SW Iowa Times

Rep. Cindy Axne, along with Reps. Schneider and Krishnamoorthi, introduced new legislation to address supply chain bottlenecks and disruptions.

"Strengthening our supply chains doesn't just happen at ports & rail-yards. It also happens at the U.S. manufacturers who make critical components here at home," Axne said in a Twitter post Jan. 25.

The Supply Chain Resiliency Act aims to all supply chain bottlenecks and also invests in American companies to prevent any disruptions in the future, according to a release from Axne. This will ensure that the country will no longer have to rely on long supply chains and all critical products are made within America itself. 

"In Iowa and across the country, we've seen the impact that disruptions in our global supply chain can have on our families and the local businesses that they own and rely on," Axne said. "Those same businesses, with the right investments and support, can provide more good-paying jobs, help our communities rely more on goods we make here in America, and avoid the costly bottlenecks that are raising costs for middle class families."

Axne's Supply Chain Solutions Agenda includes four bipartisan bills she has co-sponsored. One of those, MADE HERE Act, is to establish a manufacturing cluster program to address manufacturing issues such as the again manufacturing workforce with no new generation rising up to replace them and the shortage of manufacturing and technology educators. 

"I'm proud to work with Rep. Axne in introducing this essential bill to strengthen America's supply chain resiliency," Schneider said in the release.

The bipartisan bill requires the National Institute of Standards and Technology, the Department of Energy and the Department of Defense to establish a manufacturing cluster program to award resources and grants to eligible entities.