Senator clinched bipartisan deal & broke partisan logjam, allowing her Chips and Science Act to advance into law
TEMPE – Arizona senior Senator Kyrsten Sinema toured Arizona State University’s (ASU) MacroTechnology Works facility with industry leaders to see firsthand the investments her bipartisan Chips and Science law makes in semiconductor research and development.
The Senator’s Chips and Science law makes an unprecedented investment in domestic semiconductor manufacturing – including historic funds for research and workforce development, which ASU’s MacroTechnology Works facility specializes in.
“ASU is consistently recognized as a national leader in innovation – creating opportunities for Arizonans to grow, thrive, and achieve the American dream. Our Chips and Science law, combined with the amazing work at the MacroTechnology Works facility, positions Arizona to be a leader in semiconductor research, development, and manufacturing today and into the future,” said Sinema.
The MacroTechnology Works facility is a flexible, shared-use space for academic researchers, students, and companies including 250,000 square feet of total capacity and nearly 45,000 square feet of cleanroom, with flexible space and 300 mm wafer equipment for semiconductor R&D, pilots, and production.
With support from the chips law, ASU plans to scale their microelectronic efforts and help restore America’s global leadership in semiconductor manufacturing.
The Sinema-shaped Chips and Science law provides more than $52 billion to boost domestic semiconductor manufacturing amidst a global semiconductor shortage, reducing reliance on foreign countries like China and enhancing the United States’ global competitiveness. The historic investment will support tens of thousands of jobs in Arizona alone.
The law also modernizes the federal government’s approach to science, improves the National Science Foundation, grows the STEM workforce, and expands the country’s global leadership in innovation, research, and development – keeping the United States ahead of China and other global competitors in technological advancement. The law also includes key provisions ensuring none of the historic investments in innovation, manufacturing, or development can go to China – keeping the law American-focused and boosting American jobs.
Last month, Sinema joined ASU President Michael Crow at an ASU Panel on American leadership, innovation, and manufacturing to detail how the historic package came together, what it means for Arizona and the country, and next steps for implementing the historic funds.
Sinema’s visit to ASU’s MacroTechnology Works facility represents her commitment to implementing the investments efficiently and effectively – relieving ongoing supply chain challenges, strengthening national security, getting goods to shelves faster, and expanding economic opportunities.