Axios: Russian sanctions drive renewed focus on Asia semiconductor reliance

While congressional leaders work to shore up support for $14 billion in aid to Ukraine, some lawmakers have sent a letter urging a fresh focus on China — and America’s reliance on semiconductors from Asia.

Why it matters: International sanctions on Russia, and President Biden's announcement Tuesday banning the import of its oil, gas and coal, demonstrate how any country that's too reliant on one export — or import — can be brought to its economic knees by adversaries.

Senate Democrats say America needs to control its own supply lines.

In early February, the House passed a $335 billion bill — including $52 billion to bolster the semiconductors industry — with only one Republican voting "yea."

In a letter Tuesday, some 140 lawmakers, led by Sens. Mark Warner (D-Va.), John Cornyn (R-Texas) and Reps. Doris Matsui (D-Calif.) and Michael McCaul (R-Texas), urged congressional leaders to move quickly on the $52 billion for semiconductors on its own.

They called on leaders to “immediately begin negotiations to allow votes in the House and Senate as soon as possible.”

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