July 30, 2022
Dear Friends,
For over thirty years, America’s share of the global semiconductor manufacturing industry has steadily declined to dangerously low levels. These computer chips power our cars, our phones, and critical infrastructure like traffic lights and military communications. But increasingly, our nation relies on foreign sources like Taiwan – which now accounts for more than 90 percent of advanced semiconductor manufacturing – for our supply of this essential technology.
The global chip shortage is a threat to both our national security and our economic well-being. When we rely on foreign sources for these essential products, we leave both our military and civilian markets unprepared for global supply chain shocks like the COVID-19 pandemic or Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. That’s why I fought hard to advance a bold, strategic agenda to invest in this crucial emerging industry through the recently passed CHIPS and Science Act.
This bill delivers an unprecedented $52 billion to incentivize private-sector investments that revitalize American leadership in semiconductor fabrication, helping to address supply chain disruptions that have plagued the industry in recent years. I know that this legislation, the culmination of months of planning and advocacy, will create good-paying jobs, lower costs for consumers, and help revitalize American manufacturing and competitiveness on the global stage.
The CHIPS and Science Act will pay immediate dividends for our economy, lowering prices for essential products at a time when many Americans are feeling the pain of inflation. When manufacturers of cars, phones, and countless other products are unable to secure the chips needed to get their products to market, prices rise for working families. By manufacturing vital semiconductors here at home, we can tackle inflation directly by ensuring our nation is no longer vulnerable to global supply chain disruptions in the chip industry.
This legislation will also boost our economy by reinvigorating American manufacturing. The huge expansion of American semiconductor fabrication facilities sparked by this bill will create tens of thousands of good-paying, union jobs, all while broadening our nation’s STEM workforce and establishing job-creating high-tech hubs in communities across the country.
I’m also proud of my efforts alongside my colleagues on the Science, Space, and Technology Committee to bolster this bill with critical investments in research, development, and implementation of new technologies. I successfully advocated for inclusion of my bipartisan Micro Act in the final bill, legislation to accelerate early-stage microelectronics research at the Department of Energy and address foundational challenges in the design, development, and fabrication of microelectronics. And I also worked hard with my House Democratic colleagues to install strong guardrails on these significant investments, making certain they go straight into our economy – not into corporate pockets through stock buybacks and outsourcing.
Our Capital Region in particular has much to gain from this transformative legislation. Through public institutions like Albany Nanotech - where I attended a discussion on this issue last month - and private firms like GlobalFoundries, our region is already leading the nation in semiconductor manufacturing. This strong investment will allow for expansion of existing manufacturing centers and for construction of new facilities, creating thousands of good-paying jobs right here in the Capital Region.
Earlier this year, I led a letter with the entire New York congressional delegation calling on Commerce Secretary Raimondo to further cement our state’s status as a national and global hub for semiconductor manufacturing by establishing a National Semiconductor Technology Center (NSTC) here in New York. And as this bill begins to make its great positive impact on our region, I’ll keep fighting to ensure that New York’s Capital Region remains at the forefront of this critical emerging industry.
Now is the time to recommit to bold, robust investments in our nation’s future. By combating inflation, boosting American manufacturing, and strengthening domestic supply chains, the CHIPS and Science Act will ensure our nation’s economic growth and security for generations to come. As I return to our Capital Region for the month of August, I’ll continue to highlight this bill’s transformative impact on our region, and I’ll keep up my fight to lower costs for working families and create jobs for our communities.
As always, thank you for reading.
Your friend,
DID YOU KNOW?
My office and I are working to make sure you remain informed with the latest updates and recommendations from federal agencies. With that in mind, here is some information that may be of interest to you:
- Last month, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) unveiled an update to its mobile app to roll out exciting new features that will help users take charge in the event of a disaster.
- The free app is available for download on iOS and Android.
- The app’s new features will help users to:
- Be informed. Get the information you need to make disaster decisions for your family.
- Access disaster toolkits. FEMA applications, preparation tips, and warnings are all available at your fingertips.
- Personalize app experience. Get preparedness information, alerts, and sheltering information tailored specifically to your location.
- Take charge. Use the FEMA App to understand how to prepare for a disaster and where to go in one, with customized information always just a click away.
To learn more, watch the FEMA App animation or visit the FEMA App webpage.
