Rep. Griffith introduces legislation ensuring domestically-produced PPE

U.S. Rep. Morgan Griffith (R-VA) has introduced legislation requiring the federal government to partner with domestic personal protective equipment (PPE) manufacturers to ensure a supply during national emergencies.

The Domestic Security Using Production Partnerships and Lessons from Yesterday (SUPPLY) Act would require eligible domestic manufacturers to be based in America, manufacture 100 percent of the products supplied domestically, and be majority owned and operated by U.S. citizens.

“The United States should never again be dependent upon foreign suppliers of personal protective equipment during an emergency like the coronavirus pandemic,” Griffith said. “Americans have the knowledge and the skills to manufacture sufficient quality PPE, and our national security and public health demand that we have a stable domestic supply of this equipment. My bill would direct the federal government to build up domestic manufacture of PPE, so we are prepared for the next emergency, not reliant upon foreign suppliers such as in Asia.”

David Thornhill, president and owner of Salem, Virginia-based Integrated Textile Solutions, said the COVID-19 pandemic has demonstrated the importance of domestic manufacturing of masks and other protective equipment.

“The federal government should be looking to our country’s homegrown businesses to meet this need, not abroad,” he said. “The Domestic SUPPLY Act would encourage production of quality protective gear in the United States and support an industry essential to fighting this pandemic and future emergencies.”

American Mask Manufacturer’s Association Executive Director Nicolas Smit said the legislation would prioritize America’s interests over China’s.

“The manufacturers and entrepreneurs that listened to the call to help save America in 2020 by creating a robust domestic mask industry and over 8,000 jobs will now be able to help save Americans and bring back the 6,000 plus jobs that were lost in 2021.”