Business leaders from Ford Motor Company and the Motor & Equipment Manufacturers Association were among those in a U.S. Commerce Department news release applauding Congress for passage of a $52 billion semiconductor chips funding law.
In its Feb. 4 news release, the Commerce Dept. noted that House passage of the America COMPETES ACT earlier in the day followed quickly on release of its "alarming report" about the ongoing semiconductor chip shortage.
Motor & Equipment Manufacturers Association President and CEO Bill Long expressed his gratitude in the Commerce news release to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-California) and Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo for their "leadership in getting the important CHIPS Act over the finish [line] in the House.
Motor & Equipment Manufacturers Association President and CEO Bill Long
| linkedin.com/in/bill-long-6137637a/
"When enacted, this will help level the semiconductor playing field for the U.S. with competitors around the globe," Long said.
Motor & Equipment Manufacturers Association represents the nation's largest sector of manufacturing jobs through four divisions, the Automotive Aftermarket Suppliers Association, Heavy Duty Manufacturers Association and the Original Equipment Suppliers Association (OESA).
Ford Motor Company, the nation's No. 1 auto manufacturer that assembles more vehicles and employs more hourly workers in the U.S. than any other automaker, also is grateful for the America COMPETES ACT House passage. Ford Motor Company Chief Policy Officer and General Counsel Steven Croley expressed the company's gratitude in Commerce's news release.
"Ensuring a steady and reliable supply of chips will be vital as we lead the electric vehicle revolution, investing more than $30 billion in electric vehicles through 2025 and electrifying our most popular vehicles, including the all-electric F-150 Lightning heading to customers this spring," Croley said. "CHIPS funding will help Ford alleviate production constraints caused by the global semiconductor shortage, keep our manufacturing lines humming, and deliver connected and electric vehicles with the exciting features our customers want."
Ford Motor Company and the Motor & Equipment Manufacturers Association are among other industry leaders who joined Raimondo in calling for the passage of a final bill by the Senate. Other business representatives quoted in Commerce's news release included the Semiconductor Industry Association, The Information Technology Industry Council and SEMI.
In his own statement, President Joe Biden applauded House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-California), Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (D-Maryland), Whip James Clyburn (D-South Carolina), and House Committee on Science, Space and Technology Chairwoman Eddie Bernice Johnson "for their leadership in getting this done."
"Business and labor alike have praised this legislation as vital for continuing the economic momentum we've seen over the last year, and national security leaders from both parties have said that the investments in this bill are needed if we want to maintain our competitive edge globally," Biden said. "This bill was built on numerous bipartisan elements and on shared bipartisan agreement on the need to act."
Biden also challenged House Republicans on their non-support of the legislation.
"If House Republicans are serious about lowering prices, making our economy stronger, and competing with China from a position of strength, then they should come to the table and support this legislation, which does just that," Biden said.
The legislation, which passed the House 222-210 with only one Republican vote, is widely expected to have a rough time among GOP Senators.
