WASHINGTON, D.C. — United States Senator Angus King (I-Maine), Co-Chair of the Senate Semiconductor Caucus, applauded the U.S. House of Representatives passing his bipartisan legislation to improve federal permitting for semiconductor manufacturing. The bill, which unanimously passed the U.S. Senate in January, would help create jobs and strengthen American national security by adding the manufacturing of semiconductors and other key national security products to a fast-track permitting process. Combined with the just-passed CHIPS for America Act, it will help spur a massive advancement in the domestic production of advanced technologies. The legislation was introduced by Senator King with his colleagues Senators Bill Hagerty (R-Tenn.) and Rob Portman (R-Ohio).

“From basic household appliances to advanced defense systems, almost every piece of modern technology relies on semiconductors. America’s economy and national security cannot afford to be dependent on competitors like China for these critical technologies,” said Senator King. “That is why our bipartisan reforms to encourage the rapid expansion of the domestic semiconductor industry are critical to the nation’s long-term success and stability. This is a commonsense step to support innovation – and, partnered with the historic investments of the CHIPS Act, will make a major impact on American competitiveness in the 21st century economy. I’m grateful to Senator Hagerty for his partnership on this bill and for the overwhelming support it received in both the House and Senate.”

The Senators’ bipartisan legislation will reduce the time it takes to obtain the permitting necessary to build semiconductor and other key manufacturing facilities in the United States, encouraging these businesses to locate their operations in the United States. It’s expected to create American jobs, reduce the nation’s dependence on China, and shore up supply chains that are essential to U.S. national security. Having been passed by both houses of Congress, the bipartisan legislation now heads to the President’s desk.

As Co-Chair of the Cyberspace Solarium Commission and the Senate Semiconductor Caucus and a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, Senate Select Committee on Intelligence, and Senate Energy & Natural Resources Committee, Senator King has been committed to advancing American competitiveness in 21st century technologies while improving national security and strengthening supply chains. He recently celebrated the passage of the CHIPS for America Act, a historic investment in the United States’ leading-edge technology manufacturing and scientific innovation. Along with advocating for more semiconductor manufacturing, King has been a leader in expanding 21st century broadband connections across America, and is one of the Senate’s strongest advocates for American energy storage technology.