WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, Congressman Rob Wittman (VA-01) wrote a letter to Speaker Nancy Pelosi urging her to support American workers by providing American made personal protective equipment (PPE) for Members of Congress. Members of Congress are now required to wear N95 or KN95 masks on the House floor; however, masks currently provided are manufactured in China rather than the readily available American produced PPE.
“If we should have learned anything from the COVID-19 pandemic—it is imperative to break U.S. dependence on foreign medical supply chains,” Congressman Wittman states in his letter. “The House of Representatives should lead by using masks made by patriotic Americans.”
Congressman Wittman previously introduced legislation, The World Deserves to Know Act, which would uncover the truth about COVID-19’s origins and prevent future pandemics. Additionally, Congressman Wittman previously authored language included and signed into law in this year’s National Defense Authorization Act to prohibit the Department of Defense from procuring PPE from China, Russia, North Korea or Iran.
To read Congressman Wittman’s full letter to Speaker Pelosi, click here or scroll below. To learn more about The World Deserves to Know Act, click here.
January 11, 2022
The Honorable Nancy Pelosi
Speaker of the House
United States House of Representatives
H-232, U.S. Capitol
Washington, D.C. 20515
Dear Speaker Pelosi:
I am writing to request that you would support American workers by directing the Attending Physician and Architect of the Capitol to provide USA made personal protective equipment (PPE) for Members of Congress.
In response to an increase in COVID-19 Omicron cases, Members of the House of Representatives are now required to wear N95 or KN95 masks on the House floor. Additionally, each member’s office will also receive a supply of KN95s. Unfortunately, masks currently provided to members are manufactured in China. With domestically produced PPE readily available, Congress should not rely on Chinese manufacturers for masks. If we should have learned anything from the COVID-19 pandemic—it is imperative to break U.S. dependence on foreign medical supply chains. The House of Representatives should lead by using masks made by patriotic Americans.
Members of Congress should not have to wear masks manufactured by unfriendly regimes. President Xi Jinping and the Chinese Communist Party poses a clear and real threat to our nation, one that must be taken seriously. China continues to impede a free and fair investigation into the origins of COVID-19. That is why I introduced the World Deserves to Know Act to uncover the truth about COVID-19’s origins and prevent future pandemics. I also authored language included and signed into law in this year’s National Defense Authorization Act to prohibit PPE procurement from China, Russia, North Korea, or Iran. The House of Representatives should follow suit and provide only made in the USA (or USMCA-compliant) masks to members and staff.
With kind regards, I remain
Sincerely,
Robert J. Wittman
Member of Congress
