Blunt Rochester: "Competition Bill About Our Health, Our Wealth, And Our National Security."

Statement

Today, Congresswoman Lisa Blunt Rochester addressed the conference committee of House and Senate members as they worked to reach an agreement on the Bipartisan Innovation Act through the reconciliation of the House-passed America COMPETES Act and the Senate-passed United States Innovation and Competition Act (USICA.)

"Our American spirit, history, and heritage is one of being pioneers, entrepreneurs, and innovators. But over the decades and due to the pandemic, we have witnessed long-developing weaknesses in our infrastructure and supply chains, resulting in shortages and increasing costs," said Blunt Rochester. "Through the bipartisan infrastructure law, we addressed our aging infrastructure and broadband, and now it is time to address our national competitiveness and security."

"This competition package is about our health, our wealth, and our national security, and I am proud to have led the bipartisan supply chain resilience subtitle in the America Competes Act to protect us from facing these threats again," continued Blunt Rochester.

The conference committee is working to produce a bipartisan bill that can pass both chambers of Congress and be sent to President Biden's desk. Blunt Rochester's priority is ensuring that the supply chain resilience subtitle included in the America COMPETES Act are included in any final package.

Blunt Rochester's full remarks can be found below and full video of her remarks can be found here.

"Thank you, Chair Cantwell. Thank you to the Speaker and to my generous E&C (Energy & Commerce) colleagues and everyone here for your contributions to the historic and vital package.

Our American spirit, history, and heritage is one of being pioneers, entrepreneurs, and innovators. But over the decades and due to the pandemic, we have witnessed long-developing weaknesses in our infrastructure and supply chains, resulting in shortages and increasing costs. Through the bipartisan infrastructure law, we addressed our aging infrastructure and broadband, and now it is time to address our national competitiveness and security.

From COVID masks being sold for over $100 a piece or nurses wearing trash bags because they don't have the gowns or delays in getting a car or no baby formula on the shelves in our supermarkets. These shortages and supply chain disruptions have a ripple effect in every facet of our economy, contributing to rising costs and inflation.

This competition package is about our health, our wealth, and our national security, and I am proud to have led the bipartisan supply chain resilience subtitle in the America COMPETES Act to protect us from facing these threats again -- a focus on jobs, research, manufacturing, and quality of life.

And if we can make it in America, let's make it in America. These supply chain provisions have the support of over 150 organizations, from labor to industry. And as the bipartisan Future of Work Caucus chair, with this package, we have an opportunity to propel our country into a prosperous future.

Let's get it done. Thank you, Madam Chair. And I yield back."

Source