U.S. Rep. Sharice Davids, D-3rd DIst., launched her Made in Kansas tour Tuesday to promote domestic manufacturing and supply chain solutions at A&K Railroad Materials in Kansas City, Kansas.
Davids announced the tour after being selected as a key negotiator for the House as lawmakers finalize a major, bipartisan supply chain package in Congress.
The manufacturing facility in Kansas employs the majority of A&K’s 250-person workforce, producing new and used track materials to build and maintain railroads across the country. Davids joined A&K employees to discuss investing in American-made infrastructure materials and domestic supply chains, and to hear about their impact on both the local economy and national transportation networks.
Davids voted for the bipartisan infrastructure law, which includes strong Buy American provisions. Additionally, Davids is working to promote manufacturing and supply chain solutions in Congress, especially as increased competition from China has cost the U.S. approximately 985,000 manufacturing jobs between 1999 and 2011.
“When we make more here at home, and when we invest in strong supply chains, we lower costs for folks at the store. The work at A&K Railroad Materials is important to every piece of that equation,” Rep. Davids said. “Today I got to see how both the bipartisan infrastructure law and the new supply chain legislation we’re working on in Congress will help Kansas manufacturers continue to serve our entire country’s transportation needs.”
“We’re glad to be the first stop on Representative Davids’ tour and show off the manufacturing capability we have here in Kansas City, Kansas,” said Kellen Desmond, president, A&K Railroad Materials. “We’re excited to see what the bipartisan infrastructure law holds for the railroad industry and for A&K.”
“It was great meeting Congresswoman Davids and her staff during the event at A&K’s amazing manufacturing facility. Getting the chance to tour the facility, talk about the state of the rail industry in Kansas, and hear from the Congresswoman about how things are going in DC, was a terrific experience,” said Michael McGonagle, vice president of operations, National Railroad Construction and Maintenance Association and Grassroots Events Manager, REMSA.
Rep. Davids has been a leader on the House version of the major, bipartisan supply chain package, known as the America COMPETES Act. The bill is aimed at strengthening supply chains, reducing inflation, and increasing America’s global competitiveness.
It includes several priorities for the Kansas 3rd District, including incentives for domestic semiconductor production and policies to help American workers and industries compete against countries like China. Davids secured an amendment in the House version that would ensure small and mid-sized manufacturers are considered in upgrades to our medical supply chain, not just big corporations.
Rep. Davids recently met with President Biden to emphasize the need to pass this package and address rising costs by making more goods in America. Now, she has been named to the conference committee, a bipartisan group of Senators and Members of Congress tasked with negotiating a final package to send to the President’s desk. Specifically, Rep. Davids has been selected as a negotiator for the House Small Business Committee.
- Story and photos from Rep. Davids’ office