SWALWELL VOTES FOR CHIPS AND SCIENCE ACT

WASHINGTON, DC –- Today, U.S. Representative Eric Swalwell (D-CA) joined his colleagues in the U.S. House of Representatives in voting to pass the bipartisan CHIPS and Science Act. This legislation makes historic investments to surge production of American-made semiconductors, tackle supply chain vulnerabilities, bolster America's scientific research and technological leadership, and strengthen America's economic and national security. The legislation previously passed the Senate and now goes to the President's desk for his signature.

"Passage of the CHIPS and Science Act is a huge step forward to ensure that we can level the playing field with foreign subsidies, address our supply chain vulnerabilities, and invest in our federal science agencies that are working to find solutions to our most pressing challenges," said Swalwell. "This bill will create jobs, strengthen our national security, and lower prices for American families."

A nationwide shortage of semiconductor chips has severely disrupted American manufacturing – slowing down production, spiking prices and increasing dependence on unfriendly foreign nations. Only 12 percent of semiconductor chips are currently manufactured domestically – a dramatic drop from 37 percent in the 1990s – while foreign competitors are investing heavily to dominate this critical national security industry. Other nations have also begun to outpace the United States' research advantage – threatening American preeminence in technology and scientific innovation.

Additionally, the bill includes critical investments in our national laboratories, including authorizing $800 million annually for deferred maintenance, critical infrastructure needs, and modernization activities; creating new programs to support the commercialization of technologies developed at the national laboratories; and facilitating partnerships between small businesses and the national laboratories. CA-15 is home to two national laboratories, Lawrence Livermore and Sandia, both of which will benefit from these infrastructure and workforce investments.

"The DOE national laboratory system is a key driver in U.S. innovation and competitiveness. Bipartisan Congressional support for the CHIPS and Science Act will deliver vital support in areas like deferred maintenance, critical infrastructure needs and modernization — investments that ensure the labs have the tools they need to maintain U.S. leadership in science, technology, and national security," said Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory Director Kim Budil.

"DOE and its national laboratories help advance the frontiers of science and technology. These investments in semiconductor R&D, labs infrastructure and technology transfer will help keep America at the forefront of innovation," said Sandia National Laboratories Director James Peery.

The CHIPS and Science Act:

• Invests billions in financial assistance to build, expand, or modernize domestic chips facilities, which will ensure we make more critical semiconductor components in America, helping end the shortage of chips that have driven up prices on consumer goods.
• Invests billions in Department of Energy research applied research and Department of Commerce and development in semiconductor manufacturing and advanced packaging manufacturing.
• Authorizes new funding for the Basic Energy Sciences Program, the Biological and Environmental Research Program, Advanced Scientific Computing Research Program, Fusion Energy Research, High Energy Physics, Nuclear Physics, Science Laboratories, Accelerator Research and Development, Isotope Research, High intensity laser research, and a Regional Clean Energy Innovation program.
• Supports the national laboratories by providing new funds for infrastructure and equipment, authorizing funds for the Lab Partnering Services pilot, authorizing a program to provide entrepreneurial fellows, creating a small business voucher for R&D, creating an entrepreneurial leave program for Lab employees, and allowing non-federal employees to engage in outside employment and consulting.
• Creates 100,000 new good-paying jobs – creates strong Davis-Bacon jobs building hi-tech manufacturing facilities here in America.
• Ends our dangerous dependence on foreign manufacturers by bringing critical semiconductor manufacturing back to America instead of overseas where it can be threatened by our adversaries.
• Diversifies and expands the innovation workforce – broadening the pool of brainpower and talent so that we are embracing the full potential from all our communities, helping to diversify our STEM workforce and advancing regional technology hubs to ensure communities across the country can help in American research and development.

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