WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Representatives Annie Kuster (NH-02), Mariannette Miller-Meeks, M.D. (IA-01), Abigail Spanberger (VA-07) Larry Bucshon, M.D. (IN-08), Kim Schrier, M.D. (WA-08) and Bill Johnson (OH-06) today introduced the Critical Infrastructure Manufacturing Feasibility Act, legislation that would direct the Secretary of Commerce to conduct a study on the feasibility of manufacturing more goods in the United States, in particular, products that are key to our critical infrastructure sectors.

 

“By manufacturing more goods right here at home and in our rural communities, we can strengthen our economy, secure our supply chains, and protect critical industries from foreign interference. It’s a win-win-win,” said Representative Kuster. “I am proud to help introduce this legislation to ensure we increase domestic manufacturing and build a brighter future for all.”

“We can no longer let countries, like China, dictate our flow of goods and disrupt our economy,” said Representative Miller-Meeks, M.D. “The Critical Infrastructure Manufacturing Feasibility Act not only protects the United States from global supply chain issues, but it also determines which rural communities are best suited to manufacture products right here in America.”

 

“Our country is stronger when the products the American people buy and the materials that build up our critical infrastructure are made in the USA,” said Representative Spanberger. “When American workers make our goods on American assembly lines, we keep innovation, economic growth, and success on our shores. Virginia is a leader in manufacturing, and this legislation would help strengthen our local economies — including in our rural communities.”

“For far too long, rural communities throughout Indiana and our nation have been overlooked while products that are key to U.S. critical infrastructure sectors are produced overseas,” said Representative Bucshon, M.D. “Strengthening our domestic manufacturing capabilities will bolster our supply chain, boost our national security, and create thousands of jobs for Americans. We can no longer afford to put American critical infrastructure in the hands of China and other foreign adversaries.”

 

“There is no silver bullet solution to ongoing supply chain disruptions, but a clear understanding of what products can and should be manufactured in the United States would help greatly. The last few years have shown us that we can no longer rely on just a handful of other countries to lead the way in manufacturing critical parts and products. Especially as we look to the future and the need for renewable energy sources, domestic sourcing and manufacturing will be a national security issue,” said Representative Schrier, M.D. “I'm proud to reintroduce this commonsense, bipartisan bill that will allow us to make evidence-based, thoughtful decisions about the role domestic manufacturing will play in the years ahead.” 

 

“I’m proud to co-lead the bipartisan Critical Infrastructure Manufacturing Feasibility Act. As we learned all too well during the Covid pandemic, having strong manufacturing supply chains is the best way to protect America from global supply disruptions. Importantly, this legislation includes feasibility studies for manufacturing products in rural communities and industrial parks – of which there are many in Eastern Ohio. This is an effort that will only be successful if every region of our country is involved,” said Representative  Johnson.

Read the full bill text here. 

Background:

The Critical Infrastructure Manufacturing Feasibility Act directs the Secretary of Commerce to conduct a study identifying critical infrastructure imported goods in high demand, costs of manufacturing those goods in the U.S., and includes feasibility studies for manufacturing these products in rural communities, industrial parks and industrial parks in rural areas. This must be reported to Congress within 18 months of the bill’s full passage.