Peters, Stabenow Urge Congressional Leadership to Address Semiconductor Chip Crisis

WASHINGTON, D.C.—U.S. Senators Gary Peters (MI) and Debbie Stabenow (MI) today urged Congressional leadership to include investments on semiconductor manufacturing in a bipartisan bill moving through Congress. The lawmakers authored the legislation that invests $52 billion to create semiconductors in the United States. This legislation is included in the bipartisan United States Innovation and Competition Act, which will invest in American workers, technology and innovation so the United States can remain a leader in global manufacturing.

“As the authors of the $2 billion fund, we request that you ensure that this essential support remains in the final legislative package which emerges out of the conference process,” said the lawmakers.

The global semiconductor shortage has hurt the Michigan auto industry and this funding is critical to support workers and manufacturers.

The letter can be found here and below.

The Honorable Nancy Pelosi                                   The Honorable Chuck Schumer                       

Speaker of the House                                               Majority Leader                                             

U.S. House of Representatives                                United States Senate                                 

H-222, U.S. Capitol                                                 S-221, U.S. Capitol                           

Washington, D.C. 20515                                         Washington, D.C. 20515                                    

Dear Speaker Pelosi and Majority Leader Schumer:

We write in regards to your recent agreement to convene a bipartisan process to conference the Senate-passed United States Innovation and Competition Act (USICA). This critical piece of legislation to address American competitiveness currently includes $52 billion to bolster domestic semiconductor manufacturing, $2 billion of which will be dedicated exclusively to increasing production of “mature” semiconductors that are desperately needed by manufacturers that employ millions of Americans, especially in the automotive industry. As the authors of the $2 billion fund, we request that you ensure that this essential support remains in the final legislative package which emerges out of the conference process.

The global semiconductor shortage has impacted a number of sectors in our nation’s economy, with the automotive industry being the hardest hit. In the first three quarters of 2021 alone, automakers in North America lost an estimated 2.2 million vehicles from planned production. In Michigan, the semiconductor shortage has idled production at auto plants, forced automakers to cut back shifts for employees, and driven up car prices for working families. The long-term growth of the automotive industry is dependent on a healthy supply of semiconductors, but too often these vital components are made in foreign countries. That is why we first spearheaded the congressional effort to ensure that federal incentives to increase semiconductor production directly support union workers and create jobs in America while benefiting American manufacturers—including in the automotive industry—and advancing our national security interests.

As you work to conference the Senate-passed USICA, we urge you to maintain the $52 billion in funding for domestic semiconductor manufacturing, including the $2 billion for mature semiconductors that we authored and secured in the Senate-passed legislation. We stand ready to work with you on this important piece of legislation.

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