North Austin News

U.S. Congressman Michael McCaul has expressed approval following the passage of the Building Chips in America Act of 2023. This legislation, which McCaul introduced alongside Representatives Jen Kiggans (R-Va.), Scott Peters (D-Calif.), Brandon Williams (R-N.Y.), and Colin Allred (D-Texas), aims to speed up the environmental regulatory process for domestic semiconductor chip manufacturing projects. The bill now awaits the president's signature.

“I introduced the CHIPS for America Act because — as President Trump’s national security team told me — there’s no time to waste in boosting domestic semiconductor chip production,” said Rep. McCaul. “The Building Chips in America Act will cement the intention of the CHIPS Act by ensuring timely production of these critical national security assets, creating thousands of American manufacturing jobs in the process. I am proud the House passed this crucial bill, which will solidify the United States’ global leadership in the semiconductor industry.”

Since the CHIPS for America Act became law, companies have announced plans to invest billions in new domestic chip manufacturing projects across Texas and other states. Despite their importance to national security, these projects might face delays due to lengthy National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) reviews. The Building Chips in America Act of 2023, also introduced in the Senate by Senators Ted Cruz (R-Texas) and Mark Kelly (D-Ariz.), seeks to ensure federal environmental reviews are completed promptly. It proposes streamlining approvals for ongoing and future projects and granting the secretary of commerce additional tools to conduct reviews more effectively.

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