Washington – President Biden will sign an executive order on Wednesday directing federal agencies to conduct a review of supply chains for essential products, including pharmaceuticals and large-capacity batteries.
Biden has signed a series of executive orders since taking office last month in an effort to stabilize an economy devastated by the coronavirus pandemic. This last action comes as Congress press forward with the president’s $ 1.9 trillion stimulus package, with the goal of exceeding it by the expiration date for several critical relief programs in mid-March.
How to watch Biden sign the executive order
- What: President Biden signs an executive order on essential supply chains.
- Meeting: Wednesday, February 24, 2021
- Time: 4:15 pm eastern time
- Localization: The White House
- Stream online: Live on CBSN in the player above or on your mobile streaming device
According to a White House briefing on the executive order, the president will conduct a 100-day review at federal agencies to address vulnerabilities in pharmaceutical supply chains and pharmaceutical deals, critical minerals, including rare earths, semiconductors and advanced packaging , and large capacity batteries, such as those used in electric vehicles.
“The 100-day review will identify the short-term measures the government can take, including with Congress, to address vulnerabilities in supply chains for these essential products,” said the newsletter.
The order will also call for a one-year review of a broader set of supply chains, focusing on “six key sectors”, including the defense industrial base and the public health and biological preparation industrial base.
“Agencies and departments are directed to analyze a variety of risks for supply chains and industrial bases. For example, these analyzes must identify essential goods and materials within supply chains, the manufacture or other capacities necessary to produce these materials, as well as a variety of vulnerabilities created by the failure to develop domestic capabilities, “said the White House. Agencies will also be guided to make specific recommendations for improvements.
The report said that the executive order “will be based on Congress’ bipartisan action and leadership on this issue”, adding that the government “will remain in close contact with Congress to request recommendations during the review”.
Meanwhile, the House is expected to vote on Biden’s aid package on Friday. Despite the president’s calls for bipartisanship, the bill is expected to pass on party lines, without Republican votes.