Davids Named to Conference Committee for Major Supply Chain Legislation

Today, Representative Sharice Davids was named to the conference committee for the major economic package aimed at strengthening supply chains, reducing inflation, and increasing America's global competitiveness. The committee is a bipartisan group of Senators and Members of Congress tasked with negotiating a final package to send to the President's desk. Davids was named as a House conferee for the Small Business Committee.

"I'm grateful for the opportunity to continue working with my colleagues on this legislation, which is aimed squarely at fixing our supply chains, lowering costs, and making more here at home," said Davids. "We've relied on goods made in other countries for too long, and Kansans are paying the price. I stand ready to work with people in both parties to invest in American manufacturing and workers—particularly our small businesses."

Davids has been a leader on the House version of the bill, the America COMPETES Act, securing an amendment that would ensure small and mid-sized manufacturers are considered in upgrades to our medical supply chain, not just big corporations. She recently met with President Biden to emphasize the need to pass this package and address rising costs by making more goods in America.

This comprehensive economic package contains several priorities for Davids, including historic investments in domestic semiconductor "chip" production. Davids has visited several local businesses impacted by the shortage, including the Fairfax General Motors plant that went idle for months last year and local medical device suppliers who have been struggling to serve patients. Additionally, the bill includes resources to strengthen supply chains, reduce inflation, and promote American global leadership at a critical time. Increased competition from China has cost the U.S. approximately 985,000 manufacturing jobs between 1999 and 2011.

ICYMI: Rep. Davids spoke on the House floor last month about her amendment and addressing rising costs by supporting American small businesses:

Watch Rep. Davids' speech on YouTube here.

Along with her amendment to the COMPETES Act, Davids also introduced the SUPPLIES Act, which would create a grant program for small and medium manufacturers that shift their production to manufacture PPE and testing supplies during future public health emergencies. The legislation is inspired by the story of Lenexa-based manufacturer Dentec Safety Specialists, who Davids helped secure federal funding to pivot their business and fill the shortage of masks during the pandemic.