The U.S. Senate passed a key procedural vote on the Chip Chip Act (CHIPS-plus) by a vote of 64 to 32 on Tuesday (26th). It was passed in time for President Biden’s signature before the August recess.
The Senate was originally scheduled to vote on the so-called “cloture vote” process on Monday to break the “filibuster” (also translated as dragging things out) situation, but due to weather factors affecting the schedule of some senators, the decision was made. was delayed until Tuesday. The “closing debate” usually requires the approval of more than two-thirds of the members (60 votes in the Senate). After the step of “closing the debate” is voted, the debate process that symbolizes the end of the entire bill is over.
Senate Leader Chuck Schumer expressed the hope that lawmakers will continue to complete the legislation as planned as soon as possible, and called the legislation an important step for economic, national and supply chain security. vote on the bill.
Biden said a few days ago that this legislation can improve the competitiveness and technological advantages of the United States, and urged the bill to be passed as soon as possible.
In addition to appropriating $52 billion to subsidize the semiconductor industry, the CHIPS-plus Act also proposes to provide a 25% investment tax credit for semiconductor companies and equipment manufacturers, and includes an allocation of $500 million for the International Secure Communications Program, 200 million $1.5 billion in employee training and $1.5 billion in public wireless supply chain innovation.
The results of the vote came as Democratic Senator Joe Manchin and Republican Senator Lisa Murkowski recently tested positive for the novel coronavirus and were absent from voting on the bill. While the two lawmakers won’t influence the Senate’s passage of the bill, they could hinder Democrats from achieving other legislative goals before the August recess.