Senate Committee clears Sinema legislation boosting aerospace jobs across Arizona and expanding broadband job-training at Tribal colleges
WASHINGTON – Arizona senior Senator Kyrsten Sinema helped shape and advance the Endless Frontier Act in the Senate Commerce Committee today. The bipartisan legislation expands job opportunities across Arizona and strengthens America’s position in global competition with China.
“Two of my most important jobs are keeping America safe and secure and supporting Arizona job-creation. I am proud to help advance bipartisan legislation creating jobs across Arizona and strengthening our country’s global standing,” said Sinema.
In today’s Senate Commerce Committee meeting, the committee advanced Sinema’s bipartisan IMPACT Act—legislation creating the Telecommunications Workforce Training Grant Program, allowing Tribal Colleges and Universities to partner with industry stakeholders and apply for grants to educate and train students to participate in good-paying telecommunications jobs and build additional broadband infrastructure in Arizona. The committee also passed Sinema’s Advanced Air Mobility Coordination and Leadership Act—legislation supporting the development of Advanced Air Mobility Systems, creating Arizona jobs and expanding the United States’ leadership in technological development and innovation.
Provisions from Sinema’s CHIPS For America Act, which passed in the 2020 National Defense Authorization Act, established federal grants that enabled advanced research and development, secured the supply chain, and ensured long-term national security and economic competitiveness. The Sinema-backed Endless Frontier Act supports additional semiconductor research in Arizona and further strengthens America’s position in international competition with China and other countries. Sinema also supports including language to fund the CHIPS for America grants to boost U.S. semiconductor manufacturing when the bill is considered by the full Senate.
Recently, Intel announced a $20 billion expansion of their U.S. manufacturing operation with two new factories in Arizona, creating over 3,000 permanent, high-wage jobs and over 3,000 construction jobs with planning and construction activities beginning in 2021. The expansion is also set to support an estimated 15,000 indirect jobs in Arizona communities. Intel’s commitment to Arizona and America-made semiconductor manufacturing will help the United States meet future semiconductor needs and strengthen our national security.