(Wednesday, January 27, 2021 – Washington, DC) “I thank President Biden for signing the “Made-in-America” Executive Order (EO) to prioritize American workers by increasing investment in domestic manufacturing. This will ensure the strengthening of America’s economy and industry for the benefit of our national security. To reinforce the goals of President Biden’s “Made-in-America” EO, I wish to emphasize the availability and expertise of Puerto Rico’s manufacturing industry and workers, and to remind everyone that “Made in Puerto Rico” is “Made in the USA.”

Amid the COVID-19 pandemic we realized the critical need for a reliable supply chain of pharmaceuticals and medical devices. In the past we have relied on our foreign trade partners to meet our manufacturing needs, which has hampered our ability to properly respond to the needs of U.S. citizens in Puerto Rico and on the U.S. mainland. Puerto Rico is ready to meet the manufacturing demands of our nation as we have a readily available workforce of 21,000 highly educated employees, 60 percent of whom have a bachelor’s degree or higher. Puerto Rico has 49 FDA approved plants available to manufacture medical products, which makes the island the largest exporter of medical and pharmaceutical equipment in the United States.

As we continue to confront the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, which has put millions of Americans out of work, making domestic manufacturing a national priority will ensure sustainable jobs to Americans living in our nation’s poorest areas.
I look forward to working with the new Director of Made-in-America at the Office of Management and Budget and other stakeholders to bolster President Biden’s initiative and incentivize increased manufacturing in Puerto Rico.”

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