Overview
Title
An Act To establish a critical supply chain resiliency and crisis response program in the Department of Commerce, and to secure American leadership in deploying emerging technologies, and for other purposes.
ELI5 AI
H. R. 6571 is a plan to help make sure important things like how we get goods and new inventions, like robots, work better in the U.S. by having a special group keep an eye on how everything is going and make sure everyone works together nicely.
Summary AI
H. R. 6571, also known as the “Promoting Resilient Supply Chains Act of 2023,” aims to enhance the resilience and innovation of critical supply chains in the United States. It establishes a program within the Department of Commerce to monitor and model these supply chains, identify vulnerabilities, encourage consultation between various stakeholders, and support domestic manufacturing and innovation. The bill outlines responsibilities for the Assistant Secretary of Commerce, promotes cooperation with allied nations, and seeks to secure American competitiveness in emerging technologies like artificial intelligence and robotics. It also ensures sensitive information shared voluntarily under the program is protected from disclosure.
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AnalysisAI
The proposed legislation is titled "An Act to establish a critical supply chain resiliency and crisis response program in the Department of Commerce, and to secure American leadership in deploying emerging technologies, and for other purposes." Its primary aim is to bolster the resiliency of the United States' supply chains, enhance crisis response mechanisms, and cement U.S. leadership in the deployment of emerging technologies. Here's a closer look at the provisions, significant issues, and potential impacts of this bill.
General Summary
The bill proposes a comprehensive initiative through the Department of Commerce aimed at strengthening the U.S.’s critical supply chains. Among its key objectives are promoting U.S. leadership in critical industrial sectors, encouraging the growth of domestic manufacturing, and preparing for potential supply chain disruptions.
The bill establishes new responsibilities for the Assistant Secretary of Commerce, including promoting the resilience of critical supply chains, encouraging collaboration among various stakeholders, and monitoring the availability of critical goods. Furthermore, it calls for creating a program focused on identifying vulnerabilities and enhancing the resilience of the supply chain infrastructure, especially as they relate to emerging technologies.
Significant Issues
Several issues arise from the bill’s provisions. First, the use of broad and undefined terms, such as "critical goods," "critical supply chains," and "critical industries," creates room for ambiguity in how these are interpreted and implemented. This could lead to arbitrary decisions on resource allocation.
Another concern is the potential favoritism toward larger corporations and countries regarded as allies or key international partners. This emphasis might disadvantage smaller domestic manufacturers or other nations not designated as such. The bill also raises concerns about potential increased costs due to specified activities and a lack of specific budgeting details.
The confidentiality provided to voluntarily submitted information may limit transparency and oversight, crucial for program accountability. Additionally, the emphasis on reducing reliance on certain foreign countries could have trade implications and affect international relations.
Impact on the Public
Broadly, the bill aims to address vulnerabilities in supply chains that are crucial for national security and economic stability. By strengthening these supply chains, the general public could benefit from more reliable access to essential goods and emerging technologies, potentially stabilizing prices and supply during crises.
However, if the initiatives result in increased administrative costs without clear benefits, the public might bear the financial burden indirectly through taxes. The bill's impact depends largely on how effectively the new measures are implemented and managed.
Impact on Specific Stakeholders
Domestic Manufacturers: The bill could positively impact domestic manufacturers by encouraging their growth and enhancing their involvement in critical supply chains. This could lead to increased job creation and competitiveness on an international scale. However, smaller businesses might struggle to benefit equally compared to larger corporations that have the resources to leverage the program’s provisions.
International Partners: Nations classified as allies or key partners may benefit from strengthened economic ties and collaborations. However, there’s a risk of straining relations with countries not given this status, which could affect broader economic and geopolitical dynamics.
Government Agencies: For the Department of Commerce and other involved agencies, this bill prompts an expansion of roles and responsibilities, possibly increasing their influence over supply chains. However, the lack of specific guidance and the potential for overlap with other federal agencies could lead to inefficiencies.
Overall, the bill's success in achieving its objectives depends on establishing clear guidelines, ensuring transparency, and effectively collaborating with diverse stakeholders. Its impact will vary broadly across sectors, stakeholders, and levels of government, necessitating careful oversight and clear communication.
Issues
The broad and undefined language used to describe 'critical goods', 'critical supply chains', and 'critical industries' in Sections 2 and 3, may lead to ambiguities and varying interpretations, potentially resulting in arbitrary decisions about what qualifies as critical or deserving of additional resources.
The potential favoritism towards larger corporations and countries considered allies or key international partners as noted in Sections 2 and 3 may raise ethical concerns. This could disadvantage smaller domestic manufacturers or other countries that do not fit this designation.
The potential high administrative and operational costs involved in the activities of the 'Critical supply chain resiliency and crisis response program' in Section 3, along with the lack of specific budgetary details, could lead to financial inefficiencies and wasteful spending without clear accountability measures.
The protection of voluntarily submitted information as described in Section 3 might limit transparency and reduce oversight, raising concerns about accountability and the ability to audit the program effectively.
The potential trade tensions and international relations impact due to the language regarding reducing reliance on certain foreign countries and relocating manufacturing facilities in Section 2, could affect international partnerships and economic alliances.
The term 'ally or key international partner nation' is ambiguously defined in Section 6, which may lead to subjective and inconsistent determinations as it does not provide clear criteria or guidelines.
The overall complexity and length of the bill, notably Section 3, could hinder stakeholders' understanding and involvement, potentially leaving critical elements unaddressed or misunderstood.
The lack of a specified review process during or after the program's implementation in Section 3 to assess effectiveness or inform future legislation, may prevent ongoing evaluation and improvement of the program.
Sections
Sections are presented as they are annotated in the original legislative text. Any missing headers, numbers, or non-consecutive order is due to the original text.
1. Short title; table of contents Read Opens in new tab
Summary AI
This section of the bill explains that it can be referred to as the "Promoting Resilient Supply Chains Act of 2023" and provides an outline of its key components, including additional roles for the Assistant Secretary of Commerce, initiatives for enhancing supply chain resiliency and innovation, and an assessment of the Department of Commerce's capabilities.
2. Additional responsibilities of Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Industry and Analysis Read Opens in new tab
Summary AI
The Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Industry and Analysis will have additional responsibilities that include promoting U.S. leadership in critical industries, supporting resilient supply chains, encouraging domestic manufacturing growth, and assisting in responding to supply chain disruptions. They are also tasked with encouraging the relocation of manufacturing to the U.S. and partner nations and creating capabilities to assess technology and innovation.
3. Critical supply chain resiliency and crisis response program Read Opens in new tab
Summary AI
The bill establishes a critical supply chain resiliency and crisis response program within the Department of Commerce to strengthen and protect critical supply chains, particularly for emerging technologies. This involves coordinating with other governments and partners, identifying vulnerabilities and risks, and finding ways to improve the supply chain's strength and security, with a focus on protecting information and encouraging industry collaboration.
4. Critical supply chain innovation and best practices Read Opens in new tab
Summary AI
The section of the bill mandates the Assistant Secretary to help develop guidelines for improving the resilience and security of critical supply chains, in collaboration with private sector and government partners. It encourages using technologies like blockchain for tracking and suggests voluntary methods for enhancing supply chain efficiency, while ensuring that participation by private entities remains optional.
5. Department of Commerce capability assessment Read Opens in new tab
Summary AI
The section outlines a requirement for the Secretary of Commerce to create a report detailing the roles, responsibilities, and resources within the Department of Commerce that relate to critical supply chain resilience and manufacturing innovation. The report should assess the effectiveness of these elements and offer recommendations to improve them, with a strategy to implement these recommendations submitted to Congress within two years.
6. Definitions Read Opens in new tab
Summary AI
This section provides definitions for key terms used in the Act, such as “agency,” “critical good,” “emerging technology,” and “supply chain shock,” among others, to clarify the meaning of these terms and their importance to national security and economic security in the context of the United States.