SEMI Applauds Senate Passage of USICA Semiconductor Funding, Urges House Action

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SEMI, the industry association serving the global electronics design and manufacturing supply chain, applauded the Senate’s passage of $52 billion in funding for new incentives to promote U.S. semiconductor manufacturing and research. The funding is part of the United States Innovation and Competition Act (USICA).

The strong investments in federal research related to semiconductors and significant, multi-year funding for the Section 9902 incentive program at the Department of Commerce will significantly improve U.S. competitiveness in this vital industry, strengthen a wide range of technology-reliant U.S. supply chains, create thousands of jobs, and keep pace with programs and proposals around the world,” said Ajit Manocha, SEMI president and CEO. “With semiconductor manufacturing facilities, or fabs, heavily reliant on a complex supply chain of equipment and materials providers, the Section 9902 program must support fab suppliers to strengthen the entire semiconductor supply chain. Talent is another critical industry need, and the bill will also make investments in education and workforce development by helping students access better quality science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) education, while strengthening technical education and incumbent worker training programs.” 

Additionally, SEMI applauded the Senate for acting on the Miscellaneous Tariff Bill, Generalized System of Preferences, and Section 301 tariff exclusion program. The measures provide tariff relief for American businesses and strengthen U.S. competitiveness in manufacturing.

“We thank Senate Majority Leader Schumer, Senator Cornyn, Senator Warner, Senator Young, Senator Cantwell, Senator Wicker and others for their leadership and support on these important issues,” Manocha said. “SEMI urges the House of Representatives to similarly fund these programs and ensure that they support the entire semiconductor supply chain in the United States.”

The USICA includes emergency appropriations to fund the semiconductor programs enacted in the Fiscal Year 2021 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), the Endless Frontier Act and several other bills. The House will need to pass companion legislation and reconcile any differences between the House and Senate bills before final legislation can be sent to the President to be enacted into law.