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Washington, D.C. – Today, Congressman Michael McCaul (R-TX), Republican Leader on the House Foreign Affairs Committee, urged Congress to work with the Administration to fully examine the United States’ current position as the global leader in the semiconductor industry and to examine ways to maintain our dominance. Manufacturing cutting edge semiconductors in the United States will create American jobs and will secure our supply chain from the threat posed by malign actors like the Chinese Communist Party. Congressman McCaul specifically calls for consideration of incentives for building advanced semiconductor node fabrication facilities in the United States. 

“Cutting edge semiconductors are key to the nation’s future security and economic competitiveness. Advanced semiconductor chips power everything from electronics to 5G and sophisticated weapons systems. I am pleased the Administration is considering options to secure U.S. leadership in this sector and as chairman of the China Task Force I plan to elevate this important issue.

“While the United States is the leader in designing very advanced semiconductors, they are increasingly being manufactured overseas.  Simply put, we need to ensure the next generation of semiconductors are produced here at home.

“Meanwhile, the Chinese Communist Party, through aggressive investment, aims to dominate the entire semiconductor supply chain—from the R&D stage, to design and manufacturing. As the coronavirus pandemic has shown us, America needs the industrial capability to manufacture various vital products for our own security. This will create jobs at home and decrease our dependence on China. 

“With growing competition overseas, the U.S. government must work with industry, academia, state and local governments, and international partners to incentivize advanced semiconductor manufacturing and R&D right here in the United States.

“This pandemic is a Sputnik moment for our nation. Securing American leadership across key sectors is vital as is the need to address vulnerabilities in our supply chains.”

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