Legislation Would Lower Costs and Create Jobs by Bringing Computer Chip Manufacturing Back to the U.S., Includes Rosen Provisions on Rural STEM Education, Workforce Development, and Critical Minerals
WASHINGTON, DC – Today, U.S. Senator Jacky Rosen (D-NV) voted to pass the CHIPS and Science Act, a bipartisan legislative package that will invest $52 billion in domestic semiconductor manufacturing to help address the current computer chip shortage that has worsened supply chain issues and increased costs for Americans. This historic bipartisan legislation would boost domestic computer chip production, reduce the United States’ reliance on other nations like China, and create thousands of good-paying domestic manufacturing jobs. The bill – which also makes historic investments in scientific research through the National Science Foundation – includes provisions written or co-led by Senator Rosen to improve rural STEM education, expand advanced manufacturing workforce development opportunities, and enhance the critical mineral supply chain.
“The computer chip shortage we’ve experienced recently in the United States has impacted nearly every industry and increased costs for Nevadans,” said Senator Rosen. “As one of the Senators who helped pass this bipartisan bill through committee and now the full Senate, I’m proud that we have taken a historic step to bring manufacturing back to America, create thousands of jobs, enhance our national security, and lower prices for hardworking families in Nevada and across the country.”
Key provisions led or supported by Senator Rosen included in this legislation:
- Senator Rosen’s bipartisan Rural STEM Education Act to break down barriers to rural STEM education through National Science Foundation grants.
- Senator Rosen’s bipartisan initiative to support advanced manufacturing workforce development as part of a provision in the bill to triple funding for the Manufacturing Extension Partnership to support small and medium-sized manufacturers.
- A provision Senator Rosen co-led to promote the use of critical minerals and develop a secure and reliable critical mineral supply chain.
- Provisions to increase the participation of women and underrepresented communities in STEM, based on legislation Senator Rosen helped introduce.
- Provisions to support STEM at HBCUs, HSIs, and other minority-serving institutions based on legislation Senator Rosen supported.
- Provisions to establish a $1 billion RECOMPETE Pilot Program to support communities that are struggling economically with economic development activities based on legislation Senator Rosen helped introduce.
