The House of Representatives passed a bill on Thursday that focuses on boosting the production of semiconductors in the United States.
The bill, which passed in the Senate on Wednesday, is a long-awaited $280 billion legislative package with broad bipartisan support overall, but with some lawmakers coming out against the bill this week.
Both Arizona Senators, Sen. Kyrsten Sinema and Sen. Mark Kelly supported the legislation.
“Today’s critical passage of our bipartisan legislation boosting semiconductor manufacturing in Arizona and investing historic resources in science and innovation will lower costs for families, strengthen our supply chains, support countless high-paying jobs, strengthen our national security – and, most importantly, stand the test of times,” said Sen. Sinema.
Sen. Mark Kelly said of the bill's passage, “While this process has been long, it has also shown what we can accomplish when we work together, Republicans and Democrats."
The legislative package passed the House with a vote of 243-187, which was closer than had been anticipated by leadership in Congress.
It now heads to the desk of President Joe Biden to be signed into law. It is expected to inject nearly $300 billion into the American manufacturing industry and boost scientific research.
As Axios points out, the hope is that the bill can pump enough support into manufacturing essential computer chips in the U.S. to try and prevent another supply chain crisis, while making the U.S. more competitive with China.
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