Rep. Greg Stanton today voted to pass the CHIPS and Science Act—a historic, bipartisan investment in domestic manufacturing, research and development of semiconductor chips that will create thousands of quality, high-wage jobs in Arizona, lower costs for consumer goods, end dependence on foreign manufacturers and turbocharging American research and innovation.
“Our semiconductor plants are the anchors of a high-tech corridor that stretches from Phoenix deep into the East Valley—the result of years of hard work and investment. Arizona is well positioned to lead the resurgence of American advanced manufacturing, and the CHIPs Act will support this growing industry for years to come,” Stanton said.
Stanton spoke on the House floor ahead of final passage. Video is available HERE.
The semiconductor industry employs nearly 29,000 Arizonans according to a report by the Semiconductor Industry Association—and the fabs, or factories, are largely clustered in the East Valley.
Stanton, an early champion of legislation to support Arizona’s growing semiconductor industry, was among the first cosponsors of the bipartisan CHIPS for America Act, which was included in the FY21 National Defense Authorization Act. He led a letter to President Biden and joined his colleagues to call on Speaker Pelosi to swiftly fund the initiative.
The investment will address the global chip shortage, which the U.S. Department of Commerce called an “immediate crisis” that has forced some manufacturers to slow production and driven up costs for consumers. A mere 12 percent of semiconductor chips are currently manufactured domestically, a significant drop from 37 percent in the 1990s, while foreign competitors are investing heavily to dominate this critical national security industry. Other nations have also begun to outpace the United States’ research advantage, threatening American leadership in technology and scientific innovation.
The CHIPS and Science Act will reverse these dangerous trends, reasserting America’s economic independence and scientific dominance.
The legislation now heads to the President’s desk to be signed into law.