Three Congressional Bills Push for USA-Made PPE in the National Stockpile

In late July 2020, lawmakers in both parties introduced bills to require that protective equipment for the Strategic National Stockpile be made in the USA, Sourcing Journal reported on July 31.

The bills

• U.S. MADE Act from Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.): strict purchasing requirements for PPE and a manufacturing tax credit. Graham said the credit would total $7.5 billion for companies that make gowns, masks, gloves, bedding and swabs.
• American PPE Supply Chain Integrity Act from Reps. Patrick McHenry (R-N.C.) and Bill Pascrell Jr. (D-N.J.): a bipartisan bill to end USA reliance on PPE made in China.
• Protecting American Heroes Act from Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio): would require all supplies in the stockpile to be made in the USA, with some exceptions, and would require domestic suppliers to give notice before going out of business.

Graham spoke after touring the Parkdale Mills plant in Gaffney, South Carolina. He said his bill would treat PPE the way the Berry Amendment treats military uniforms. His stated goal was a stockpile made up entirely of USA-made PPE within five years.

“My legislation would put PPE manufacturing under the Berry Amendment so our strategic stockpile would have to be made up of American-made PPE.”

Sen. Lindsey Graham

FAQ

Which bills were introduced?

The U.S. MADE Act, the American PPE Supply Chain Integrity Act and the Protecting American Heroes Act.

What tax credit did Graham propose?

A $7.5 billion credit for PPE makers.

What is the goal?

A stockpile made up entirely of USA-made PPE.