South Cook News

U.S. Rep. Rodney Davis (R-Champaign) is set to relaunch the Congressional Supply Chain Caucus he had started with other Republican colleagues to improve the supply chain system even before the COVID-19 pandemic hit.

“Today, Americans are more aware than ever of supply-chain challenges and the need for common sense, bipartisan solutions,” Davis said in a press release. “Amidst the ongoing global supply-chain crisis, the caucus will collaborate to advance supply chain policies and approaches to benefit the country both today and into the future.”

Davis is working with Congressman David Rouzer (R-N.C.), Congressman Colin Allred (D-TX), and Congresswoman Angie Craig (D-MN) on the endeavor, with the group already sure of at least one thing.

“The best way to protect our country against foreign supply chain problems is to make more goods in America and bring manufacturing back to our shores,” Davis said. “The pandemic and the government’s response to it has contributed to this historic supply chain crisis we are currently facing, and we need a robust and expeditious response from the federal government to address it.  It’s my hope that this caucus can identify and collaborate on bipartisan solutions to address this current supply chain crisis and work to prevent future ones from occurring.”

The caucus argues every American is now being forced to pay the price.

“The ongoing global supply chain crisis is affecting every American through shipping delays and increased costs – and that assumes you can even get the product,” Rouzer said.  “There are a wide-range of factors affecting our supply chain as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. I’m proud to join my colleagues in relaunching this bipartisan caucus to help identify and drive supply chain solutions. It is imperative that government policies help improve, not hinder, the supply chain delivery system.”

The South Central Reporter has reported Davis is also one of several House Republicans to recently sign a letter to President Biden urging him to drop what they view as his administration's 'reckless tax and spending plan' and focus on supply-chain issues. 

The Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) recently announced a new training program created to prepare more local residents for roles in the state’s growing supply chain management industry.

With supply chain management being one of the fastest growing fields in the state, the Association for Supply Chain Management in partnership with DECO is now working to match residents who have become unemployed or underemployed during the COVID-19 pandemic with training for careers in supply chain management.