Representative Angie Craig Pushes for Expedited House Passage of Comprehensive Supply Chain and China Competitiveness Legislation

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, U.S. Representative Angie Craig joined a group of her New Democrat Coalition colleagues in pushing for swift passage of the newly unveiled America Creating Opportunities for Manufacturing, Pre-Eminence in Technology, and Economic Strength (COMPETES) Act. The legislation aims to increase U.S. competitiveness with China and support the American chip industry, which would help to address supply chain bottlenecks and lower prices for working Americans.

"With the House introduction of the America COMPETES Act… we are writing to ask that you bring that bill to a vote as soon as possible when we return to Washington," the Members wrote. "This legislation deserves a place at the top of the agenda, and we thank you for your ongoing commitment to see it passed."

"We continue to hear from constituents who are rightly concerned about supply chain backlogs and the rising price of goods," the members continued. "By passing this important bill, we can deliver for Americans on these important priorities while promoting job creation, reducing long-term inflation, and ensuring America's workers, farmers, ranchers, manufacturers, and businesses can compete on a level playing field with China and other nations."

The 25 members of the New Democrat Coalition who signed the open letter to Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi and House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer emphasized the importance that this comprehensive legislation will have in addressing concerns raised by theirs constituents – including higher prices, supply chain disruptions and availability of semiconductors and other critical consumer goods.

Craig was joined in signing the letter by Representatives Cindy Axne (IA-03), Carolyn Bourdeaux (GA-07), Sean Casten (IL-06), Madeleine Dean (PA-04), Veronica Escobar (TX-16), Steven Horsford (NV-04), Chrissy Houlahan (PA-06), Susie Lee (NV-03), Derek Kilmer (WA-06), Tom Malinowski (NJ-07), Kathy Manning (NC-06), Lucy McBath (GA-06), Frank J. Mrvan (IN-01), Tom O'Halleran (AZ-01), Dean Phillips (MN-03), Scott Peters (CA-52), Kathleen Rice (NY-04), Deborah Ross (NC-02), Kim Schrier (WA-08), Brad Schneider (IL-10), Elissa Slotkin (MI-08), Haley Stevens (MI-11), David Trone (MD-06) and Susan Wild (PA-07).

You can find the full text of the letter here and below.

January 26, 2022

Dear Speaker Pelosi, Majority Leader Hoyer,

As we continue our work to create jobs, grow our economy, cut costs, and strengthen our supply chains, we are grateful for your work to reach a final agreement and pass legislation bolstering American competitiveness. With the House introduction of the America COMPETES Act in response to the Senate-passed U.S. Innovation and Competition Act (USICA) this week, we are writing to ask that you bring that bill to a vote as soon as possible when we return to Washington.

This legislation deserves a place at the top of the agenda, and we thank you for your ongoing commitment to see it passed. We continue to hear from constituents who are rightly concerned about supply chain backlogs and the rising price of goods. Ensuring a strong American manufacturing industry will not only help provide good-paying jobs, it will also make our economy more resilient from these disruptions in the future. It is incumbent upon us to take swift action in response to these concerns, and to seize a once-in-a-generation opportunity to set the course for America's economic future.

Now is the time for Congress to strengthen U.S. supply chains, invest in innovative scientific research, and ensure America leads the rules-based international order and global economy well into the future. By passing this important bill, we can deliver for Americans on these important priorities while promoting job creation, reducing long-term inflation, and ensuring America's workers, farmers, ranchers, manufacturers, and businesses can compete on a level playing field with China and other nations.

We also note the importance of including full funding for the CHIPS Act in any final innovation package. This critical funding will increase domestic manufacturing and strengthen supply chains for microchips and semiconductors, critical technologies for cars, electronics, computers and other essential items in the lives of our constituents.

We stand ready to help in any way we can, and thank you again for your commitment to reaching a final agreement on this legislation and advancing it to the President's desk.

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