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WASHINGTON, DC—Congressman Paul D. Tonko (NY-20) today cheered the passage in the House of Representatives of the historic America Creating Opportunities for Manufacturing, Pre-Eminence in Technology and Economic Strength (America COMPETES) Act. This package of initiatives will fix supply chains, boost American manufacturing, turbocharge American scientific and technological leadership, and strengthen global competitiveness. 

The America COMPETES Act contains multiple initiatives championed by Congressman Tonko, including his bipartisan Micro Act, legislation that would empower the Department of Energy to boost research and development of microelectronics, as well as funding for the CHIPS for America Act, which Tonko successfully pressed leadership to advance.

“The passage of America COMPETES is a landmark moment in the fight to usher in a new future for American competitiveness,” Congressman Tonko said. “With this legislation, we are making critical investments to shore up domestic supply chains, build clean energy solutions, enhance semiconductor manufacturing capabilities, address the climate crisis, and much more. America has endless potential to lead the world in technology and innovation, and I’m proud of my work in Congress to help us realize that potential. I am particularly thrilled by the inclusion of two strong initiatives I pushed for with the inclusion of my bipartisan Micro Act and funding for the CHIPS for America Act.

“We cannot begin to build back better and strengthen our 21st century economy without these robust federal investments in American semiconductor manufacturing,” Tonko continued. “These investments will benefit our Capital Region in particular, building out our existing semiconductor industry and creating additional good paying jobs. I urge the Senate to act swiftly to pass this legislation into law so that we can not only make our economy more competitive abroad, but also deliver economic opportunity to working families across America by creating good-paying manufacturing jobs and expanding access to skills training and STEM education.”

The America COMPETES Act continues House Democrats’ laser-focus on the economy, advancing a comprehensive package of initiatives that will power the success of America’s economy at home and position America to compete—and lead—on the world stage. This legislation includes critical efforts to:

• Manufacture Critically-Needed Semiconductors in America: As the United States’ global share in the production of semiconductors – an essential component in a wide variety of consumer items from computers to cars – has steadily declined, America has become more vulnerable to global chip shortages and supply chain disruptions. The America COMPETES Act addresses this challenge by appropriating $52 billion for the CHIPS for America Act, critical investments to support American leadership in semiconductor manufacturing.
• Fix Supply Chains and Boost American Manufacturing: The disruptions of the COVID-19 pandemic have exacerbated existing weaknesses in a supply chain that relies increasingly on foreign manufacturing. The America COMPETES Act will work to bolster fragile supply chains by authorizing $45 billion to build more critical components in America, creating jobs, strengthening domestic manufacturing, and increasing our capacity to prevent shortages and disruptions with American-made products.
• Maintain American Leadership in Scientific Research and Technology: In order to ensure that America continues to lead the world in designing and producing the technologies of the future, the America COMPETES Act includes a bipartisan package of science, research, and technology bills to maximize the American talent pool by strengthening and diversifying our nation’s STEM workforce.

Read a fact sheet from Rep. Tonko’s office on America COMPETES Act HERE.

Read the full text of the America COMPETES Act HERE.

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