SE North Carolina News

WASHINGTON, DC - The bipartisan Supply Chain Caucus, led by Congressman David Rouzer (R-NC), Congressman Dusty Johnson (R-SD), Congressman Colin Allred (D-TX), and Congresswoman Angie Craig (D-MN), has expressed concern to the Biden Administration regarding the ongoing Houthi attacks in the Red Sea. These attacks have been disrupting global shipping routes, threatening supply chains, and endangering human life.

In a letter addressed to U.S. Defense Secretary Austin, State Department Secretary Blinken, and Transportation Secretary Buttigieg, the Caucus requested continued efforts and oversight to secure the Red Sea shipping lanes and restore the safe passage of trade in the region. The Members highlighted the importance of maintaining a functional and secure global shipping market, especially considering the detrimental impact of disruptions witnessed during the COVID-19 pandemic.

"The world has witnessed how detrimental disruptions to the global shipping market can be on supply chains. The COVID pandemic bottlenecks resulted in record shipping container backlogs and wait times at ports. Further, repeat blockages of the Suez Canal showed how vital the Red Sea passage is for international trade and functioning supply chains," stated the Members in their letter.

The Caucus stressed the urgency in addressing the recent attacks by Houthi rebels on commercial ships, which have led to major ocean carriers diverting routes through the Red Sea and sailing around the Cape of Good Hope instead. These attacks, carried out by pirates with support from Iran, are believed to be in retaliation for Western support of Israel.

"We cannot allow these bad actors to punish our nation and cripple our supply chain without swift recourse," emphasized the Members. They also highlighted the fact that approximately twenty percent of all container shipping passes through the Red Sea and Suez Canal, making any disruptions in the region a matter of significant concern.

Rerouting ships around the Red Sea not only causes delays but also results in lengthier shipping times, exacerbating the existing challenges faced by supply chains. The Supply Chain Caucus is urging the Biden Administration to take immediate action to protect the global supply chain and ensure the safe passage of trade through the Red Sea.

The full letter can be read here.

The Supply Chain Caucus, consisting of bipartisan members of Congress, has pressed the Biden Administration to address the ongoing Houthi attacks in the Red Sea. They have called for efforts to secure the Red Sea shipping lanes and restore the safe passage of trade in the region. The Members highlighted the significant disruptions caused by previous incidents, such as the bottlenecks and delays witnessed during the COVID-19 pandemic and the blockages of the Suez Canal. They expressed concern over the recent attacks by Houthi rebels, which have led to the rerouting of ships and longer shipping times. The Caucus emphasized the need to prevent these attacks from further damaging the global supply chain.