Bioeconomy Research and Development Act of 2021

Floor Speech

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Mr. TONKO. Mr. Speaker, we are in a global economic competition, but for far too long, we have neglected the research, workforce development, and manufacturing needs to ensure America is the world's leader in critical industries of the future.

Take, for example, the United States semiconductor industry, which has seen its share of chip production drop in recent decades. This bill would reverse that trend through a $52 billion investment to fund the CHIPS for America Act, reinvigorating American leadership in the microchip technology arena.

The America COMPETES Act also includes my Micro Act, which will complement the provisions in the CHIPS for America Act by accelerating early-stage microelectronics research to feed into the National Semiconductor Technology Center and manufacturing facilities funded by this bill.

New York's Capital Region has been home to trailblazers in the microelectronics industry for over two decades. I am proud that this legislation would indeed allow them to continue to innovate and compete on the global stage.

Chairwoman Johnson has done a tremendous job leading us to this moment. The work she has done with the Science, Space, and Technology Committee has ensured this groundbreaking legislation responds to the needs of the scientific community, industry, and the American people. I thank her and the committee for their efforts and urge my colleagues to support the passage of the America COMPETES Act. It sharpens America's competitive edge.

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