WASHINGTON, D.C. — Chairman John Moolenaar (R-MI) and Ranking Member Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-IL) of the House Select Committee on the Strategic Competition Between the United States and the Chinese Communist Party have introduced the Semiconductor Technology Advancement and Research (STAR) Act. This bipartisan legislation aims to advance U.S. semiconductor research and development by creating an investment tax credit for semiconductor design expenditures.
Chairman Moolenaar introduced this legislation alongside Congressman Blake Moore (R-UT), House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Michael McCaul (R-TX), Congresswoman Suzan DelBene (D-WA), and Congresswoman Doris Matsui (D-CA). Congresswoman Claudia Tenney (R-NY), Congressman Ro Khanna (D-CA), and Congressman Joe Morelle (D-NY) are original cosponsors.
“This legislation will help America’s tech sector maintain its leading role and ensure our national security is protected. Our country is the best in the world in semiconductor innovation, and today’s bill will help level the playing field for American companies competing against the Chinese Communist Party’s state subsidies and theft of American intellectual property,” said Chairman Moolenaar.
“As semiconductors increasingly drive the future of the global economy, it is essential that the United States strengthens our domestic semiconductor industry, including our research and development capacity. Through providing incentives for investments in American semiconductor R&D, our bipartisan legislation will help ensure continued U.S. leadership in chip design, strengthening our national and economic security,” said Ranking Member Raja Krishnamoorthi.
“Semiconductors are the lynchpin to the technologies of the future in countless sectors, from health care to defense to energy, and they are critical to U.S. national security and global competitiveness,” said Congressman Moore. “I am proud to introduce the STAR Act with a bipartisan group of colleagues to create an investment incentive to enhance U.S. leadership in chip design and maintain a secure value chain for these innovations.”
“U.S. production of semiconductor chips is an economic and national security imperative, which is why I authored the CHIPS for America Act — to decrease our reliance on other countries for these critical assets,” said Chairman McCaul. “I am proud to co-sponsor the bipartisan STAR Act to build on that success, further bolstering our national security and bringing high-paying jobs to our communities. The chip revolution is the greatest technological advancement since the Manhattan Project, and I look forward to cementing the United States as a global leader in semiconductor research and design.”
“Semiconductors are critical to our economy, powering everything from cars to cellphones. Congress made great strides forward with passing of Chips & Science Act, but we need to continue investing in domestic chip production to ensure that America remains a global leader in this critical economic and national security technology,” said Congresswoman Suzan DelBene. “The bipartisan legislation we’re introducing today will support further semiconductor research and workforce development, strengthen our economic security, reduce reliance on foreign supply chains while creating good-paying jobs in our communities.”
“As we roll out transformative investments of CHIPS Act, we have a unique opportunity to lay groundwork for generational leadership in semiconductor innovation and job creation,” said Congresswoman Matsui. “But for lasting American progress, we need revitalizing entire supply chain: from semiconductor design through manufacturing. This legislation will supercharge high-wage jobs in semiconductor design which are vital for California economy. In tandem with CHIPS Act investments these tools will continue securing America’s position as global pacesetter for innovation.”
Background:
Semiconductor design is a research activity aimed at improving how chips process information enabling increasingly complex modern technologies. The STAR Act would allow a 25% tax credit for semiconductor design research expenditures. Semiconductors drive American technological leadership crucial nearly every industry including defense health care energy agriculture transportation.
