Shaheen Applauds Senate Passage of U.S. China-Competitiveness Bill
(Washington, DC) – U.S. Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) – Chair of the Appropriations Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, Science and Related Agencies – released the following statement today after the Senate passed the Creating Helpful Incentives to Produce Semiconductors (CHIPS) and Science Act of 2022. The historic legislation develops U.S. policy to address strategic, economic and diplomatic tools for a global strategy that will allow the United States to confront the challenges that China poses to the United States. The comprehensive package invests in scientific research and microchips that are key to the economy and military, as well as strengthens domestic manufacturing and the supply chain.
“Semiconductors are core to our daily lives and run everything from cars to refrigerators. Our failure to produce semiconductors at home is a threat to both our economy and national security, which is why this bipartisan bill is needed more than ever. The Senate’s passage of this key legislation sets our nation on a path to success while creating good-paying jobs at home, lowering costs on items Americans use every day, combating China’s unfair economic manipulation and investing in innovation to ensure we continue to be a global leader,” said Shaheen. “This bill also includes provisions I authored to enhance STEM education so we’re building a more competitive workforce to succeed in the 21st century economy. I’m proud to support legislation that sends an unmistakable message that America will remain competitive on the global stage economically and militarily. Time is of the essence, and I look forward to swift passage of this legislation by the House so we can get this bill to the President’s desk.”
Specifically, the CHIPS and Science Act includes:
- $52 billion in grants and incentives to attract chip companies to the United States and invest in research and development to boost domestic semiconductor manufacturing
- Authorization of more than $80 billion in National Science Foundation funding for research and education, including to support critical research into areas of national priority and support Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) education
- This includes funding specifically dedicated to growing the American STEM workforce including key provisions from Shaheen’s Supporting STEM Learning Opportunities Act and funding to improve access to STEM education opportunities for schools in rural areas.
- Restrictions on companies that receive federal assistance and invest in China and Russia
- $500 million for an international secure communications system
- $200 million for training a chips workforce
- $1.5 billion for innovation in public wireless supply chains
- Authorization of $10 billion to establish 20 regional technology hubs through the Economic Development Administration (EDA)
- Authorization of $1 billion to support economic development activities in economically distressed communities through EDA
- Authorization of $10 billion for the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) for research and manufacturing partnerships
- Authorization of $68 billion for the Office of Science and other science and innovation activities at the U.S. Department of Energy
- Authorizations for key programs at the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)
- And more.
Shaheen secured inclusion of language based on her bipartisan Supporting STEM Learning Opportunities Act to allow funds to support research and development of innovative STEM educational programming, including afterschool and other outside of the classroom activities. This language seeks to improve federal investment in experiential learning opportunities to better strengthen the pipeline of students entering the STEM workforce, especially from traditionally underrepresented groups like women and communities of color. Through her leadership on the Senate Commerce, Justice, Science and Related Agencies Appropriations Subcommittee, Senator Shaheen has been a strong advocate for STEM education and scientific research funding priorities.
Shaheen is a leader in the Senate in the push against an increasingly competitive and aggressive China, including through her role as co-chair of the Senate NATO Observer Group with Senator Thom Tillis (R-NC). She and Tillis recently led a congressional delegation visit to the NATO Summit in Madrid, during which they addressed the threats posed by China to the security of the Alliance. Shaheen also introduced the Transatlantic Telecommunication Security Act (TTSA), which would strengthen European telecommunications infrastructure and counter China’s influence by helping key allies in the region invest in secure and trusted 5G networks. She also co-leads a bipartisan bill, the Protecting American Capital Act, to require the Treasury to annually report to Congress on the United States’ financial exposure to China. As Chair of the Appropriations Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, Science and Related Agencies, Shaheen has also long advocated for serious investments in scientific and technology innovation to protect the U.S.’s global leadership and national security against China.
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