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Friend –
I have long believed that you cannot be a great country if you don’t make things.
But for far too long we have relied on foreign competitors for critical goods and products that our companies and workers need to be successful. We’re seeing it now with the semiconductor chip shortage.
It’s something I’ve been focused on addressing in the Senate – particularly as the Chairman of the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee – and that’s why I’m honored to be serving on the conference committee tasked with finalizing the U.S. economic competitiveness legislation that has passed both the House and Senate.
At the first meeting of this bipartisan, bicameral committee, I stressed the need to invest in domestic semiconductor chip production – and fully fund the CHIPS Act to prevent another shortage like the one we are experiencing now.
To watch video of my remarks at the conference committee’s first meeting, click here.
The Senate-version of this legislation that I helped pass last year includes $50 billion to increase production of semiconductors – and I added an additional $2 billion in new funding for mature semiconductor technologies that critical manufacturing industries – like the auto industry – rely on.
I can’t stress enough that a strong economic competitiveness bill is key to ensuring that we can create jobs, outcompete anyone on the global stage – including the Chinese government – and continue to lead in manufacturing both in Michigan and across the country.
That’s why I am honored to be serving on the conference committee and look forward to getting this vital legislation signed into law as quickly as possible.
Thanks for reading,
Gary Peters
United States Senator for Michigan |
