Loeffler, Ernst, Cruz Introduce BEAT CHINA Act; Legislation Will Incentivize Pharmaceutical, Medical Device and Supply Manufacturers to Relocate to the United States

Press Release

U.S. Senators Kelly Loeffler (R-Ga.), Joni Ernst (R-Iowa) and Ted Cruz (R-Texas) introduced the Bring Entrepreneurial Advancements to Consumers Here In North America (BEAT CHINA) Act to incentivize pharmaceutical and medical device and supply manufacturers to relocate to the United States.

The bill is part of the "Made in the USA" pillar of Loeffler's USA Restoring and Igniting the Strength of our Economy (USA RISE Plan). This is the Senate companion to the BEAT CHINA Act (H.R. 6690).

"For too long, our manufacturing has moved overseas, taking American jobs, jeopardizing our supply chains and forcing us to depend on competitors," Senator Loeffler said. "The COVID-19 pandemic has shown us just how dangerous it is to rely so heavily on other countries, including China, for critical, life-saving products like drugs and medical devices as well as supplies like gowns, masks and swabs. It is time we incentivize companies to bring those factories and jobs back to the United States."

"The COVID-19 pandemic has been what I call a "great awakening' when it comes to the vulnerabilities in our supply chain. It's clear now, maybe more than ever, that our nation has become all too dependent on the Communist Party of China for items like PPE, prescription drugs, and other essential medical supplies. We need to fix that," said Senator Ernst. "While China is our trade partner, there's no doubt we can find ways to produce and manufacture goods and supplies right here in the US, and this bill is good step toward that end."

"Mouthpieces of the Chinese Communist Party have threatened to cut off U.S. access to life-saving pharmaceutical products," Senator Cruz said. "Because so much of our medical supply and manufacturing has been outsourced to China, this is a credible threat that if they were to follow through on, would be not just economic warfare but real warfare, endangering American lives. I've called for structural, and bold initiatives to address our dependencies on China, and am proud to join my colleagues on this important measure to bring medical manufacturing and development back to our shores."