Congressman Rich McCormick introduced the Biotechnology Workforce Alignment Act of 2026 with Representative Ro Khanna as part of a bipartisan legislative package aimed at addressing gaps in America’s biotechnology workforce, according to a May 20 statement.
The legislation is intended to ensure that the United States can keep up with growing research and manufacturing needs in biotechnology. Supporters say current federal workforce development programs have not matched the rapid expansion of biotech research and biomanufacturing, leading to shortages in fields such as biomanufacturing, synthetic biology, computational biology, omics sciences, and regulatory science.
The package consists of two bills: McCormick’s Biotechnology Workforce Alignment Act directs the National Science Foundation to align federal research priorities with workforce development efforts and strengthen partnerships among education institutions, industry, and government. Khanna’s Federal Biotechnology Workforce Assessment Act instructs the Office of Personnel Management to work with agency heads to define the biotechnology workforce and assess both current and future needs for federal workers in this sector. The findings are required to be reported directly to Congress.
“America leads the world in biotechnology, and we need to keep it that way. Right now, we’re making historic investments in biotech research and biomanufacturing. Still, we’re leaving talent on the table because we don’t have a coordinated strategy to build the workforce that industry actually needs. This legislation fixes that. By aligning federal research priorities with real workforce development and getting a clear-eyed assessment of our gaps, we can ensure America stays ahead of our adversaries and continues to lead the world in the industries of tomorrow. This is exactly the kind of commonsense, results-driven governing that Americans deserve,” said Congressman Rich McCormick.
“Expanding the federal biotechnology workforce is vital to ensuring the United States remains the global leader in scientific discovery, invention, and entrepreneurship. I’m proud to introduce my Federal Biotechnology Workforce Assessment Act alongside Rep. McCormick’s Biotechnology Workforce Alignment Act to provide a bipartisan approach to identify workforce gaps, strengthen federal coordination, and ensure our biotechnology industry can continue to lead in scientific innovation,” said Representative Ro Khanna.
Maria Thacker Goethe from Georgia Life Sciences said: “A globally competitive biotechnology sector depends on a highly skilled workforce. Georgia Life Sciences is proud to support the Biotechnology Workforce Alignment Act of 2026 because strengthening America’s biotechnology workforce requires greater coordination among education, workforce development, industry needs, and federal research investments. By directing the NSF to identify and support biotechnology workforce pathways, this bill will help better connect students, educators, researchers, and employers to the opportunities driving innovation, economic growth,and U.S.competitiveness.”
NSCEB Commissioner Paul Arcangeli also commented: “The biotechnology workforce is now a national security asset.These bills are an important step toward making surethe United States can stay aheadin scientific innovation ,AI‑enabled discovery,and advanced biomanufacturing.By assessingfederalworkforce needsand aligningresearch prioritieswith realindustry demand,Congressis helping make surewe havethe talent pipeline neededto turn breakthrough scienceinto strategic advantage.That pipeline hasto be broadto include life scientists,but also industrial technicians ,mechanics ,pipefitters,and other skilled workers who will powerthebiotechnology economyof future.”
McCormick has served as U.S.Congress member representing Georgia’s 6th District since 2023 after defeating Bob Christian by winning approximately 65%of votes.He was bornin Las Vegas,Nevada,in1968,livesin Suwanee,and graduatedfrom Oregon State Universityand National University,accordingto Ballotpedia.
