Today, the Subcommittee on National Security, Illicit Finance, and International Financial Institutions, led by Subcommittee Chairman Warren Davidson (OH-08), held a hearing evaluating the Defense Production Act (DPA) ahead of its reauthorization.
On the need for a strong DPA:
“America is navigating one of the most dangerous and complex global threat environments in recent history. Our adversaries are accelerating innovation, scaling production, and heavily investing in their national defense capabilities. It’s critical that America keeps pace and expands our dominance as the leader of the free world,” said Chairman French Hill (AR-02).
"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,” said Subcommittee Chairman Warren Davidson.
“In 2021, those of us in Orange County saw the benefits of the Defense Protection Act, or DPA, firsthand when it was invoked to increase fire hose production as fires blazed through California. It was thanks to DPA that fire crews have the tools they needed to save lives and protect our homes. As we consider the reauthorization of DPA, I believe it is critical that we make reforms that will protect our national security and enable efficient domestic supply chains and strengthen emergency preparedness,” said Rep. Young Kim (CA-40).
“I think we all recognize the Defense Production Act is one of the most valuable tools in the arsenal for the U.S. to be able to protect itself. …As geological tensions rise across the world, we must ensure that this 1950’s version of a DPA continues to evolve with it,” said Rep. Zach Nunn (IA-03).
