Washington – President Biden will sign an executive order on Wednesday to direct federal agencies to conduct a review of critical product supply chains, including pharmaceuticals and high-capacity batteries.
Biden has signed a series of executive orders since taking office last month in an effort to stabilize an economy ravaged by the coronavirus pandemic. This last action reaches Congress press forward with the president’s $ 1.9 trillion stimulus package, with the goal of passing it by the expiration date of several critical aid programs in mid-March.
How to watch Biden sign the executive order
- What: President Biden signs an executive order on critical supply chains.
- Date: Wednesday, February 24, 2021
- Time: 4:15 pm ET
- Location: The White House
- Online broadcast: Live on CBSN on the top player or mobile streaming device
According to a White House briefing on the executive order, the president will lead a 100-day review between federal agencies to address vulnerabilities in pharmaceutical supply chains and pharmaceutical deals, critical minerals, including rare earths, advanced semiconductors and packaging, and large capacity batteries such as those used in electric vehicles.
“The 100-day review will identify the short-term steps the administration can take, including Congress, to address supply chain vulnerabilities of these critical goods,” the fact sheet said.
The order will also order a one-year review of a broader set of supply chains, with a focus on “six key sectors,” including the defense industry base and the public health and biological preparedness industry base.
“Agencies and departments are aimed at reviewing a variety of risks to supply chains and industrial bases. For example, such reviews should identify critical goods and materials within supply chains, manufacturing, or other capabilities. needed to produce these materials, as well as a variety of vulnerabilities created by the failure to develop national capabilities, ”the White House said. Agencies will also be directed to make specific recommendations for improvement.
The fact sheet said that the executive order “will be based on the bipartisan action of Congress and leadership on this issue,” and adds that the administration will “maintain close contact with Congress to solicit recommendations during the review.” “.
Meanwhile, the House is expected to vote on Biden’s relief package on Friday. Despite calls for bipartisanship from the president, the bill is expected to pass through the party line, with no Republican votes.