Austin News

U.S. Senator Ted Cruz has announced the signing of a bipartisan bill aimed at expediting semiconductor manufacturing plant construction, which he co-authored with Senator Mark Kelly. The legislation, known as the Kelly-Cruz bill, seeks to remove obstacles related to environmental reviews and permits for microchip projects. It is designed to lower compliance costs for chip manufacturers and accelerate construction timelines across Texas and the nation.

Senator Cruz expressed his satisfaction with the new law: "The Kelly-Cruz bipartisan legislation is a major win for Texas. It will speed up the building of new semiconductor projects nationwide, unlock tens of thousands of good-paying jobs in Texas, and bring with billions in new investments to our state’s thriving economy." He also acknowledged Senator Mark Kelly's partnership and the broad coalition that supported this initiative.

Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo had previously highlighted during a Senate Commerce Committee hearing how existing permitting laws could delay CHIPS funding implementation. She advocated for passing the Cruz-Kelly legislation to address these concerns.

The Senate passed this bipartisan bill unanimously last December, with support from Senators Todd Young, Sherrod Brown, Bill Hagerty, Martin Heinrich, and Kyrsten Sinema. The bill was also included in the Senate's version of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) in July 2023.

Earlier this year, Senator Cruz visited Samsung's facility in Taylor, Texas to emphasize his commitment to CHIPS/National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) legislation. He also held discussions on regulatory challenges facing the semiconductor industry at various events throughout Texas.

Senator Cruz has been active in promoting American innovation through several legislative efforts including tax reforms and initiatives like the CREATE JOBS Act and FABS Act aimed at supporting business growth and incentivizing U.S.-based manufacturing.