Press Releases

Today, the House Financial Services Committee is holding a National Security Subcommittee hearing, led by Subcommittee Chair Warren Davidson (OH-08), to explore critical aspects related to the Defense Production Act (DPA) ahead of its expiration in September 2025.

Read Subcommittee Chair Davidson’s opening remarks as prepared for delivery:

"I want to welcome our witnesses to today’s National Security hearing, which is devoted to evaluating the Defense Production Act ahead of its expiration in September 2025.

"As Congress prepares to reauthorize the DPA, today’s panel of witnesses will provide a fundamental overview of the Defense Production Act, examining its authorities and uses to increase this Committee’s understanding for effective updates.

"This panel’s testimony will inform our consideration of how Congress can reform and more effectively deploy the DPA.

"The DPA was initially enacted in 1950 in response to the outbreak of the Korean War, as President Harry Truman aimed to secure domestic industrial resources to meet the nation’s national security needs during times of war and national emergencies.

"It was created with good intentions – to bolster the resilience of the United States industrial base in times of crisis, by promoting domestic production rather than reliance on foreign sources.

"Today, this is more critical than ever, as the United States has become dependent on foreign production of critical materials and goods, across several sectors.

"Moreover, in recent years, the DPA has not been used as effectively as it could, and, arguably, has been misused. It is time for Congress to reset and realign DPA’s authorities.

"For example, the previous Administration invoked the DPA to require suppliers to provide key inputs to infant formula manufacturers before any other customers.

"A month later, President Biden leaned on the DPA to boost the production of residential heat pumps.

"Under both the Biden and first Trump Administrations, many of the DPA’s authorities risked irrelevance. From 2018 to 2024, for instance, there was only one direct loan and zero guarantees – not because there is no need, but because DPA processes are arguably too cumbersome. If so, they need reform.

"Meanwhile, our supply chains remain vulnerable, and our defense stockpiles are dangerously depleted and deeply entrenched in the bureaucracy.

"The DPA was most notably used during the COVID pandemic, and this period highlighted a deep vulnerability – if we count on the DPA to be reactive once an emergency arrives, our response may come too late. Modernizing the DPA means discussing what a more proactive posture would look like. We have the opportunity to prepare, rather than react.

"Our adversaries are advancing in critical sectors from semiconductors to tooling, rare earth mineral processing to pharmaceuticals, and we need stronger domestic capabilities that cannot be done currently. The need for a powerful DPA and robust defense industrial base here in the U.S. intensifies as the threats we face are continuously augmented.

"The DPA is a critical component of the United States’ national security toolkit that warrants reauthorization – yet this should come only after a thorough review and reassessment, rather than a mere automatic approval.

"I urge my colleagues to focus on reauthorizing the DPA with purpose and a commitment to national security and a robust, resilient future for the United States.

"Anything less could put our nation’s future at risk."