“We need more testing supplies, more testing, and more personal protective equipment for workers on the frontlines of this pandemic.”
U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) has introduced an amendment to the National Defense Authorization Act of 2021 (NDAA) to scale up nation-wide production of the testing supplies, personal protective equipment, and medical equipment needed at the local level to address the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
Senator Baldwin’s amendment includes legislation she introduced in April with Senator Chris Murphy (D-CT). The Medical Supply Transparency and Delivery Act requires the president to utilize all available authorities under the Defense Production Act to mobilize a federal response to the pandemic through an equitable and transparent process. Key parts of Baldwin’s legislation are included in the House-passed HEROES Act, but the Republican majority in the Senate has not taken action on the legislation.
“New coronavirus cases are rising in states across the country, which means we need more testing supplies, more testing, and more personal protective equipment for workers on the frontlines of this pandemic,” said Senator Baldwin.
The NDAA is being considered on the Senate floor this week.
The full amendment is available here.
