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Raimondo is still pushing U.S. lawmakers to pass funding to
address the ongoing chip supply crisis that has cut auto
production and impacted other industries. She said senior
lawmakers are committed to addressing the issue.
"If it doesn't get done, on Jan. 1 we're going to go at it
again," Raimondo told reporters at a joint press conference with
European Commission Executive Vice President Margrethe Vestager.
"The only reason it wouldn't happen is that they have an
incredibly busy docket" and there are only a few legislative
days left.
Business leaders are increasingly pessimistic Congress can reach
agreement on chips funding before they leave for the holidays.
On Nov. 17, House and Senate leaders said they would negotiate
toward final agreement on a bill to boost U.S. technology
competitiveness with China and semiconductor manufacturing.
The Senate approved legislation in June to award $52 billion for
semiconductor manufacturing and authorize $190 billion to
strengthen U.S. technology and research.
Representative Eddie Bernice Johnson, who chairs the House
Science, Space, and Technology Committee, said Thursday at a
hearing she backs funding but said "a one-time infusion of
funding will not be enough to maintain U.S. leadership in
microelectronics innovation."
Representative Frank Lucas, the top Republican on the panel,
said lawmakers have "been ready to go for months....Time is
short to address our future domestic chip needs. We need to act
now because I can tell you that our competitors aren’t waiting."
(Reporting by David Shepardson; Editing by Cynthia Osterman)
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