To establish in the Department of Defense a program to support the expansion of domestic bioindustrial manufacturing capacity.
- Bill Number
- H.R. 5187
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 1
- Policy Area
- Armed Forces and National Security
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2025-09-08: Referred to the House Committee on Armed Services.
- Last Updated
- 2025-09-23T19:34:17Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose of the Legislation
This bill, H.R. 5187, aims to create a program within the Department of Defense (DoD) to boost the United States' ability to manufacture important biological products domestically. These products, made using biological processes (like using living organisms to create materials or chemicals), are vital for national defense and supply chain security. The goal is to reduce reliance on foreign sources by funding private companies to build or improve manufacturing facilities in the U.S.
Key Provisions
- Program Establishment: The Secretary of Defense (head of DoD) may set up the program within one year of the bill becoming law. It provides grants (awards) to private companies to establish, upgrade, or retool manufacturing facilities for "critical biomanufactured products" – items like chemicals or materials produced through biomanufacturing (using biological systems to create products at a commercial scale) that are essential to DoD.
- Award Process:
- Companies apply with details on their plans; awards are given competitively.
- Selection criteria include:
- How the technology strengthens U.S. supply chains and resilience (ability to withstand disruptions).
- Its potential to support future military needs (e.g., equipment for soldiers).
- The facility's flexibility to switch production types and produce a variety of products.
- Promoting facilities spread across the U.S. for wider geographic coverage.
- Location near raw materials or existing biomanufacturing areas.
- Other factors the Secretary considers relevant.
- Funds can cover facility setup, improvements, or business/technical planning.
- Oversight and Reporting:
- Award recipients must submit regular reports on progress, timelines, products to be made, funding needs, and plans to supply DoD.
- DoD must report to Congress: An initial plan within 90 days of enactment, and annual updates listing awards (including recipient names, locations, amounts, and impacts), available funds, communication with applicants, and alignment with defense priorities.
- Duration: The program ends after 10 years but can be extended if the President decides it's needed for economic or national security reasons.
- Definitions (simplified):
- Biomanufacturing: Using biology to develop or improve products, tools, or processes on a large commercial scale.
- Eligible facilities/entities: U.S.-based manufacturing sites or private companies that meet DoD criteria and focus on defense-relevant products.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
This bill introduces a new DoD program, creating fresh authority for grants to expand domestic biomanufacturing. It does not amend prior laws but builds on existing DoD powers to support defense-related industries, potentially integrating with broader U.S. efforts to secure supply chains (e.g., under executive orders on critical materials).
Potential Impacts
- On Government Agencies: DoD gains tools to fund and oversee private manufacturing, improving access to secure supplies for military use. This could strain budgets initially but enhance long-term efficiency. Congress receives more oversight through reports, influencing future defense spending.
- On Citizens: May create jobs and economic growth in biomanufacturing sectors across the U.S., especially in areas with biological resources or expertise. It promotes domestic production, potentially lowering costs for defense-related goods and benefiting communities near funded facilities.
- On International Relations: Strengthens U.S. national security by reducing dependence on foreign suppliers for critical defense materials, which could improve resilience against global disruptions (e.g., trade conflicts or shortages). It may encourage allied nations to develop similar capabilities.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Department of Defense and Military: Primary beneficiary, as it secures supplies for warfighters (soldiers and defense operations).
- Private Companies: Eligible entities (e.g., biotech or manufacturing firms) that can apply for grants to expand operations.
- Congress: Armed Services Committees oversee implementation and receive reports.
- U.S. Workers and Communities: Potential job creators in biomanufacturing hubs, with emphasis on geographic spread.
- National Security Interests: Broader impacts on supply chain experts, policymakers, and industries reliant on biological products.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal: Establishes clear eligibility and reporting rules to ensure accountability for federal funds, aligning with laws on government grants (e.g., competitive processes to avoid favoritism). The sunset clause provides a built-in review mechanism.
- Constitutional: Supports Congress's power to fund and regulate the military (Article I, Section 8) without raising major concerns, as it focuses on domestic private partnerships rather than direct government control.
- Political: Promotes bipartisan goals of economic security and defense readiness (introduced by members from both parties). It could spark debates on federal spending priorities or industry favoritism, but the competitive awards and oversight mitigate risks of waste. Extension by the President introduces executive flexibility tied to national needs.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Cosponsors (2)
Rep. Garamendi, John [D-CA-8], Rep. Davis, Donald G. [D-NC-1]
Recent Actions
- 2025-09-08: Referred to the House Committee on Armed Services.
- 2025-09-08: Introduced in House
- 2025-09-08: Introduced in House
Bill Versions
- To establish in the Department of Defense a program to support the expansion of domestic bioindustrial manufacturing capacity. — issued 2025-09-08 — PDF (8 pages)