Last week, U.S. Sen. Rick Scott, R-Fla., and U.S. Sen. Gary Peters, D-Mich., got their proposal “to streamline federal efforts to strengthen and expand domestic manufacturing of semiconductor chips” through the U.S. Senate without opposition.
Peters first brought out the “Securing Semiconductor Supply Chains Act” at the end of 2021 with Scott as a co-sponsor.
The bill “would direct the U.S. Department of Commerce’s SelectUSA program – in collaboration with federal agencies and state economic development organizations – to develop strategies to attract foreign investment in U.S. semiconductor manufacturers and supply chains.” Like other businesses, semiconductor manufacturing has been impacted by current supply chain problems.
Peters brought the bill back earlier in the year with Scott co-sponsoring it.
“In order to remain a global economic powerhouse in the 21st century, we must continue to build on the investments we made in the CHIPS and Science Act to boost U.S. production of semiconductor chips, which we know will dictate the future of technology and innovation. My bipartisan bill would do just that by strengthening our efforts to attract investment in American semiconductor manufacturers as well as their suppliers, reducing our dependence on foreign producers for these critical technologies and creating good-paying jobs here at home,” said Peters after the Senate cleared the bill.
“As Communist China’s influence in the semiconductor market continues to grow, it is beyond time to boost domestic production. It is clear more must be done to strengthen American manufacturers instead of propping up businesses in Communist China, and we must be laser-focused on keeping China out of our supply chains and economy. Producing American-made semiconductors is essential to that goal, and our Securing Semiconductor Supply Chains Act is a good place to start,” said Scott.
Over in the U.S. House, U.S. Reps. Anna Eshoo, D-Calif., and Greg Pence, R-Ind., are championing the bill.
“Disruptions in the semiconductor supply chain have impacted nearly every aspect of our economy and the daily lives of Americans,” said Eshoo who introduced the bill at the start of the year. “The Securing Semiconductor Supply Chains Act strengthens semiconductor supply chains by requiring federal and state government programs to develop strategies to attract investment in semiconductor manufacturing. I’m proud to introduce this bicameral and bipartisan legislation to onshore chip production and ensure the U.S. maintains its global technological leadership.”
“The United States has learned the hard way that we simply cannot rely on foreign nations to secure semiconductor chips – and that doing so jeopardizes America’s economic and national security. Other nations who know this seek to use this as a way to chip away at our global competitiveness,” said Pence. “America cannot be caught off-guard again, and this legislation would address those shortcomings. My greatest priority in Congress has been fighting for policies that have the opportunity to create good-paying jobs here in the U.S. and boost the economy – and this legislation would be especially advantageous to Hoosiers and all Americans.”
Eshoo’s bill was sent to the U.S. House Energy and Commerce Committee.
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