Hudson Bills Passed by House to Strengthen PPE Stockpile, Telecommunications Supply Chains

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Two bipartisan bills introduced by U.S. Representative Richard Hudson (NC-08) were passed by the U.S. House of Representatives today.

 

H.R. 3635, the Strengthening America's Strategic National Stockpile Act, will reduce America’s dependence on foreign sources of critical medical supplies, including personal protective equipment (PPE), boost domestic manufacturing to make those supplies in the United States, and make much-needed improvements and updates to our Strategic National Stockpile (SNS).

 

"The COVID-19 pandemic has exposed the dangers of relying on foreign countries for needed medical supplies," said Rep. Hudson, the House Republican leader on pandemic preparedness issues. "Strengthening our stockpile of PPE and domestic manufacturing has never been more important for our economy and our national security."

 

Members of the health industry praised passage of H.R. 3635.

 

"Medical products distributors have the infrastructure and expertise to help the Federal government improve our nation’s preparedness for future health emergencies," said Matthew J. Rowan, President & CEO of the Health Industry Distributors Association. "Representatives Slotkin, Hudson, Schrier and McKinley are showing true bipartisan leadership by proposing to expand the use of public-private partnerships to strengthen the stockpiling and distribution of critical supplies."

 

H.R. 4032, the Open RAN Outreach Act, also passed the U.S. House. The bill strengthens telecommunications supply chains and helps protect small and rural communications providers from Chinese Communist Party (CCP)-backed companies, such as Huawei, and other bad actors.

 

"Protecting our supply chains and pushing back against China are more critical than ever before, especially for our vulnerable telecommunications networks," said Rep. Hudson. "By passing H.R. 4032, we can encourage a competitive market of trusted vendors to expand network access across our country."

 

Prior to the vote before the U.S. House, Rep. Hudson spoke on the House floor to encourage passage of both bills. Watch his remarks here.