The Sinema-backed U.S. Innovation and Competition Act includes Sinema’s provisions funding grants to boost U.S. semiconductor manufacturing, strengthening America’s position in global competition with China
WASHINGTON – Bipartisan legislation shaped and advanced by Arizona senior Senator Kyrsten Sinema boosting Arizona manufacturing and expanding job opportunities passed the Senate today, strengthening America’s position in global competition with China.
The bipartisan U.S. Innovation and Competition Act builds on the CHIPS For America Act, bipartisan legislation on which Sinema was an original cosponsor and which passed in the 2020 National Defense Authorization Act, boosting U.S. semiconductor manufacturing, advancing semiconductor research and development, and creating good-paying Arizona jobs.
“Two of my most important jobs are keeping America safe and secure and supporting Arizona job-creation. Today’s bipartisan Senate passage of our critical legislation will help create jobs across Arizona, strengthen our national security, and ensure our country continues to lead the world in innovation,” said Sinema.
Sinema has long championed Arizona and America’s continued leadership in semiconductor manufacturing. Semiconductors are the building blocks of most electronic devices—including phones, cars, computers, and military technology. A robust domestic semiconductor industry supports American jobs and ensures America has a reliable supply chain independent from other countries. Sinema, a member of the Senate Commerce Committee, was an original cosponsor of the CHIPS for America Act and championed its passage into law. Last month, she led a bipartisan group of Senators and Representatives in requesting that President Biden fully fund initiatives to expand American semiconductor manufacturing and create high-paying jobs as authorized in her CHIPS for America Act.
Sinema also applauded Intel’s recently 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.
In addition to Sinema’s semiconductor priorities, the U.S. Innovation and Competition Act also includes Sinema’s bipartisan National Aeronautics and Space Administration Authorization Act—legislation boosting Arizona space priorities critical research and development funding for ASU, UofA, NAU, and Embry Riddle, and her 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 of the future.