Austin News

Over 100 lawmakers, including U.S. Senate Commerce Committee Ranking Member Ted Cruz and Senator Mark Kelly, are urging Congressional leaders to include an amendment in the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) to streamline the CHIPS permitting reform process. This amendment, which received overwhelming bipartisan support in the Senate, aims to provide regulatory certainty and expedite the construction of semiconductor manufacturing plants.

In a letter addressed to the House and Senate Armed Services Committees, the lawmakers stressed the importance of preventing any disruption in the construction of semiconductor manufacturing projects. They emphasized that such interruptions undermine the objectives of the CHIPS Act and pose risks to both the economic and national security of the United States.

Senator Ted Cruz expressed his optimism regarding the bipartisan support for the CHIPS permitting reform amendment, stating, "The overwhelming and broad bipartisan support for the CHIPS permitting reform amendment shows that both Congress and the administration stand united: build these new semiconductor plants now." He further urged defense bill negotiators to adopt the Kelly-Cruz language and eliminate unnecessary bureaucratic delays that weaken national and economic security.

The letter, which was sent to key figures such as Senate Armed Services Chairman Jack Reed and House Armed Services Chairman Mike Rogers, highlighted the need to address concerns regarding the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) reviews for CHIPS Act projects. The lawmakers pointed out that NEPA reviews typically apply to projects that receive significant federal funding, granting the government sufficient control over the project's outcome. However, this is not the case for the CHIPS program.

To address this challenge, the lawmakers called for Section 1090G of the Senate-passed NDAA and the Building Chips in America Act, which would clarify the scope of NEPA reviews required under the CHIPS Act. They emphasized that these measures aim to level the playing field for semiconductor facility construction and ensure that all states are equally attractive for semiconductor investments.

The lawmakers also highlighted the endorsement of the amendment by Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo, who testified to the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Secretary Raimondo acknowledged the importance of these projects for national security while emphasizing the need to streamline and expedite the process.

In conclusion, the lawmakers emphasized that interruptions and delays to semiconductor manufacturing projects would undermine the goals of the CHIPS Act and increase risks to the country's economic and national security. They called for the inclusion of the amendment in the final defense bill to provide regulatory certainty and accelerate the construction of semiconductor plants.

The letter received a total of 120 signatories from both sides of the aisle, including Senators Ted Cruz, Mark Kelly, Sherrod Brown, Kirsten Gillibrand, John Cornyn, and Jon Tester, among others. These lawmakers are united in their commitment to promoting the CHIPS permitting reform and ensuring the United States remains at the forefront of semiconductor manufacturing.

For additional details, please follow this link: https://www.cruz.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/over-100-lawmakers-call-for-chips-permitting-reform-in-final-defense-bill