Davids Urges Leaders to Include Support for Small Manufacturers and Domestic Supply Chains in Budget Package

Today, Representative Sharice Davids took a stand for small businesses, urging Congressional leaders to use the upcoming budget reconciliation package to increase access to capital for small manufacturers. Davids called for the inclusion of policies like the SUPPLIES Act, which was inspired by the story of a Lenexa-based manufacturer, to ensure small manufacturers can secure the financing they need to succeed long-term.

As Chair of the House Small Business Subcommittee on Economic Growth, Tax, and Capital Access, Davids has introduced legislation to improve access to capital and shore up domestic supply chains by harnessing the power of small businesses. The SUPPLIES Act would provide grants to small-and medium-sized manufacturers who shift their production to needed medical supplies. Davids introduced the SUPPLIES Act after hearing the story of a Lenexa-based manufacturer, Dentec Safety Specialists, and helping them secure federal funding to pivot their business and ramp up production of masks during the pandemic.

Now, Davids is calling on Congressional leaders to include similar policies in the budget package, urging her colleagues to use American innovation to help fill the gaps in production and strengthen domestic supply chains.

In a letter to the Speaker of the House, the Majority Leader, and the Chairs of the Small Business Committees in both chambers, Davids wrote: "In our district in Kansas, several businesses worked quickly to retool their production last year and help fill in the gaps in our supply chain. But one of the critical challenges that these manufacturers face is access to capital…more can be done and must be done to harness their power so that we do not face shortages in future times of crisis."

Davids also urged leaders to consider policies such as the 504 Modernization and Small Manufacturer Enhancement Act, a bipartisan bill she introduced that passed the House earlier this year. This legislation would improve the Small Business Administration's critical 504 loan program and enhance the ability of small manufacturers to access affordable capital.

"As you begin drafting the budget reconciliation bill, I urge you to consider including these pieces of legislation, or similar policies that will improve small manufacturing businesses' ability to access capital." wrote Davids. "Our nation's reliance on international manufacturers for vital emergency medical supplies proved to be an issue of national security in 2020. Going forward, we must ensure that we have a stable, diversified, and domestic supply chain of medical supplies, so that we can keep our people safe and our economy moving."

The full letter can be found here.