Casten Votes to Create Jobs in Illinois, Lower Costs, and Boost American Manufacturing
Washington, D.C. — Today, U.S. Congressman Sean Casten (IL-06) voted for H.R. 4346, Creating Helpful Incentives to Produce Semiconductors (CHIPS) and Science Act. This legislation makes historic investments to surge production of American-made semiconductors, boost resilience in U.S. supply chains, lower costs for consumers, and create thousands of good-paying American jobs.
“Today, I was proud to vote to secure the future of American science and innovation, create tens of thousands of jobs, and lower costs for American families,” said Rep. Sean Casten. “Semiconductors power everything from cellphones to microwaves to cars. The CHIPS and Science Act ensures this vital technology will be made in America, like at the Illinois Manufacturing Excellence Center. I’m also thrilled to see funding for research and development of grid modernization and clean industrial technologies that will be necessary.”
The National Nuclear University Research Infrastructure Reinvestment Act of 2021, legislation Rep. Casten introduced, passed the House as part of the CHIPS and Science Act. The legislation will enhance the educational and research capabilities of nuclear science and engineering programs, meet the workforce needs of the U.S. nuclear industry, and accelerate the deployment of advanced nuclear technologies here in the United States.
Only 12 percent of semiconductor chips are currently being manufactured domestically, down from 37 percent in the 1990s, and many foreign competitors are investing heavily to dominate this critical national security industry. This package will return the U.S. to its status as a world leader in the semiconductor manufacturing industry and shore up our economic and national security.
The CHIPS and Science Act includes more than $52 billion for the CHIPS for America Fund to manufacturers to build, expand, or modernize domestic facilities and equipment for semiconductor fabrication, assembly, testing, advanced packaging, or research and development, including $2 billion specifically for legacy semiconductors, $2 billion for the CHIPS for America’s Defense Fund to be used for microelectronic research and development at the Defense Department, and $500 million for the CHIPS for America International Technology Security and Innovation Fund.
In June, Rep. Casten, along with Senators Elizabeth Warren and Bernie Sanders, called on CHIPS negotiators stressing the importance of strong guardrails to ensure that funding for the CHIPS and Science Act is invested in workers and communities as intended, instead of enriching corporate executives. Portions of guardrails were included as part of the final bill, and the Congressman intends on working with the Department of Commerce on implementation.
The CHIPS and Science Act also includes over $11 billion to the Department of Energy research, development, and demonstration activities in key areas such as clean energy, grid modernization, advanced materials, clean industrial technologies, carbon removal, and more.
The CHIPS and Science Act makes robust investments in science and technology for American consumers and workers, including:
- Lowering costs for American consumers by making more critical semiconductor components in America, helping end the shortage of chips that have driven up the price of everything from cars to consumer goods.
- Ending our dangerous dependence on foreign manufacturers by bringing critical semiconductor manufacturing back to America instead of overseas where it can be threatened by our adversaries.
- Strengthening research and development through the National Science Foundation, the Department of Energy and the National Institute of Standards and Technology, which will power America’s preeminence in both basic research and next-generation technologies.
- Advancing regional technology hubs to ensure that communities across the country can participate in research and development.
- Diversifying our STEM workforce to be inclusive so that our nation’s brightest minds are helping drive American innovation.
- $1 billion RECOMPETES grant program for persistently distressed communities, creating good-paying jobs meeting local economic development needs.
- Bolstering U.S. space exploration and research initiatives including authorized funds for NASA advancements in space technology, the Artemis IV lunar missions, and the International Space Station.
- Broadening the pool of brainpower and talent so that we are embracing the full potential from all our communities, helping to diversify our STEM workforce and advancing regional technology hubs to ensure communities across the country can help in American research and development.
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