WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Last week, Reps. Ted Budd (R-NC) and Jan Schakowsky (D-IL) introduced the Make PPE in America Act. The bill requires the Defense Logistics Agency to issue longer-term contracts to make Personal Protective Equipment in America. The Senate co-sponsors were Sens. Rob Portman (R-OH) and Gary Peters (D-MI). 
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Rep. Budd said in a statement:

“One of the biggest lessons that COVID has taught us is the importance of Made in America. In North Carolina, we’re a national leader in textile manufacturing and we have a rich history of producing high-quality products. That’s why North Carolina has been at the forefront of helping our first responders and front line medical personnel get the protective equipment they need to effectively battle the virus. As we do that, we have to boost our domestic supply chains and make sure our most important products come from our shores and not from our adversaries like China. I’m proud to be introducing a bill that does just that.”

Rep. Schakowsky said:

“The COVID-19 public health crisis has laid bare the critical need we have to ensure domestic manufacture in our supply lines. The Make PPE in America Act is a critical step towards protecting Americans and supporting the good jobs that built the American Middle Class. I thank my colleague Ted Budd, and Senators Portman and Peters, for partnering with me to advance this critical policy objective.”

National Council of Textile Organizations President and CEO Kim Glas said:

“We want to thank Congressman Budd and Congresswoman Schakowsky for introducing the ‘Make PPE in America Act’ to help onshore lifesaving PPE. This legislation establishes an important provision for ensuring the U.S. textile industry has the ability to bid on and secure long-term government contracts, which will in turn spur more investment in the United States and help establish a permanent domestic PPE supply chain.”

Read the full text of the bill HERE.