May 12, 2020: Co-Sponsor Request Letter to Reps. Stefanik and Katko on the Made in American Emergency Preparedness Act

Note: This letter was sent to Representatives John Katko (NY-24) and Elise Stefanik (NY-21), requesting they co-sponsor H.R. 6431 - Made in America Emergency Preparedness Act. The letter to Rep. Katko was co-signed by the Greater Syracuse Labor Council. Read the full article here.

Dear Congressman Katko,

On behalf of the Central New York Labor Council and the Greater Syracuse Labor Council, we are asking you to co-sponsor the Made in America Emergency Preparedness Act. The bill, which has received the endorsement of the bipartisan Problem Solvers Caucus, will allow the U.S. to adequately prepare for future crises by reinforcing our medical supply chain and supporting domestic manufacturing. 

Our Councils represent more than 58,000 members across Oneida, Herkimer, Madison, and Onondaga Counties, all of whom have been impacted by the recent crisis in different ways. From the experiences of our frontline healthcare workers, grocery store staff, mail carriers, teachers, and more, we have seen the unfortunate state of the medical supply chain in Central New York and beyond. Our members have expressed to us the dire need for more personal protective equipment (PPE) and other medical supplies which allow them to keep themselves and their patients, customers, and families safe. 

In addition to bolstering the American manufacturing sector, this bill will ensure that New York and the United States as a whole will not be reliant on other nations for our medical supplies. This bill would also create a National Commission on United States Preparedness for National Emergencies, a body which would evaluate national federal stockpile requirements and deficiencies in medical facilities and subsequently make recommendations to the President.

Our nation’s top health officials have warned about the possibility of future outbreaks which could ravage the U.S. as early as this fall. The measures put forth in this bill would enable us to better prepare for COVID-19 resurgences and any other crises we may face as a nation. We hope that you will consider cosponsoring this legislation to ensure our country’s and our state’s safety in the face of dangerous and uncertain circumstances. 

Sincerely,

Samantha DeRiso, President, Central New York Labor Council

Mark Spadafore, President, Greater Syracuse Labor Council