With U.S. supply chain issues lingering, lawmakers are looking to intervene and force federal agencies to take action.

Sen. Marco Rubio (R., Fla.) and Rep. Ro Khanna (D., Calif.) have introduced legislation that would force leaders at cabinet-level agencies to identify weaknesses in U.S. supply chains that could hurt national security and domestic manufacturing growth, The Wall Street Journal reported on Dec. 13.

The 18-page bill, known as the National Development Strategy and Coordination Act of 2022, would charge leaders with periodically advising how federal agencies can attract private investment and change federal financing to advance U.S. economic development policies. The new legislation builds on previous congressional efforts to bolster domestic industries while relying less on other countries such as China.

The bill calls for leaders at six major U.S. agencies — the U.S. Departments of Transportation, Energy, Commerce, Labor, Agriculture and Defense — to discuss weakness within U.S. industries, according to the WSJ. Also involved would be leaders from the offices of the U.S. Trade Representative, the Director of National Intelligence, Treasury Department, Small Business Administration and the Federal Reserve.

“For decades, we watched as American industry went offshore, and we basically offered a Band-Aid to communities,” Khanna said.

“If we want to be a strong nation, we have to rebuild and invest in critical industries at home,” Rubio said.