NCC Joins Manufacturing Coalition on Need for U.S. PPE Industry

By Cotton Grower Staff|January 29, 2021

The National Cotton Council has joined a coalition of industry organizations and labor unions – representing manufacturers and workers who stepped up to make essential PPE and other products throughout the COVID-19 pandemic – in sending a letter to President Biden and congressional leaders outlining recommendations on specific policy initiatives needed to re-establish a permanent PPE industry in the United States.

The letters were sent on January 29.

The joint letter noted, “The heroic efforts of the U.S. textile industry and its exemplary workforce throughout this crisis clearly demonstrate that domestic industry has the technical capabilities and capacity to make the United States self-sufficient in terms of our national PPE needs. However, the permanence of this [industry] is dependent on the development of government policies designed to help domestic manufacturers survive the current economic crisis and incentivize the long-term investment needed to bring PPE production back onshore. If appropriate policies are not implemented, the valuable and substantial progress made over the past year to onshore a vibrant PPE industry will evaporate in the face of China’s global manufacturing dominance in the PPE sector.”

The associations are requesting that President Biden and Congress adopt the policy recommendations outlined in the letter through legislation, executive order and other appropriate means.

The coalition sent a letter to President Biden and a second letter to Senate Majority Leader Charles Schumer (D-NY), Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY), Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) and House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) outlining these requests.

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