Providing for Consideration of H.R. Global Respect Act; Providing for Consideration of H.R. Ending Forced Arbitration of Sexual Assault and Sexual Harassment Act of Providing for Consideration of H.R. Bioeconomy Research and Development Act of and for Other Purposes
Floor Speech
BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT
Ms. MATSUI. Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of the rule providing for consideration of the America COMPETES Act. As the lead House Democrat on two important provisions, I am glad that we are advancing a bill that would create jobs and support innovation for years to come.
Almost 2 years ago, I joined a bipartisan group in the House and Senate to introduce the CHIPS for America Act. This bill established a road map for reasserting American leadership in the strategically important semiconductor industry. Since then, two things have occurred: The CHIPS Act was signed into law as part of last year's defense bill, and the need to fund it has only grown more severe as the global semiconductor shortage has dragged on.
Thankfully, the America COMPETES Act includes the full $52 billion we need to comprehensively implement the CHIPS Act. This funding is about more than any one specific technology or industry. It is about securing a fundamental building block of the 21st century economy.
Unfortunately, we have all seen the devastating consequences of this global semiconductor shortage: Factories have closed. Workers have been laid off. And prices have gone up.
We cannot afford to wait any longer to get this funding into the economy, supporting new American manufacturing capacity. This funding is bipartisan; it is supported by the Biden administration; it will help workers; and it will increase our national security. It should be passed immediately.
I am also glad to see the $1.5 billion included to support next- generation telecommunications networks by encouraging deployment of Open RAN technology. As an original cosponsor of the USA Telecommunications Act, I know this funding will support more durable supply chains and create opportunities for American companies to grow.
I thank Chairman McGovern and Secretary Raimondo for their tireless work on this bill and look forward to supporting it on the floor later this week.
BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT
Source