The Senate today took a key step forward in advancing Senator Maggie Hassan and colleagues’ bipartisan legislation to strengthen supply chains, lower costs, and outcompete countries like China by investing in American research and manufacturing, especially for semiconductors.
“For far too long, American innovators have had to rely on other countries for key technology and supplies. This bipartisan package will help improve supply chains, lowering costs for Granite Staters and Americans and strengthening our economy and national security,” said Senator Hassan. “From cell phones and cars to microwaves and military equipment, semiconductors are critical to our daily lives and economy – and this legislation significantly invests in American semiconductor manufacturing. This package will also bring jobs back to the U.S. and help businesses across New Hampshire compete in our global marketplace by strengthening American manufacturing, workforce training, and innovative research. I will continue working with my colleagues from both parties to get this bill across the finish line.”
Key Priorities
Key parts of Senator Hassan and colleagues’ legislation that support New Hampshire and national economic and national security include:
- More than $50 billion to increase semiconductor manufacturing in the U.S., which could support New Hampshire businesses like BAE Systems in Nashua that produce semiconductors
- As China’s Huawei builds out next-generation wireless technology in America and across the globe, the legislation invests $1.5 billion to strengthen telecommunication technology research and development here at home, necessary for outcompeting China
- Strengthening American manufacturing across the board, including by increasing authorizations for:
- The Manufacturing Extension Partnership in New Hampshire that supports small and medium-sized NH businesses
- Manufacturing USA, which includes Manchester’s Advanced Regenerative Manufacturing Institute (ARMI) that is developing the cutting edge of medical technology and biofabrication
- Authorizing federal funding for New Hampshire and other states to expand workforce training programs in science, engineering, and manufacturing fields and developing partnerships with educational institutes and federal laboratories
- This includes support for the New Hampshire EPSCoR program that funds research and education opportunities at NH universities
- Creating a new tech and innovation division at the National Science Foundation to research and develop industries critical to our economy and national defense
- Further growing the government’s research and development of renewable energy technologies
- Bipartisan legislation Senator Hassan introduced with Senator John Thune (R-SD) to strengthen national security by advancing U.S. quantum capabilities – which are essential for cybersecurity and military technology – and establishing a more comprehensive approach to workforce development in advanced science and technology fields
At events throughout New Hampshire, business leaders have shared with Senator Hassan the importance of passing this legislation, including during a roundtable discussion that Senator Hassan hosted in Milford earlier this year and a visit to BAE Systems in Nashua.
“I think getting ahead of China is really a smart move,” said Dave Patterson, President and CEO of Cirtronics Corporation at the roundtable. “There's two parts of that, which is the risk of us being so dependent on any country for our own safety and our own wherewithal to exist is certainly a very critical issue.”
“First, I am glad that the U.S. government is starting to pay attention,” said Gray Chynoweth, CEO and Director of Minim in Manchester at the roundtable. “We have an industrial policy that no longer works for American workers and no longer works for American businesses. As Bob Dylan once said ‘The Times They Are A-Changing’ -- businesses are working like the Dickens to keep up, and we are excited that American government policies are starting to change with the times. Second, I'm glad that the policies we're discussing today, and the ones that have been passed and are being debated in Washington, are enabling and focused on resiliency, as you talked about.”
“BAE Systems would like to thank U.S. Senator Maggie Hassan for taking the time to tour our Microelectronics Center,” said James Li, director of Microelectronics at BAE Systems. “As a leading provider of defense electronics, we look forward to working with Senator Hassan on critical supply chain issues and legislation before Congress that will help maintain our nation's industrial security.”
Original source can be found here.
