WATCH: Kelly Pushes to Pass Bipartisan Microchip Bill
Legislation would address global supply chain issues, reduce costs, and create manufacturing jobs on American soil
In case you missed it, today, Arizona Senator Mark Kelly spoke at a press conference in the U.S. Senate on his efforts to get the United States Innovation and Competition Act (USICA), legislation that includes a $52 billion boost to microchip manufacturing he helped secure, signed into law as soon as possible. Kelly is pushing to add the legislation to this year’s defense bill in order to get it across the finish line. Arizona is a leader in semiconductor manufacturing and companies are looking to expand their operations in the state.
“It is an economic and national security imperative that the United States continue to outcompete the world in science and technology,” Kelly said in his remarks. “That is the goal of the bipartisan U.S. Innovation and Competition Act, which the Senate passed in June. This legislation will boost manufacturing and innovation right here in the United States – creating high-paying jobs and helping to address the supply chain crisis and reduce costs for families in Arizona and across the country.”
Kelly was a key negotiator of the $52 billion in microchip provisions that were included in USICA, which passed the Senate in June. Kelly has continued to work with the core group of bipartisan Senators and House members on a path forward to ensure these provisions are signed into law.
You can watch Kelly’s remarks HERE. A transcript is below.
“Good afternoon everybody. It is an economic and national security imperative that the United States continue to outcompete the world in science and technology.
And that is the goal of the U.S. Innovation and Competition Act, which the Senate passed in June.
This legislation will boost manufacturing and innovation right here in the United States – creating high-paying jobs and helping address the supply chain crises and reduce costs for families in Arizona and across the country.
Now, microchips are in most things that we use today, from our phones to cars, to the most sophisticated and advanced weapons systems.
Right now we are facing a global microchip shortage – it’s significant.
And our reliance on microchips manufactured overseas leaves us vulnerable to disruptions.
Other nations, including China, are also investing heavily to try to dominate this market. This is a national security concern for us.
That’s why I worked with Senator Warner and a bipartisan group of Senators to pass a plan as part of the U.S. Innovation and Competition Act that will boost American microchip manufacturing and development.
This will strengthen our supply chain and create high-paying jobs in Arizona and in other states that already are leaders in microchip development and production.
But this plan has sat idle in the House of Representatives since we passed it in June.
Folks, there is no more time to waste on this. We need to get this passed.
That’s why I’m working to add the United States Innovation and Competition Act to the defense bill so that we can finally get this across the finish line.
Thank you.”
