This week, U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., brought back his proposal to get companies making medical and pharmaceutical equipment to move operations across the world to the U.S.
Back in August, Rubio introduced the “Medical Manufacturing, Economic Development, and Sustainability (MMEDS) Act.”
The bill “encourages companies currently producing medical and pharmaceutical equipment abroad to relocate to the U.S.” and “would also enact a tax credit of federal income tax liability for wages and eligible pharmaceutical manufacturing facilities in economically distressed zones, including Puerto Rico.”
Rubio brought the bill back this week.
“Our nation has learned the hard way of what it means to be beholden to China’s manufacturing capacity, especially in our medical industry,” Rubio said. “Following the global COVID-19 pandemic, we must encourage companies currently producing medical and pharmaceutical equipment abroad to relocate to the U.S. I am proud to once again join Congresswoman González-Colón to strengthen Puerto Rico’s vibrant pharmaceutical manufacturing potential.”
U.S. Rep. Jenniffer González-Colón, R-PR, introduced the bill in the U.S. House last year and she brought it back this week as well.
“With its well-established medical equipment and its manufacturing infrastructure, as well as its highly trained workforce, Puerto Rico is poised to play a leading role in creating a reliable national supply chain, if manufacturers are properly incentivized to establish operations on American soil,” González Colón said. “I thank Senator Marco Rubio for continuing to promote this initiative that benefits all American citizens.”
Rubio’s bill was sent to the U.S. Senate Finance Committee this week. So far, he has not reeled in any cosponsors.
González-Colón’s bill is before the U.S. House Ways and Means and the Energy and Commerce Committees. She has four cosponsors including U.S. Reps. Mario Diaz-Balart, R-Fla., Maria Elvira Salazar, R-Fla., and Darren Soto, D-Fla.
Reach Kevin Derby at kevin.derby@floridadaily.com.
