Kiggans Introduces Bipartisan, Bicameral Bill to Boost Domestic Chip Manufacturing While Maintaining Critical Environmental Protections

WASHINGTON, DC: Today, Congresswoman Jen Kiggans (VA-02), along with Congressman Scott Peters (CA-50), House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Michael McCaul (TX-10), Congressman Brandon Williams (NY-22), and Congressman Colin Allred (TX-32), introduced the Building Chips in America Act. The legislation, which was introduced in the Senate by Senators Mark Kelly (D-AZ), Todd Young (R-IN), Bill Hagerty (R-TN), and Sherrod Brown (D-OH), will maximize the opportunity to bring microchip manufacturing back to America while maintaining critical environmental protections for clean air and water. By doing so, this bill will ensure the federal government more effectively implements the CHIPS and Science Act and maximizes its potential to boost domestic microchip manufacturing, strengthen domestic supply chains, lower costs, and improve national security.  

“One of the greatest national security threats we face today is China’s chokehold on our defense industrial base,” said Congresswoman Kiggans. “Unfortunately, federal bureaucracy is holding up critical projects started by the CHIPS Act while the Chinese Communist Party spends billions of dollars to become the world’s leading producer of advanced semiconductors. I’m proud to introduce this bipartisan legislation to cut red tape and empower America’s domestic manufacturers to succeed for the sake of our national security and our economy!”

“Last year Congress made historic investments in our microchip industry that are supercharging innovation in San Diego and around the country,”said Representative Peters. “Unfortunately, permitting regulations are delaying projects that are already under construction just because they receive CHIPS Act funding. Our bill ensures that we do not lose a second in the fight for the future while maintaining the world standard in environmental protection.”

“Semiconductors are an integral part of our daily life and the backbone of America’s national security,” said Rep. McCaul. “With Communist China ramping up its aggression around Taiwan — which currently produces over 90 percent of the world’s advanced chips — there’s no time to waste in boosting domestic chip production. I’m proud to join my colleagues on this legislation to maximize the potential of my CHIPS for America Act by cutting red tape and accelerating crucial chips projects across the nation.”

“The Building Chips for America Act will be a monumental win for Central New York and the Mohawk Valley—expediting construction locally so we can begin semiconductor manufacturing, expand long-term projects, and bring back good paying jobs to our community. Standing with Rep. Kiggans to deliver this victory for our districts is an honor and privilege,” said Rep. Brandon Williams (NY-22). “This Act will provide short-term relief to local and future projects, by eliminating the redundancies and regulatory requirements set under NEPA which would force projects like Micron to undergo environmental reviews that are already required by federal, state, and local mandates.”

“In order to take full advantage of the incentives in the CHIPS Act to grow the semiconductor industry and create jobs in Texas and across the country, we must ensure these projects can get approved in a timely manner,” said Congressman Colin Allred (TX-32). “Texas is a leader in semiconductor chip research and manufacturing, and that’s why I was proud to support the CHIPS Act. This bipartisan bill is a common-sense change that will ensure that the CHIPS Act delivers on its promise and these critical projects can get approved.”

Following the passage of the CHIPS and Science Act, companies throughout the semiconductor supply chain have announced plans to invest billions in new domestic manufacturing projects. The Building Chips in America Act would ensure federal environmental reviews are completed in a timely manner for these microchip projects by streamlining approval for projects currently under construction and others that could be delayed, and by providing the Secretary of Commerce greater tools to more effectively and efficiently carry out reviews.   

Click here for a summary of the Building Chips in America Act. Click here for the full bill text.  

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