Senator John Cornyn | Official U.S. House headshot
Senator John Cornyn | Official U.S. House headshot
U.S. Senator John Cornyn and Congressman Michael McCaul have emphasized the importance of focusing on the CHIPS program for enhancing U.S. manufacturing capabilities, particularly in Texas. The op-ed, published in the Austin American-Statesman, outlines their perspective on leveraging the Creating Helpful Incentives to Produce Semiconductors (CHIPS) for America Act, a legislation signed into law in 2022.
Cornyn and McCaul highlight that with President Donald Trump returning to office alongside Republican majorities in Congress, there is an opportunity to strengthen the CHIPS program. "One of his golden opportunities is to strengthen and reclaim the successful CHIPS program," they stated.
The CHIPS for America Act was incorporated into the Fiscal Year 2021 National Defense Authorization Act, aiming to bring semiconductor production back to U.S. soil after years of decline. The subsequent funding secured through the larger CHIPS & Science Act has benefited various stakeholders in Texas including companies like Texas Instruments and Samsung.
The Texas Legislature further supported this initiative by passing the Texas CHIPS Act in 2023 under Governor Greg Abbott's leadership. This state law established programs such as the Texas Semiconductor Innovation Consortium (TSIC) and Fund (TSIF), which incentivize investment in semiconductor manufacturing within Texas.
Cornyn and McCaul argue that President Trump's administration initially identified semiconductors as a critical vulnerability in American supply chains. They noted that while 92% of advanced semiconductors are produced in Taiwan today, back in 1990, nearly 40% were manufactured by the United States—a figure that dropped significantly over decades.
They also criticized President Biden's implementation approach towards the CHIPS and Science Act for prioritizing partisanship over national security concerns. They advocate for rolling back certain criteria for grant recipients and streamlining regulatory requirements to boost domestic production capacity swiftly.
In conclusion, Cornyn and McCaul express optimism about Trump's return: "By reclaiming CHIPS, President Trump has an opportunity to fulfill a core campaign promise: increase domestic manufacturing and decrease our reliance on China."
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