Critical Infrastructure Manufacturing Feasibility Act
Floor Speech
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Mrs. MILLER-MEEKS. Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleague, Representative Bilirakis, for yielding me time to enthusiastically support my legislation, H.R. 5390, the Critical Infrastructure Manufacturing Feasibility Act.
As we gather on the House floor, the urgency of this legislation has only intensified since its consideration in committee, and the challenges facing our manufacturing sector grow more acute. The global supply chain disruptions that have plagued us in recent years, especially during the pandemic, have not abated. If anything, they have deepened.
Record-level inflation and the specter of foreign adversaries exerting undue influence over our vital industries loom even larger. Our dependence on foreign sources for critical goods is a vulnerability we can ill afford. The concentration of supply chains in the hands of nations like China or the Chinese Communist Party leaves us exposed to the whims of geopolitical forces beyond our control. It imperils not just our economic prosperity but our national security, as well.
In the face of these threats, the imperative for action is clear. We must strengthen our domestic supply chain resiliency, bolstering our capacity to manufacture essential goods right here at home.
H.R. 5390 represents a crucial step in this direction. By directing the Secretary of Commerce to explore the feasibility of manufacturing critical infrastructure goods within our borders, particularly in rural communities like those in Iowa, this bill charts a course toward greater self-reliance and security.
Let us be clear: This is not just about mitigating risk. It is about seizing opportunity. By investing in domestic manufacturing, we can revitalize communities, create good-paying jobs, and unleash the innovative potential of the American workforce.
This legislation is not a panacea, nor does it claim to be. It is a starting point, a declaration of our intent to reclaim control over our economic destiny. It is a vital starting point, one that merits our full-throated support.
I am proud to have joined forces with my colleagues in introducing this bipartisan bill. Let us stand together in support of H.R. 5390, and in doing so, let us reaffirm our commitment to the strength and resilience of the American economy.
Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to join me in voting for this critical legislation.
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