S.998 - Medical Supply Chain Resiliency Act (119th Congress)
Summary
S.998, the Medical Supply Chain Resiliency Act, aims to authorize the President to enter into trade agreements that reciprocally eliminate duties or other import restrictions on medical goods. The goal is to bolster national security and public health by diversifying the United States' medical supply chains and reducing reliance on potentially unreliable foreign suppliers. The bill outlines findings related to the COVID-19 pandemic's impact on medical supply chains and emphasizes the need for resilient trade relationships.
Expected Effects
If enacted, this bill would allow the President to negotiate trade agreements focused on medical goods with 'trusted trade partners'. This could lead to lower costs for medical supplies, increased supply chain security, and greater international cooperation in medical research and development. It also establishes congressional oversight mechanisms to ensure transparency and accountability in the negotiation and implementation of these trade agreements.
Potential Benefits
- Enhanced medical supply chain resilience, reducing dependence on single or unreliable sources.
- Potential for lower costs of medical goods due to reduced or eliminated tariffs.
- Increased international collaboration in medical research and development.
- Greater access to government procurement markets for medical goods from trusted partners.
- Diversification of supplier networks, ensuring a more reliable supply of medical goods during emergencies.
Potential Disadvantages
- Potential for job losses in domestic medical goods manufacturing if foreign competition increases.
- Risk of lowering standards for medical goods if agreements prioritize cost over quality.
- Possible negative impacts on countries not designated as 'trusted trade partners'.
- Increased reliance on foreign countries for essential medical supplies.
- Complex negotiation and implementation processes, potentially leading to delays and inefficiencies.
Constitutional Alignment
The bill aligns with the Constitution's Commerce Clause (Article I, Section 8, Clause 3), which grants Congress the power to regulate commerce with foreign nations. It also implicitly relates to the President's role in foreign affairs (Article II, Section 2). The congressional oversight provisions (Section 6) ensure that Congress retains its constitutional role in regulating trade and foreign policy. The bill does not appear to infringe upon any individual rights or liberties protected by the Bill of Rights.
Impact Assessment: Things You Care About ⓘ
This action has been evaluated across 19 key areas that matter to you. Scores range from 1 (highly disadvantageous) to 5 (highly beneficial).