[Congressional Record Volume 168, Number 107 (Thursday, June 23, 2022)]
[Senate]
[Pages S3154-S3155]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




          UNITED STATES INNOVATION AND COMPETITION ACT OF 2021

  Mr. WARNOCK. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the 
following letters be printed in the Record.
  There being no objection, the material was ordered to be printed in 
the Record, as follows:

                                                   April 27, 2022.
     Hon. Raphael Warnock,
     U.S. Senate,
     Washington, DC.
       Dear Senator Warnock: As a business organization focused on 
     a vibrant economy, the Metro Atlanta Chamber encourages you 
     to support the INFORM Consumers Act as part of the bipartisan 
     U.S. Innovation and Competition Act of 2021. This will ensure 
     legitimate businesses and consumers in Georgia and across the 
     country are better protected.
       The Metro Atlanta Chamber represents businesses, colleges 
     and universities, and nonprofits across the 29-county region 
     that makes up the nation's ninth largest market. As a more 
     than 160-year-old organization, we strive to ensure that 
     Georgia maintains its status as the number one state to do 
     business.
       In recent years, Georgia shoppers have been provided access 
     to a vast network of affordable on line products and 
     convenient, fast delivery. Georgia retailers are proud of the 
     supply chain that has allowed for this, especially when our 
     economy was upended due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Families 
     could depend on Georgia retailers that were essential in 
     keeping our state open for business and our communities safe. 
     However, the rapid growth of online shopping has provided new 
     opportunities for criminals and fraudsters--with many of the 
     latter located in China--to peddle cheap counterfeits and 
     stolen products designed to undercut American manufacturers 
     and local retailers.
       The INFORM Consumers Act will help stop unsafe counterfeit 
     products such as N95 masks, toys, and automobile parts from 
     being sold in significant quantities, which are putting 
     Georgia consumers at risk. Today, illegitimate imports cost 
     domestic retailers at least $54.1 billion in sales. We can 
     only expect this number to grow as Russia scraps trademark 
     protections amid the ongoing conflict in Eastern Europe and 
     joins China as one of the most egregious intellectual 
     property offenders.
       Meanwhile, sophisticated rings of criminals are brazenly 
     stealing merchandise off the shelves of retail store shelves 
     and selling these items online using fake screennames and 
     bogus business accounts. In addition to putting retail 
     workers and customers in harm's way, these thieves pose a 
     serious economic threat. Research suggests that retail theft 
     has cost retailers across the nation $68.9 billion in losses. 
     Congress must address these growing problems before 
     additional consumers or legitimate American businesses pay 
     the price. The common-sense measures of the INFORM Consumers 
     Act, introduced by Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Bill 
     Cassidy (R-LA) in the Senate, and Representatives Jan 
     Schakowsky (D-IL) and Gus Bilirakis (R-FL) in the House will 
     make it harder for criminal networks and con artists from 
     around the globe to use the anonymity of online marketplaces 
     to dupe consumers with counterfeit and stolen products.
       INFORM would require online marketplaces to verify high-
     volume sellers on their platforms and provides consumers with 
     a method to contact sellers if they suspect they have been 
     ripped off and sold a fake, broken, or dangerous item. This 
     bill would not in any way inhibit the small businesses in 
     Georgia that conduct legitimate commerce on marketplaces 
     every day, and it protects the personal information of small 
     sellers. That's why it has united consumer groups, 
     manufacturers, retailers, and marketplaces who want to 
     protect American consumers from stolen, fake, and dangerous 
     products.
       This simple, bipartisan measure will bring transparency and 
     accountability to third-party sellers online and make it 
     harder for criminals and counterfeiters to harm local 
     businesses and consumers. On behalf of Georgia retailers--and 
     especially for our employees and customers--we strongly urge 
     you to support the INFORM Consumers Act and include it as 
     part of the U.S. Innovation and Competition Act of 2021.
           Sincerely,
                                          Katie Kirkpatrick, P.E.,
     President and Chief Executive Officer.
                                  ____

                                                   April 27, 2022.
     Hon. Senator Raphael Warnock,
     Washington, DC.
       Dear Senator Warnock: In recent years, Georgia shoppers 
     have been provided access to a vast network of affordable 
     online products and convenient, fast delivery. Georgia 
     retailers are proud of the supply chain that has allowed for 
     this, especially when our economy was upended due to the 
     COVID-19 pandemic. Families could depend on the many 
     retailers that were essential in keeping our state open for 
     business and our communities safe.
       However, the rapid growth of online shopping has provided 
     new opportunities for criminals and fraudsters--with many of 
     the latter located in China--to peddle cheap counterfeits and 
     stolen products designed to undercut American manufacturers 
     and local retailers. Congress has the ability to act to 
     ensure legitimate businesses and consumers in Georgia and 
     across the country are better protected, we urge you to 
     include the INFORM Consumers Act as part of the bipartisan 
     U.S. Innovation and Competition Act of 2021.
       The INFORM Consumers Act will help stop unsafe counterfeit 
     products such as N95 masks, toys, and automobile parts from 
     being sold in significant quantities, which are putting 
     Georgia consumers at risk. Today, illegitimate imports cost 
     domestic retailers at least $54.1 billion in sales. We can 
     only expect this number to grow as Russia scraps trademark 
     protections amid the ongoing conflict in Eastern Europe and 
     joins China as one of the most egregious intellectual 
     property offenders.
       Meanwhile, sophisticated rings of criminals are brazenly 
     stealing merchandise off the shelves of retail store shelves 
     and selling these items online using fake screennames and 
     bogus business accounts. In addition to putting retail 
     workers and customers in harm's way, these thieves pose a 
     serious economic threat. Research suggests that retail theft 
     has cost retailers across the nation $68.9 billion in losses.
       Congress must address these growing problems before 
     additional consumers or legitimate American businesses pay 
     the price. The common-sense measures of the INFORM Consumers 
     Act, introduced by Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Bill 
     Cassidy (R-LA) in the Senate, and Representatives Jan 
     Schakowsky (D-IL) and Gus Bilirakis (R-FL) in the House will 
     make it harder for criminal networks and con artists from 
     around the globe to use the anonymity of online marketplaces 
     to dupe consumers with counterfeit and stolen products.
       INFORM would require online marketplaces to verify high-
     volume sellers on their platforms and provides consumers with 
     a method to contact sellers if they suspect they have been 
     ripped off and sold a fake, broken, or dangerous item. This 
     bill would not in any way inhibit the small businesses in 
     Georgia that conduct legitimate commerce on marketplaces 
     every day, and it protects the personal information of small 
     sellers. That's why it has united consumer groups, 
     manufacturers, retailers, and marketplaces who want to 
     protect American consumers from stolen, fake, and dangerous 
     products.
       This simple, bipartisan measure will bring transparency and 
     accountability to third-party sellers online and make it 
     harder for criminals and counterfeiters to harm local 
     businesses and consumers. On behalf of Georgia retailers--and 
     especially for our employees and customers--we strongly urge 
     you to support the INFORM Consumers Act and include it as 
     part of the U.S. Innovation and Competition Act of 2021.
           Sincerely,

                                                  Chris Clark,

                                                President and CEO,
     Georgia Chamber of Commerce.
                                  ____

                                             LaGrange Troup County


                                          Chamber of Commerce,

                                      LaGrange, GA, June 16, 2022.
     Hon. Raphael Warnock,
     Washington, DC.
       Dear Senator Warnock: On behalf of the LaGrange Troup 
     County Chamber of Commerce, I am pleased to provide support 
     for increased funding for domestic semiconductor production. 
     Our membership includes several industrial partners in Troup 
     County who have been negatively impacted and repeatedly 
     shutdown due to chip shortages. Our Chamber appreciates your 
     efforts to provide U.S. manufacturers access to these 
     important components now and in the future.
       The LaGrange Troup County Chamber of Commerce was 
     established in 1911 to support and enhance the businesses and 
     business climate of Troup County. Through our mission of 
     championing our member businesses and serving as a catalyst 
     for advancing the region's economic success, we work 
     diligently on their behalf.

[[Page S3155]]

       The LaGrange Troup County Chamber looks forward to 
     continuing to support efforts to alleviate challenges in 
     workforce development and strengthen supply chain resiliency.
           Sincerely,
                                                   Connie Hensler,
     President and CEO.
                                  ____

                                                    March 2, 2022.
     Senator Raphael Warnock.
       Dear Senator Warnock: On behalf of the Greater Columbus 
     Chamber of Commerce, I am excited to offer this letter in 
     support of the U.S. Innovation and Competition Act as well as 
     the America COMPETES Act. As our economy and workforce 
     continue to change, we believe that strengthening our ability 
     to compete globally is key to our long-term success. The 
     Chamber is actively engaged in supporting and enhancing our 
     local community as a regional catalyst in economic growth, 
     workforce development, community vibrancy, and inclusion.
       We are hopeful that the passing of this bill means stronger 
     funding and policy support for regional job growth; 
     especially with support for semi-conductor manufacturing that 
     further enables technology manufacturing and strengthens 
     Georgia's automobile industry, the outcome of alleviating 
     supply chain obstacles and the inclusion of historic 
     investments in commercial development and science and 
     technology. Further, strengthening the designated innovation 
     hub between Columbus and Opelika remains an important focus 
     and we'd look forward to the availability of funding to 
     support research and development and commercialization in 
     this arena.
       Lastly, as we tackle the challenge of building a world 
     class workforce in a tough environment, support via workforce 
     development programs and funding is imperative.
       Please accept our support for SB 1260, the U.S. Innovation 
     and Competition Act. We look forward to this advancing and to 
     continuing to build a strong Columbus, a strong Georgia and a 
     strong nation. Thanks for your continued partnership.
           Very respectfully,
                                                  Jerald Mitchell,
     President and CEO.
                                  ____

                                                    June 16, 2022.
     Hon. Rev. Raphael Warnock,
     Washington, DC.
       Dear Senator Reverend Warnock: As Director of the Georgia 
     Manufacturing Extension Partnership (GaMEP), I want to thank 
     you for your ongoing efforts to enhance Georgia's innovation 
     and manufacturing sectors and work to strengthen U.S. 
     competitiveness. Each year, GaMEP assists more than 1,000 
     small and medium-sized manufacturers across Georgia through 
     onsite implementation, training and learning opportunities, 
     connections to partners, and other resources. I hope you can 
     further support the success of Georgia's manufacturing sector 
     in your important role as Senate conferee to the bicameral 
     conference for the United States Innovation and Competition 
     Act (USICA, S. 1260) and the America COMPETES Act of 2022 
     (COMPETES Act, H.R. 4521).
       These important bills under negotiation have the potential 
     to transform the U.S. economy by spurring new innovations in 
     emerging technologies, jumpstarting our domestic 
     semiconductor production capabilities, and dramatically 
     expanding and solidifying the resiliency of the U.S. 
     manufacturing base. I strongly encourage the inclusion in the 
     final conference agreement the proposed increase of 
     authorized funding for the National Institute of Standards 
     and Technology's Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP) 
     program and the establishment ofa National Manufacturing 
     Advisory Council as outlined in both the Senate USJCA and the 
     House COMPETES Act. The bills also include important 
     provisions to create new supply chain resiliency programs to 
     identify, prepare for, and respond to threats to the U.S. 
     supply chain. Looking toward development of future and 
     emerging industries, manufacturers will also have an 
     important role in furthering Georgia's economic development 
     through the proposed Department of Commerce Regional 
     Technology Hubs program. Without actual funding behind these 
     tremendously important policy proposals, these activities may 
     never advance. As such, I encourage Congress to include 
     appropriated funding to begin these efforts.
       GaMEP is proud to promote the success of the manufacturing 
     industry within Georgia and support our manufacturers to be 
     globally competitive. The competitiveness legislation under 
     negotiation will propel our efforts even further. I urge 
     Congress to come to a final agreement, which includes these 
     important manufacturing and supply chain provisions, and 
     swiftly enact this crucial legislation. I want to reiterate 
     my appreciation for your work to support the manufacturing 
     and innovation industries in Georgia and I would be happy to 
     answer any questions you or your office may have.
           Sincerely,

                                            Timothy D. Israel,

               Director, Georgia Institute of Technology--Georgia 
     Manufacturing Extension Partnership.

                          ____________________