Senate advances bipartisan legislation to boost American manufacturing, competitiveness

U.S. Sen. Bob Casey (D-PA) announced Wednesday that the U.S. Senate had passed bipartisan legislation to invest in domestic manufacturing and bolster national security.

The CHIPS and Science Act would invest in American technology, innovation, and manufacturing, particularly in the semiconductor industry, like those manufactured and researched in factories in Pittsburgh, Bethlehem, and Mountain Top, Pa. The bill also includes provisions to advance competitiveness for American steel manufacturers.

“When we lift up American workers, we can out-compete anyone in the world,” Casey said. “The CHIPS and Science Act will enable us to make more products in America, including crucial semiconductor chips to power cars, computers, and smartphones. By investing in technology and manufacturing, we will create countless jobs, shore up supply chains and protect our national and economic security.”

Producing chips in the United States will benefit workers in the semiconductor industry as well as in industries that rely on semiconductors, from autoworkers to healthcare workers. Currently, the United States produces 12 percent of semiconductors worldwide, down from 37 percent in the 1990s. The bill would help the United States better compete with foreign competitors like China while boosting the economy and national security.

The legislation also includes Casey’s Steel Upgrading Partnerships and Emissions Reduction (SUPER) Act, which would establish the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) first research and development program focused on low-emission steel production.

An earlier version of the bill passed the Senate in June 2021. The House passed its version earlier this year. Once the House passes the final version, the bill will move to the President’s desk for signature.