Davids, Alford Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Protect America’s Medical Supply Chains, Support Kansas City Innovation

Today, U.S. Representatives Sharice Davids (D-KS-03) and Mark Alford (R-MO-04) introduced the Critical Biomanufacturing Input Assessment Act. It’s a bipartisan bill that would help strengthen America’s biotechnology supply chains, support the growing medical industry in the Kansas City region, and address growing concerns about U.S. reliance on foreign suppliers — including China — for critical materials needed to produce medicines and other health products.

“Kansas City is creating the next generation of medicines, health products, and technologies that improve people’s lives — and we need to make sure American companies have the supplies they need to succeed,” said Davids. “This bipartisan bill will help us identify weaknesses in our supply chains, reduce our dependence on countries like China, strengthen American manufacturing, and create good-paying jobs while lowering healthcare costs. I appreciate Representative Alford’s partnership on this important, bipartisan effort.”

“As we work to bring more manufacturing back to American soil, we must ensure our biotechnology supply chains are secure, transparent and resilient,” said Congressman Mark Alford (R-MO-04). “This commonsense, bipartisan legislation will help identify vulnerabilities, reduce reliance on foreign adversaries like China, and protect the critical materials needed to produce lifesaving medicines and animal health products. I’m proud to partner with Representative Davids to strengthen innovation in the Kansas City region and safeguard our nation’s health and economic security.”

Many products that Americans rely on — including medicines, vaccines, and animal health products — are made using biotechnology. But many companies do not have a clear picture of where the materials and equipment they depend on come from. Some critical supplies are made overseas, including in China, creating potential risks for our economy and national security. This bill will help identify these vulnerabilities before a disruption occurs.

The Critical Biomanufacturing Input Assessment Act would require the Department of Commerce to regularly review America’s reliance on foreign sources for important biotechnology supplies and equipment.

The information collected through this review would help:

• Identify potential supply chain problems before they become emergencies;
• Help businesses make better decisions about where to source materials;
• Encourage more companies to manufacture critical supplies in the United States; and
• Strengthen America’s ability to compete in the global biotechnology industry. 

The Kansas City region is one of the country’s fastest-growing biotechnology hubs. It is home to the KC BioHub, a partnership focused on making Kansas City a national leader in biotechnology research, innovation, and manufacturing. The region is also home to the Kansas City Animal Health Corridor, one of the largest concentrations of animal health companies in the world.

These companies and research institutions rely on specialized supplies and equipment to develop products that improve human and animal health. Making sure those supply chains are strong and reliable is critical to their continued success.

Davids has been a strong supporter of expanding Kansas City’s biotechnology industry. She helped champion the region’s application for the federal Regional Technology and Innovation Hub program and has worked with KC BioHub and other local partners to support investments in biotechnology, workforce development, and advanced manufacturing.