Supply Chain News: White House Fact Sheet on how the Bipartisan Infrastructure Deal Improves the Supply Chain from Ship to Store

November 10, 2021

Decades of neglect and underinvestment in our infrastructure have left the links in our goods movement supply chains struggling to keep up with the rapid and persistent increase in goods movement that the pandemic has generated. Further, extreme heat waves, catastrophic wildfires, and severe drought are taking American lives and livelihoods. In the last year alone, extreme weather has cost America more than $100 billion—often hitting historically underserved groups the hardest, particularly low-income communities, communities of color, and people with disabilities.

Despite global disruptions due to the pandemic, America is moving record numbers of goods from our ports to shelves and homes. The Ports of Long Beach and Los Angeles, for example, which import 40% of all containerized imports into the country—are handling the most in their history, 17% more than their previous record year.

The Administration has already taken unprecedented steps to get goods flowing from ships to shelves faster right now. That includes partnerships with the ports of LA and Long Beach to move to 24/7 operations—in addition to partnerships with labor as well as private sector leaders like Wal-Mart, UPS, Target and FedEx who are taking similar action—and the port action plan to accelerate investment in our ports, waterways, and freight networks.

The Bipartisan Infrastructure Deal will make the fundamental changes that are long overdue for our ports, airports, rail and roads to ensure that our supply chains are more resilient and efficient from future shocks. Modern, resilient, and sustainable port, airport, and freight infrastructure will help improve efficiency, reduce costs, and support U.S. competitiveness by removing bottlenecks and expediting commerce, while reducing greenhouse gas emissions and the environmental impact on neighboring communities. The plan will strengthen supply chains by investing almost $50 billion in our ports and airports on top of expanding existing programs that support freight investment across modes.

Resources:

Click here for the White House Fact Sheet: The Bipartisan Infrastructure Deal Improves the Supply Chain from Ship to Store.