A bipartisan group of 70 congressmembers is pushing the Biden administration to take more action on the supply chain crisis.
In a letter outlining emergency steps to strengthen exports, they called for:
- Incentivizing foreign shipping companies to fill containers with U.S. exports.
- Temporarily suspending regulations on vehicle weight limits for truckers hauling shipping containers.
- Providing exporters with better access to shipping and logistics equipment.
“Given the critical nature of this threat to the U.S. reputation as a reliable exporter, we urge you to further use your emergency powers to address this supply chain crisis and mitigate the risks to agriculture in the United States,” the members wrote.
The coalition includes several California members and carries the endorsements of the state’s top ag groups, along with more than a dozen others. California Farm Bureau President Jamie Johansson applauded the leadership of Reps. Jim Costa and Jimmy Panetta, along with Republican Reps. David Valadao of California and Dusty Johnson of South Dakota.
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Meanwhile in California, lawmakers are calling for a blue-ribbon commission to examine port congestion. Republican Assemblymember Vince Fong of Bakersfield has introduced a measure that would charge CDFA with establishing a commission to investigate port congestion and supply chain deficiencies.
The commission would recommend short- and long-term fixes for mitigating any negative impacts on agricultural commodities. The CDFA secretary would serve as chair.
A separate bill by Fong would add a supply chain coordinator to the governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development to advise on legislation and regulations. The bill would also have the governor establish a supply chain advisory group made up of stakeholders from each sector.
