House GOP slams Biden’s agenda amid global supply chain crisis

House Republicans last week called on President Joe Biden to address the global supply chain and ports crisis before Congress considers additional social spending and taxation legislation. 

“Our priority right now should be strengthening our nation’s economy and increasing our global competitiveness,” wrote the more than 160 GOP members in an Oct. 20 letter sent to Biden. “The policies of your presidency and party’s leaders in Congress are exacerbating or simply ignoring the underlying supply chain crisis.”

Such policies include “the mishandling” of the COVID-19 response in ways that are prolonging unemployment and worker shortages, and a multi-trillion-dollar spending spree that is increasing prices for consumers, according to their letter.

“These efforts only serve to weaken American competitiveness and shrink our economy, and they will certainly ensure that this Christmas will not be merry,” wrote the lawmakers, who were led by U.S. House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Ranking Member Sam Graves (R-MO), U.S. House Natural Resources Ranking Member Bruce Westerman (R-AR), House Republican Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-CA), and U.S. House Republican Whip Steve Scalise (R-LA).

“Multiple factors have contributed to the nation’s supply chain crisis, but one factor that is being overlooked is how the collection of harmful policies being pushed by the president and his party is making matters worse – not better,” Rep. Graves said. “The president needs to lead by example, step up himself, and reevaluate his agenda that is making this supply chain crisis worse.”

U.S. Rep. Troy Balderson (R-OH), who also signed the letter, said that small businesses are struggling to find workers to fill available jobs, grappling with supply chain shortages, and facing the prospect of laying off workers who refuse to comply with President Biden’s vaccine mandate. 

“Fueling uncertainty further, the administration continues to push for a multi-trillion-dollar ‘human infrastructure’ package that would raise prices for consumers and tax businesses at a rate higher than communist China,” Rep. Balderson added.

In their letter, the GOP members urged Biden to immediately reconsider his policies, adding that despite calls from the private sector for help addressing growing supply chain issues, the Biden administration has fueled the crisis by increasing energy costs and triggering significant inflation through unchecked spending. 

“Ironically, it is now the private sector that you are calling on to “step up” and fix the supply chain problems,” they wrote.

The Republican members urged Biden to call on his congressional allies to halt discussions on the budget reconciliation bill and instead work on infrastructure solutions that focus on moving goods and people safely and efficiently throughout the United States and globally.

“While you might not be able to save this holiday season, you can reverse course and prevent further economic damage,” they wrote.