Ernst, Blunt-Rochester introduce act to reduce foreign supply chain dependency
Senators from both sides of the aisle are coming together to address the issue of onshoring supply chains and boosting the U.S. workforce. Senate Small Business & Entrepreneurship Committee chairwoman Joni Ernst, a Republican from Iowa, and Sen. Lisa Blunt Rochester, a Democrat from Delaware, have introduced a resolution calling on Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick to identify new sites and critical infrastructure for high-demand products that are not currently made in America.
The Critical Infrastructure Manufacturing Feasibility Act, as proposed by Ernst and Blunt Rochester, would require Lutnick to report within 18 months on critical infrastructure sectors where products face material, sourcing, or supply-chain constraints that prevent them from being domestically produced. The Commerce Department would then analyze the feasibility of producing these products in the U.S. and consider establishing production in underserved rural areas and industrial parks.
Both Iowa and Delaware, the home states of Ernst and Blunt Rochester, are largely rural areas with growing industrial sectors. In Delaware, cities like Newark and Middletown have seen an increase in industrial parks and warehouses, attracting major companies like Amazon due to the state’s low-tax environment.
Blunt Rochester emphasized the importance of supply chains in global competitiveness and national security. She believes that identifying areas where the U.S. relies too heavily on foreign imports for critical infrastructure is crucial for bringing manufacturing back to American soil.
Ernst echoed these sentiments, stating that reducing dependence on foreign adversaries for critical infrastructure and preserving key manufacturing supply chains is essential. She aims to make “Made in America” the standard rather than the exception, ensuring that manufacturers can source materials domestically and safeguarding national security.
In addition to the Critical Infrastructure Manufacturing Feasibility Act, Ernst has also led efforts to onshore the pharmaceutical supply chain from China. With many key ingredients for medicines sourced from Ireland and China, concerns about national security risks have been raised due to China’s involvement in the supply chain.
By focusing on reshoring critical manufacturing processes and supply chains, Ernst and Blunt Rochester hope to strengthen American industry, support local economies, and enhance national resilience in the face of global disruptions. Their bipartisan effort seeks to address the challenges of foreign dependency and bolster domestic production for a more secure and self-reliant future.
As the discussion around onshoring supply chains continues to evolve, the collaboration between senators from different political backgrounds highlights the bipartisan commitment to revitalizing American manufacturing and ensuring a more sustainable future for the U.S. economy.
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