North Austin News

U.S. Congressman Michael McCaul and Senator John Cornyn have emphasized the significance of the CHIPS program for bolstering semiconductor manufacturing in Texas and across the United States. In an op-ed published in the Austin American-Statesman, they urged President Donald Trump to prioritize this initiative as he resumes his presidency with Republican control of Congress.

The CHIPS program was initially introduced through the Creating Helpful Incentives to Produce Semiconductors (CHIPS) for America Act, signed into law in 2022. "We were proud to lead the Chips for America Act," McCaul and Cornyn stated, highlighting its role in revitalizing domestic semiconductor production after years of decline.

Since its inception, various Texas entities, including companies like Texas Instruments and Samsung, have benefited significantly from this legislation. The state's commitment was further demonstrated when Governor Greg Abbott signed the Texas CHIPS Act in 2023, establishing programs like the Texas Semiconductor Innovation Consortium.

Despite these advances, McCaul and Cornyn warned against complacency. They noted that much of today's advanced semiconductors are manufactured abroad—particularly in Taiwan—and stressed the need to address supply chain vulnerabilities identified by Trump's national security team.

"Four years later... we have an opportunity to refocus," they asserted, criticizing what they described as partisan barriers during President Biden's tenure. By streamlining regulatory processes under Trump's leadership, they argue that America can enhance its semiconductor production capacity swiftly.

The op-ed concluded with a call for continued investment: "By reclaiming CHIPS... we can increase manufacturing jobs... and strengthen America's edge."