December 18, 2021

Dear Friends,

The pandemic exposed and in many cases exacerbated vulnerabilities in our supply chain—both global and domestic, but few industries are feeling the strain as much as chip manufacturing.

You may have experienced the negative effects of the chip shortage if you tried to purchase a car this year, but it isn’t only the auto industry that is impacted by this shortage. Semiconductor chips can be found everywhere, in our phones and computers, in household products including refrigerators, coffee machines and even toothbrushes.

The COVID crisis is without a doubt a major factor in America’s current semiconductor shortage. But, without strong, meaningful action, this problem will plague us years and even decades into the future.

Another reason for our chip shortage is that the vast majority of chip manufacturing has moved overseas—with the United States accounting for only 12 percent of global semiconductor manufacturing, down from 37 percent 30 years ago.

This decline threatens our economy, our global competitiveness and our national security. Fortunately, Congress can take action to get America back on top in semiconductor production and strengthen our domestic supply chain for decades to come. 

This week, I introduced the Microelectronics Research for Energy Innovation Act and the Manufacturing.gov Act—two bipartisan bills that help reinvigorate American chip manufacturing. 

The Microelectronics Research for Energy Innovation Act:

• Requires the Department of Energy to establish a program on the development, demonstration, and commercial application of microelectronics to drive the nation’s global competitiveness in this emerging field.
• Establishes up to four Microelectronics Science Research Centers to conduct mission-driven research to address foundational challenges in the design, development, and fabrication of microelectronics and to facilitate the translation of research results to industry.

The Manufacturing.gov Act:

• Codifies into law a manufacturing.gov hub, which would serve as a one-stop hub to connect manufacturers with federal manufacturing programs. 
• Addresses a Government Accountability Office report that found the federal government maintains 58 different manufacturing programs across 11 federal agencies—creating unnecessary hurdles and making it more difficult for manufacturers to access these programs.

This legislation will go a long way to ensure that the United States is a leader in this critical industry. And with both bills securing bipartisan support and the Manufacturing.gov Act already advanced in the Senate, I am confident that we will see this critical legislation made law. But we cannot delay.

I will continue pushing to strengthen U.S. manufacturing and work to ensure that we are investing in innovative new fields that will bring jobs, economic growth and opportunity to our communities.

As always, thank you for reading.

Your friend,

DID YOU KNOW?

Throughout this pandemic, my office and I have worked to make sure you remain informed with the latest updates and recommendations from federal agencies. With that in mind here is some information that may be of interest to you:

• The application period for FY 2021 Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) Program has been extended to 5:00PM on Friday, January 21st, 2022.
  • All applicants will automatically be granted this extension, which will not affect the award timeline.
  • The extension has been given due to several applicants encountering an issue with their Unique Entity Identifier (UEI)/Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT) related to their SAM.gov accounts.
• Applicants are encouraged to review the FY 2021 AFG Program Notice of Funding Opportunity and the associated tools posted on the FEMA website HERE.
• Call or email the Fire Grants Help Desk with any questions about the application process. The toll-free number is 1-866-274-0960; the e-mail address for questions is firegrants@fema.dhs.gov. The Fire Grants Help Desk is open Monday – Friday, 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. ET.