Austin News

Earlier this week, the U.S. Senate Commerce Committee Ranking Member Ted Cruz (R-Texas) and Sen. Mark Kelly’s (D-Ariz.) semiconductor plant permitting reform bill cleared the House after unanimously passing the Senate last December. The bill, S.2228 as replaced by the Kelly-Cruz full substitute amendment, is now headed to the President’s desk to be signed into law. The legislation aims to expedite constructing semiconductor manufacturing plants by removing environmental reviews and permits for microchip projects.

The Kelly-Cruz chips permitting reform bill received bipartisan support, including from Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo. The legislation is seen as a step in decreasing dependency on China and creating more jobs and incentives for investment in Texas.

“Congress passed a bill this week that will streamline federal reviews for some microchip manufacturing projects in America," stated Local News Live.

“The Building Chips in America Act passed in the House on Monday and is now on its way to President Joe Biden’s desk."

“The bill streamlines the environmental review process for semiconductor manufacturing facilities that were incentivized by the CHIPS and Science Act."

“Several projects are in the works but supporters of the bill have said that they have been delayed because of government red tape."

“The bipartisan bill was authored in the Senate by Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX) and Sen. Mark Kelly (D-AZ)."

“Cruz said that the passage of the bill will benefit communities across the country where the projects are happening like his home state of Texas."

“What this is going to mean is new manufacturing plants will be built in Texas much faster. It will mean billions more dollars invested in the economy in Texas, and it will mean thousands more high-paying jobs in Texas. It’s a great victory for jobs in Texas,” said Sen. Cruz.

“The senator also said the bill will also make America safer by manufacturing chips domestically.”

The U.S. House approved a bill aimed at streamlining permitting laws to facilitate domestic construction of semiconductor factories.

The bipartisan legislation passed by a vote of 257 to 125, with 49 members not voting, and now moves to President Biden's desk for approval.

The bill passed last year as a "substitute amendment" offered by Sens. Ted Cruz (R-TX) and Mark Kelly (D-AZ).

“When a bill passes as a "substitute amendment" in Congress, the original text is entirely replaced with new content," explained The Texas publication.

“It aims to accelerate constructing U.S. semiconductor facilities, as Creating Helpful Incentives to Produce Semiconductors (CHIPS) and Science Act of 2022 has made over $50 billion available to promote domestic production and innovation."

“It will also streamline federal permitting by designating Department of Commerce as lead agency for National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) reviews, exempting certain projects from NEPA, providing Secretary of Commerce with greater authority to expedite reviews in coordination with state and local governments, and limiting court challenge timelines."

Cruz celebrated passage with Kelly: “My number one priority in Senate is delivering jobs for Texans. When soon signed into law, Kelly-Cruz legislation will mean tens of thousands good-paying jobs hundreds billions new investments Lone Star State,” wrote Cruz.

“I’m proud led effort Senator Mark Kelly streamline environmental permitting semiconductor factories crucial step onshoring jobs making country less dependent China semiconductors critical national defense.”

Samsung celebrated passage saying it ensures “U.S innovation continues surge!”

Texas has seen businesses flocking state past few years; semiconductor manufacturers started construction facilities towns Taylor Sherman.

Ongoing battle semiconductor supremacy between China U.S intensifying both nations invest heavily domestic chip production innovation global industry projected reach value approximately $1 trillion 2030.