U.S. MADE Act Will Reduce Reliance on China for Masks and Other Supplies Needed to Fight the Pandemic
WASHINGTON, D.C. —Today, U. S. Representatives David B. McKinley, P.E. (R-W.Va.) and David Trone (D-M.D.) introduced the U.S. MADE Act of 2020 to decrease the United States dependency on foreign countries like China for critical Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) that health care workers and other frontline heroes rely on.
The spread of COVID has shown that the United States is too reliant on China and other foreign nations for PPE and other vital health care equipment. This dependence threatens both our economic and national security.
“The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the fact that we rely on nations like China far too much for our medical supply chain,” said Rep. McKinley. “The American people should not have to count on rival nations for essential products like masks, gowns, and testing swabs. This legislation would help bolster American producers and help rebuild our economy by reviving the manufacturing industry.”
“It makes no sense that we are relying on other countries, and in many cases our strategic adversaries, for the critical PPE and medical equipment we need to keep our country safe,” said Rep. David Trone. “We need to make these products in America. Resilient supply chains help our workers and our economy, and they ensure that we are ready to confront the next potential pandemic. The U.S. MADE Act will allow us to do just that. I’d like to thank Congressman McKinley for working with me on this important legislation.”
Background:
The bill is modeled after the Berry Amendment – which requires the Department of Defense to procure “Made in America” supplies when possible – and outlines PPE acquisition requirements for the Strategic National Stockpile.
The legislation also establishes an investment credit for qualifying PPE manufacturing projects. Modeled after the 48C Advanced Manufacturing Tax Credit, eligible U.S. manufacturers will receive a thirty percent credit against equipment costs associated with PPE manufacturing.
In the U.S. MADE Act items declared as national priorities include:Testing swabs, Surgical and respirator masks, , Face shields, Surgical and isolation gowns, Sanitizing and disinfecting wipes, Gauzes and bandages, Privacy curtains, beds, and bedding.
This bill is the House companion to the U.S. MADE Act of 2020 introduced by Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.