U.S. Rep. Larry Bucshon (R-IN) on May 19 sponsored legislation that would require the U.S. Commerce Secretary to conduct a study on new and advanced materials, which are specifically used in America’s manufacturing, research and national defense sectors.
“As technology continues to advance,” said Rep. Bucshon, “it is important that we support the development and use of new and advanced materials in the United States to improve our competitiveness in the global marketplace, which will support our economy and national security.”
Rep. Bucshon introduced the Advancing New and Advanced Materials Study Act, H.R. 6927, which also would promote a national strategy on the development and adoption of new advanced materials, according to the congressman, who noted that his home state of Indiana is home to more than 540,000 manufacturing jobs, which contribute over $102 billion to the gross state product.
“The COVID-19 pandemic has revealed a number of vulnerabilities to the United States’ manufacturing sector’s supply chain, including our reliance on China,” Rep. Bucshon added. “This legislation would help identify and mitigate risks to the supply chain and put forward recommendations on how to best address them and beat China.”
The legislation has been referred for consideration to the U.S. House Energy and Commerce Committee; the U.S. House Science, Space, and Technology Committee; and the U.S. House Foreign Affairs Committee.