Malliotakis Introduces Bipartisan Legislation to Strengthen U.S. Medical & Pharmaceutical Supply Chains
(WASHINGTON, D.C.) – Congresswoman Nicole Malliotakis introduced the Medical Supply Chain Resiliency Act alongside Rep. Brad Schneider (D-IL) and Senators Chris Coons (D-DE), Thom Tillis (R-NC), John Cornyn (R-TX), and Michael Bennet (D-CO). This bicameral and bipartisan legislation would authorize the United States to negotiate Trusted Trade Partner Agreements, aimed at reducing barriers that discourage manufacturing in the U.S. and partner countries. These agreements would also promote regulatory cooperation and other key trade provisions.
To qualify as a Trusted Trade Partner, countries must demonstrate a commitment to global health security, uphold trade agreement compliance, protect U.S. intellectual property, and take steps to reduce trade barriers while promoting sound regulatory practices. Some potential candidates include Singapore, Indonesia, Ireland, Poland, and Switzerland.
The legislation aims to strengthen global medical supply chains, enhancing U.S. national security and public health while ensuring preparedness for future pandemics. It empowers the U.S. Trade Representative to negotiate Trusted Trade Partner Agreements, reducing barriers like tariffs and quotas that discourage manufacturing in the U.S. and allied nations. Additionally, it promotes regulatory cooperation and expands access to government procurement opportunities.
"If COVID taught us anything it is that it's crucial that we reduce our reliance on foreign nations, especially adversaries like Communist China, for essential lifesaving supplies such as pharmaceuticals and medical devices. Strengthening domestic production will enhance national security, ensure a stable supply of critical medications and medical equipment, and protect Americans from future disruptions," said Rep. Nicole Malliotakis.
“The Medical Supply Chain Resiliency Act is a critical step toward ensuring that America’s healthcare providers have reliable access to the essential supplies they need, by strengthening trade partnerships with our allies and expanding domestic manufacturing, we can enhance our nation’s preparedness for future health challenges. I’m proud to support this bipartisan effort to reinforce our medical supply chains and protect public health," said Senator Thom Tillis.
“During the pandemic, the U.S. faced severe shortages of medical supplies due to overreliance on foreign adversaries like China, this legislation would allow the U.S. to engage in trade negotiations with trusted allies for medical goods and services, helping ensure we’re better prepared to respond to future global health crises," said Senator John Cornyn.
“Life-threatening shortages of testing kits, drugs, and masks during the COVID-19 pandemic showed us just how fragile our medical supply chains are. If we are caught off-guard like we were during COVID once again, more Americans will die, working with our most trusted trading partners to make our supply chains more resilient will strengthen our response to future public health emergencies while ensuring health care providers have access to essential medical products and patients have access to life-saving care," said Senator Chris Coons.
“The Chamber strongly supports the Medical Supply Chain Resilience Act, which will strengthen supply chains for medical goods and services while bolstering manufacturing in the U.S. and among our close allies and partners. Enhancing the resilience of medical supply chains is important to both our public health and our national security," said the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Senior Vice President for International Policy John Murphy.
“The Medical Supply Chain Resiliency Act is the type of positive approach to trade America must embrace to deepen its economic partnerships with key allies. By empowering the United States Trade Representative to negotiate new agreements with trusted trade partners, the United States has the opportunity to strengthen supply chain security, support U.S. innovation and jobs, and, ultimately, improve health outcomes. It is critically important that the United States collaborate with its allies to support the public health demands of our populations and prepare to meet the challenges of the next global health emergency. NFTC applauds Senators Tillis, Coons, Cornyn, and Bennet for championing this legislation, and urges Congress to support its swift passage,” said National Foreign Trade Council (NFTC).
Earlier this year, Malliotakis reintroduced the Supply Chain Security and Growth Act of 2025, bipartisan legislation that would leverage Investment Tax Credits (ITCs) to facilitate a rapid movement of critical U.S. supply chains to Puerto Rico from less desirable and unreliable locations such as China with Reps. Jimmy Panetta (CA-19), Vern Buchanan (FL-16), Nydia Velazquez (NY-07), Mike Kelly (PA-16), Mike Lawler (NY-17) and Resident Commissioner Pablo Hernandez (PR-AL). |
Malliotakis is also advancing legislation with the House Committee on Ways & Means to lower the tax rate to 15% for facilities that choose to establish and manufacture in the United States, including territories like Puerto Rico, rather than overseas. |