On July 30, 2020, the House passed amendments introduced by U.S. Congressman Josh Gottheimer (NJ-5) to be included in a final federal appropriations package which the House is expected to vote on this week. 

1. Improve the U.S. manufacturing supply chain to address challenges caused by COVID-19;
2. Improve transparency and access to the Strategic National Stockpile;
3. Boost investment in critical broadband infrastructure — especially for unserved and underserved areas;
4. Prioritize clean and lead-free school drinking water for children.

“I’m proud that the House will be including my pieces of legislation to improve our supply chain and transparency into our National Strategic Stockpile as we respond to the COVID-19 pandemic, to invest in critical broadband infrastructure, especially for underserved communities, and to prioritize clean, lead-free school drinking water for our children,” said Congressman Josh Gottheimer (NJ-5). “As we face the pandemic, I’m continuing to fight for the resources Fifth District residents need. My goal with this legislation is to support the hardworking families of North Jersey and to claw the federal tax dollars we send to Washington back to our communities.” 

Gottheimer’s amendments include:

• Improving domestic manufacturing: Addressing the supply chain challenges caused by COVID-19 crisis and the need for additional investment in domestic manufacturing supply lines. The New Jersey Manufacturing Extension Program (NJMEP) is a recipient of this investment. 

• Investing in critical broadband infrastructure: Increasing investment for the FCC broadband infrastructure grant program to help address the challenges facing unserved and underserved areas, especially as we increasingly work, learn, and socialize online.

• Boosting transparency into the Strategic National Stockpile: Addressing the need for transparency into our country’s Strategic National Stockpile, the domestic supply chain, and the inventory of materials and equipment needed to continue to respond to this pandemic — and highlighting the need for Congress to be provided with weekly updates of the Strategic National Stockpile.

• Prioritizing lead-free drinking water at schools: Supporting CDC’s National Center for Environmental Health to highlight the importance of every child having access to clean, lead-free drinking water at school.

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