MATSUI FLOOR REMARKS IN SUPPORT OF THE AMERICA COMPETES ACT OF 2022

WASHINGTON, DC – Congresswoman Doris Matsui (D-CA), a senior member of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, spoke on the House Floor this afternoon in support of the America Creating Opportunities for Manufacturing, Pre-Eminence in Technology and Economic Strength (America COMPETES) Act of 2022.  Below are the Congresswoman’s remarks and a link to the video.

Click HERE for the full video.

“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’m glad that we’re advancing a bill that will create jobs and support innovation for years to come.

“Almost two years ago, I joined a bipartisan group in the House and Senate to introduce the CHIPS for America Act. This bill established a roadmap 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’s about securing a fundamental building block of the 21st Century economy.

“Unfortunately, we’ve 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, supported by the Biden Administration, will help workers, and increase our national security. It should be passed immediately.

“I’m also glad to see $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 want to 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. Thank you, and I yield back.”

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