Malliotakis Introduces Legislation to Revitalize U.S. Medical Manufacturing

(WASHINGTON, DC) - Congresswoman Nicole Malliotakis, along with Rep. Maria Salazar (R-FL-27), Rep. Ritchie Torres (D-NY-15), Rep. Jeff Hurd (R-CO-03), and Rep. Darren Soto (D-FL-09) introduced The Medical Manufacturing, Economic Development, and Sustainability (MMEDS) Act to revitalize domestic medical manufacturing. The legislation aims to strengthen production by offering federal tax benefits and other incentives to pharmaceutical manufacturers that operate in the United States or relocate their facilities to U.S. soil, with a particular focus on economically distressed areas across the nation and its territories.

This legislation will secure the U.S. medical supply chain, restore economic well-being, and protect America's patients. The COVID-19 pandemic demonstrated that our health, economic, and national security are at risk because of our dependency on foreign jurisdictions to manufacture vital medical supplies. The MMEDS Actencourages U.S. companies to re-shore operations from nations deemed to pose a risk to U.S. medical preparedness into economically distressed zones within the United States by providing a dollar-for-dollar credit against Federal taxes to U.S. companies for the wages and capital investments made in distressed zones, and for purchases made by a manufacturer from within a distressed zone. An economically distressed zone is defined as an area that has historically suffered from pervasive poverty, unemployment, and low labor force participation, resulting in a prolonged period of economic decline.

The MMEDS Act would also establish a BARDA-led public-private Strategic Initiative to drive innovation and the development of advanced population health medicines, while also providing tax incentives to encourage such innovation in economically distressed areas.

"I am proud to introduce the bipartisan MMEDS Act to bring medical manufacturing to the United States and revitalize an industry that once thrived in regions such as Puerto Rico," said Rep. Nicole Malliotakis. "The COVID-19 pandemic made clear the urgent need to restore our domestic supply chain so that we are not dependent on adversaries like Communist China for critical pharmaceutical and medical supplies needed by America's hospitals and patients. The support of my colleagues representing different corners of the nation demonstrates the broad, bipartisan recognition that strengthening our medical supply chain is a national priority. I also thank Puerto Rico's Governor Jenniffer González-Colón for her leadership and partnership in advancing this important initiative."

“As recently as 2019, data has shown that the United States imports nearly two-thirds of its medicines and medical supplies from Europe and Asia. This must change,” said Rep. Maria Salazar. “The MMEDS Act will prioritize American manufacturing and restore our medical supply chain while creating jobs and economic growth in Florida, Puerto Rico, and across the country.”

“I am proud to co-sponsor the MMEDS Act, which will provide tax incentives to bring medical manufacturing to rural areas in my district,” said Rep. Jeff Hurd. “This legislation will help grow manufacturing industries and support the development of advanced health medicines in Colorado’s 3rd District.”

“It is an honor to be an original cosponsor of the Medical Manufacturing, Economic Development, and Sustainability (MMEDS) Act from Rep. Nicole Malliotakis, who is continuing Gov. Jennifer González-Colón's critical legislation to strengthen our nation’s medical supply chain from the previous Congress. This bill is particularly important for Puerto Rico and would help revitalize the island’s pharmaceutical manufacturing sector, create good-paying jobs, and support long-term economic growth.” Rep. Ritchie Torres

“I thank my dear friend Congresswoman Nicole Malliotakis for her leadership in reintroducing the MMEDS Act in the 119th Congress. This legislation supports bringing critical medical manufacturing back to American soil, including in Puerto Rico, fostering economic growth and job creation in economically distressed areas. It authorizes targeted tax credits tied to investment and repatriation of medical manufacturing companies, thus prioritizing measured incentives for work undertaken in the U.S. and safeguarding our supply chain. Our country has the infrastructure, expertise, and workforce needed to remain a leader in innovation, technology, and manufacturing. In the case of Puerto Rico, we host some of the main global medical and pharmaceutical manufacturing companies, paired with a highly trained and specialized workforce that abides by American standards for safety and quality. I look forward to continue working with Congresswoman Malliotakis, who has seen first-hand the manufacturing capabilities in Puerto Rico and the rest of the country, and Representatives Salazar, Torres, Hurd and Soto to get this bipartisan bill across the finish line,” said Governor Jenniffer González-Colón.

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.

View the Bill text HERE.

The MMEDS Act was originally introduced by then Resident Commissioner of Puerto Rico, Jenniffer González-Colón in the 118th Congress.