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I hope you saw my latest weekly column.



ROGER WICKER: CHIPS Act Would Boost Research Funding for Rural States
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One of the biggest changes to our economy in recent decades has been our
dependence on microchips. These tiny electronic devices – sometimes called
semiconductors – are essential to our phones, computers, cars, laundry
machines, and a whole range of everyday appliances. Chips are also used in
military assets, such as missiles, fighter jets, and Navy ships. In recent
years, China and other countries have worked overtime to gain dominance over
the chip industry. Unfortunately, they have succeeded. Today, 90 percent of all
semiconductors are made outside the United States. This means we are now
dependent on foreign chipmakers to sustain our modern way of life and supply
our military. Members of both parties agree this is a threat to our economic
and national security that must be addressed.

China is our greatest adversary when it comes to technology. In recent
decades, China has become notorious for stealing U.S. intellectual property.
This allows Chinese companies to catch up to us and in some cases leap ahead.
China has also invested billions of dollars to become the center of gravity for
technological innovation – an advantage that could prove decisive in future
wars. For all of these reasons, it is urgent that we shore up our technology
sector so that we can outcompete China.

Congress Advances Landmark Bill

As the lead Republican on the Senate Commerce Committee, I helped negotiate
legislation to energize our chip industry and boost technological research
across America. Both the House and Senate passed this bill last week, sending
it to the President’s desk for his signature. Known as the CHIPS Act, this
legislation will encourage American chip producers to establish factories and
good-paying jobs here in the United States. It will also further U.S.
innovation in quantum computing, advanced robotics, biotechnology, advanced
materials, and artificial intelligence, all of which are needed to outcompete
China. In addition, the bill will create important new safeguards to protect
American intellectual property from being stolen by China. This legislation was
the culmination of a year and a half of work, and I was encouraged by the
strong bipartisan support it received.

Rural States Will Help Drive Innovation

The CHIPS Act also corrects a longstanding disparity in research funding,
which had put Mississippi at a disadvantage. Each year, the federal government
awards grants for cutting-edge research in science and technology.
Unfortunately, this money has gone overwhelmingly to a select few universities
located in five states and Washington, D.C. This disparity has kept us from
maximizing innovation. If we are going to outcompete China, we need the talents
and expertise of researchers across the nation, including in rural states.

In recent days, I successfully fought to include a major boost in research
funding to predominately rural states through the Established Program to
Stimulate Competitive Research (EPSCoR). Based on these provisions, EPSCoR
jurisdictions – which include Mississippi – will now receive 20 percent of all
research and development dollars awarded by the National Science Foundation, up
from 13 percent. These investments could be pivotal in facilitating new
discoveries and inventions in the science labs at Mississippi State University
and the University of Mississippi. Combined with the bill’s semiconductor and
security provisions, these investments will put us on the right footing to
compete with China for the long haul.



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Senator Roger Wicker






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