Washington, D.C. – Congressman Michael C. Burgess, M.D. (R-TX), a member of the House Rules Committee and Republican Leader of the House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Health, introduced the Advancing 3D Printing Act. This legislation requires the Consumer Product Safety Commission to undertake a study to assess the state of the 3D printing industry in the United States. This would include evaluating solutions to secure the supply chain and the appropriate federal role to increase and facilitate 3D manufacturing and innovation.  

“America is the engine of innovation,” said Burgess. “One major lesson that we can take away from this Coronavirus pandemic is that we cannot wait for other nations, namely China, to gain an advantage in emerging technology industries. We have already seen how 3D printing can quickly provide needed resources during emergencies with the printing of face shields for health care workers. 3D printing may account for up to 10 percent of U.S. manufacturing in the future. We must continue to lead in developing and advancing these new technologies. This legislation will provide a valuable assessment to ensure America continues to lead in the development of 3D printing technology.”

“Emerging technologies will define America’s future. We must lead to develop and adopt these technologies to not only take advantage of their tremendous benefits, but also to maintain our national and economic security as other countries like China try to beat us over the next decade. I thank Rep. Burgess for his leadership in this subcommittee agenda that will help our nation foster innovation, secure supply chains, and protect American consumers,” Energy and Commerce Committee Republican Leader Greg Walden (R-OR) said.