Congress Passes the CHIPS (and Science) Act at America's Bipartisan Party
Washington, DC – The Bipartisan Policy Center applauds Congress for passing the bipartisan CHIPS and Science Act which includes strategic investments that will secure U.S. supply chains, increase our global competitiveness, and establish America’s leadership in the new energy economy.
“This Congress continues to prove to the American people that it can work in a bipartisan fashion to tackle difficult challenges,” said BPC President Jason Grumet. “When members agree on addressing national security, competitiveness, and clean energy, good things can happen—even in an election year.”
The legislation builds upon the success of the bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act to address concerns about the United States falling behind other countries in technological innovation and commercialization.
“To stay competitive in the global marketplace, we need to take advantage of the amazing talent right here at home,” said Michele Nellenbach, BPC vice president of strategic initiatives. “This legislation will create innovative ecosystems across the country and ensure the next wave of breakthrough technologies are incubated, developed, and manufactured right here in America.”
“The bill will not only enhance our energy independence and competitiveness, but also provides significant tools to combat climate change and promote a clean energy future,” said Tanya Das, associate director for innovation of BPC’s Energy Program.
Key bipartisan provisions supported by BPC include:
Supporting the Clean Energy Transition
- Create the Foundation for Energy Security and Innovation to mobilize private sector financing to invest in energy technologies
- Authorize funding for the Department of Energy to advance key technologies such as microelectronics, artificial intelligence, biotechnology, and advanced manufacturing
- Authorize the Regional Clean Energy Innovation Program to invest in energy innovation ecosystems in diverse geographic regions
- Authorize Energizing Technology Transfer provisions to boost energy commercialization and technology transfer activities
- Authorize the SUPER Act to develop tools, technologies, and methods for low-emission steel manufacturing
- Authorized increased funding for research and development for carbon dioxide removal
- Creates grants at the National Science Foundation to support critical minerals mining research and development
Developing Regional Technology Hubs
- Incentivize domestic semiconductor production
- Provide dedicated funding for the Public Wireless Supply Chain Innovation Fund
- Establish a new Directorate of Technology and Innovation within the National Science Foundation
- Authorize funding to support regional economic development and innovation hubs with more detailed considerations about geographic diversity of America’s innovation centers
- Direct the Office of Science and Technology Policy to establish a Research Security and Integrity Information Sharing Analysis Organization for the purpose of gathering and analyzing critical cyber and related information
Supporting Family Leave for Researchers
- Require the Office of Science and Technology Policy to develop guidance prohibiting discrimination in the awarding and administering of research grants due to a researcher taking family leave and to make grants more flexible to accommodate caregiving needs