Senator Rick Scott joined Senators Gary Peters and Marsha Blackburn to reintroduce bipartisan legislation that would strengthen federal efforts to expand domestic manufacturing of semiconductor chips. The Securing Semiconductor Supply Chains Act 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 investment in U.S. semiconductor manufacturers and supply chains.

Senator Rick Scott said, “As Communist China’s influence in the semiconductor market continues to grow and some corporations in the industry, like Intel, put profits over American national security interests, it is beyond time to boost domestic production. The Chips and Science Act did nothing to strengthen American manufacturers while propping up business in Communist China—that is unacceptable. Now more than ever, we must be laser focused on producing American-made semiconductors and the Securing Semiconductor Supply Chains Act is a good place to start.”

Read more from Senator Peters’ office below.

Peters, Scott, Blackburn Announce Reintroduction of Bipartisan Legislation To Strengthen Domestic Semiconductor Manufacturing

WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Senators Gary Peters (MI), Rick Scott (R-FL), and Marsha Blackburn (R-TN) reintroduced bipartisan legislation that would strengthen federal efforts to expand domestic manufacturing of semiconductor chips. The Securing Semiconductor Supply Chains Act 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 investment in U.S. semiconductor manufacturers and supply chains.

“We need to build on the CHIPS and Science Act to continue advancing efforts that will lower the cost of goods and strengthen our economic competitiveness, supply chains and national security,” said Senator Peters, a member of the Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee. “That’s why I’m reintroducing this bipartisan bill that would do just that by encouraging investment in U.S. semiconductor manufacturers as well as their suppliers – lessening our dependence on foreign producers for these critical technologies and creating good-paying jobs here at home.”

“Tennessee manufacturers rely on semiconductors to support local and global supply chains. The semiconductor shortages made it abundantly clear that we cannot continue to depend on Communist China for critical materials for manufacturing and producing American products,” said Senator Blackburn. “This legislation with Senator Peters will encourage economic development with local leaders to identify resource gaps and address challenges faced by Tennessee businesses in meeting their bottom line.”

“As Communist China’s influence in the semiconductor market continues to grow and some corporations in the industry, like Intel, put profits over American national security interests, it is beyond time to boost domestic production,” said Senator Rick Scott. “The Chips and Science Act did nothing to strengthen American manufacturers while propping up business in Communist China—that is unacceptable. Now more than ever, we must be laser focused on producing American-made semiconductors and the Securing Semiconductor Supply Chains Act is a good place to start.”

“Disruptions in the semiconductor supply chain have impacted nearly every aspect of our economy and the daily lives of Americans,” said Congresswoman Eshoo. “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 Congressman Greg 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.”

The SelectUSA program was established in 2011 to improve federal efforts that attract job-creating business investments in the United States and that support U.S. firms. The senators put forward this bipartisan bill after the Biden Administration issued a report emphasizing that the SelectUSA program could be further leveraged to strengthen private sector investments across the semiconductor manufacturing supply chain, in particular.

The Securing Semiconductor Supply Chains Act would direct the SelectUSA program to engage with state-level economic development organizations about how they are attracting foreign direct investment to onshore activities related to semiconductor manufacturing, and identify what resource gaps or other challenges they face in achieving that goal. SelectUSA would then be required to develop strategies to increase investments in semiconductor manufacturing.

Companion legislation was introduced in the House of Representatives by Representatives Greg Pence (R-IN) and Anna Eshoo (D-CA).

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