SIA Applauds Introduction of Endless Frontier Act to Advance U.S. Technology Leadership
April 21, 2021 | SIAEstimated reading time: 2 minutes
The Semiconductor Industry Association (SIA) applauded congressional introduction of the Endless Frontier Act (S.1260), bipartisan legislation that seeks to maintain and build on U.S. science and technology leadership – including in semiconductors – by restructuring the National Science Foundation and authorizing more than $100 billion to science and technology initiatives. The legislation was introduced in the Senate today by Sens. Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) and Todd Young (R-Ind.) and a bipartisan group of cosponsors. SIA represents 98% of the U.S. semiconductor industry by revenue and nearly two-thirds of non-U.S. chip firms.
“Semiconductors are fundamental to America’s economy, national security, and global competitiveness, and the country that leads in chip technology will have a big leg up in deploying the game-changing technologies of the future,” said John Neuffer, SIA president and CEO. “We applaud introduction of the Endless Frontier Act and thank its sponsors for their bipartisanship and leadership in promoting American innovation and competitiveness, and we look forward to working with the Biden administration and Congress to further this effort by investing boldly in domestic semiconductor manufacturing and research.”
The Endless Frontier Act is an important part of a series of competitiveness measures needed to reinforce U.S. leadership in critical technologies, including semiconductors. The share of global semiconductor manufacturing capacity in the U.S. has decreased from 37% in 1990 to 12% today, according to a report by SIA and the Boston Consulting Group (BCG). This decline is largely due to substantial subsidies offered by the governments of our global competitors, placing the U.S. at a competitive disadvantage in attracting new construction of semiconductor manufacturing facilities, or “fabs.” Additionally, federal investment in semiconductor research has been flat as a share of GDP, while other governments have invested substantially in research initiatives to strengthen their own semiconductor capabilities.
Recognizing the critical role semiconductors play in America’s future, Congress in January enacted the CHIPS for America Act as part of the FY 2021 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). The new law calls for incentives for domestic semiconductor manufacturing and investments in chip research, but funding must be provided to make these provisions a reality.
The SIA/BCG report found a $50 billion federal investment in domestic semiconductor manufacturing incentives would reverse the trajectory of declining chip production in America and create as many as 19 major semiconductor manufacturing facilities, or fabs, and 70,000 direct high-paying jobs in the U.S. over the next 10 years, which by SIA calculations could create roughly an additional 350,000 indirect jobs throughout the economy (for a total of over 400,000 direct and indirect jobs).
President Biden has called for $50 billion to fund the semiconductor manufacturing and research provisions in the CHIPS for America Act. In February, the SIA board of directors – and later a broad coalition of business leaders led by SIA – called on President Biden to work with Congress to fund the semiconductor manufacturing incentives and research initiatives .
Suggested Items
I-Connect007 Editor’s Choice: Five Must-Reads for the Week
04/19/2024 | Marcy LaRont, PCB007 MagazineFor my must-read picks of the week, I’m highlighting Parker Capers, a young professional seeking employment, solid counsel from Dan Beaulieu on what your post-show plan should look like, more information and insight on “chiplets” and the need for secure data transfer standards from columnist Preeya Kuray, as well as Matt Stevenson’s design for reality wisdom. It’s a reminder to download one of our newest books (there are several) you don't want to miss if you are an assembler.
Absolute EMS Champions Collaboration Between Humans and Robots in Modern Manufacturing
04/19/2024 | Absolute EMS, Inc.Absolute EMS, Inc., an award-winning EMS provider of turnkey contract manufacturing services, offers a perfect factory environment that seamlessly blends robotic automation with human expertise.
ZESTRON Welcomes Whitlock Associates as New Addition to their Existing Rep Team in Florida
04/19/2024 | ZESTRONZESTRON, the leading global provider of high-precision cleaning products, services, and training solutions in the electronics manufacturing and semiconductor industries, is thrilled to announce the addition of Whitlock Associates to its esteemed network of sales representatives.
SEMI Applauds U.S. Chips Act Award for Samsung Electronics Facilities to Strengthen Domestic Semiconductor Supply Chain
04/17/2024 | SEMISEMI, the industry association serving the global electronics design and manufacturing supply chain, applauded the United States Department of Commerce’s announcement of a Preliminary Memorandum of Terms for an award under the CHIPS and Science Act to support the expansion of Samsung Electronics’ presence in Texas and the company’s development and production of leading-edge chips.
Ark Electronics Expands Global Manufacturing Factory Network in North America and Europe
04/17/2024 | PRNewswireElectronic Manufacturing Company Ark Electronics recently announced the expansion of its Global Factory Network with the addition of Electronics Manufacturing Service (EMS) capabilities in Mexico and Europe.