Stauber Introduces Legislation to End Chinese Control Over Pharmaceutical Supply Chain

HERMANTOWN, MN – As Americans face pharmaceutical and medical supply shortages amid the COVID-19 pandemic, Congressman Pete Stauber (MN-08) has responded to this crisis by introducing bipartisan legislation that will require federal agencies to purchase drugs made in the United States. In doing so, the Securing America's Pharmaceutical Supply Chain Act will reduce dependence on unreliable nations like China for the pharmaceuticals needed to save American lives.

Of this legislation, Congressman Stauber stated, "COVID-19 has exposed the dangers of our reliance on China and other foreign nations for the medications so many Americans depend on. This pandemic is a harsh wakeup call. I believe most Americans will no longer tolerate China's tight grip over our pharmaceutical supply chain and are demanding change. That's why I am proud to introduce bipartisan legislation that will require federal agencies to purchase American-made drugs, rebuilding the American pharmaceutical supply chain and strengthening our national security by extension. I know this is a top priority of the Trump Administration, and I look forward to helping them succeed in this critical mission."

Stauber introduced this legislation with Congressman John Garamendi (D-CA). Of this legislation, Garamendi stated, "The coronavirus pandemic underscored the risks of America's dependence on China to manufacture the pharmaceuticals we depend on. Rep. Stauber's legislation will end China's chokehold on the global pharmaceutical market and create new middle-class jobs in the process. I'm proud to cosponsor this critically important legislation and will work to ensure it becomes law."

The introduction of this legislation comes after the Trump Administration pledged its commitment to increasing American-Made laws and encouraging more American manufacturing of pharmaceuticals.

China is one of the top producers of active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs), which are the basic components of antibiotics and other prescription drugs. Foreign export bans on these drugs and drug components amid the COVID-19 pandemic has further exposed the dangers of dependence on foreign nations that do not always have Americans' interest at heart.

This legislation compliments Stauber's Securing America's Critical Minerals Supply Chain Act, which was introduced last week and will strengthen America's critical minerals supply chain. Read more HERE.

Read the Securing America's Pharmaceutical Supply Chain Act HERE.