"Mark my words ... if Labor Day comes and goes and this Chips
Act isn't passed by Congress, these companies will not wait and
they will expand in other countries," she warned in an interview
on CNBC.
Both houses of Congress have passed versions of legislation to
make the United States more competitive with China that include
the chip funding.
However, lawmakers have so far failed to reach consensus on a
final version of the sprawling package, despite a global chip
crunch.
Raimondo's warning came after Taiwan's GlobalWafers announced
plans earlier on Monday to build a $5 billion plant in Sherman,
Texas to produce the silicon wafers needed for chipmaking.
Raimondo said the company's CEO told her the investment was
contingent on Congress approving the funding.
"The consequences to our national security are grave. If we
don't get this passed, and if you're not going to be able to get
everything you want in this, it's time to move on because we
cannot wait," she admonished lawmakers.
GlobalWafers did not immediately respond to a Reuters' request
for comment.
The persistent industry-wide shortage of chips has disrupted
production in the automotive and electronics industries, forcing
some firms to scale back production.
(Reporting by Alexandra Alper and Eric Beech; Editing by Sam
Holmes)
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