WASHINGTON, D.C. – The following statement can be attributed to a U.S. Chamber spokesman.
"The Chamber strongly supports the legislative effort in Congress to advance policies to strengthen the ability of American workers and companies to compete globally, including with China.
We were pleased to support the Senate-passed U.S. Innovation and Competition Act (USICA), which would bolster new investments in basic research, fund the CHIPS for America Act to strengthen U.S. semiconductor capacity, and renew trade programs critical for U.S. workers and businesses. An open, bipartisan process improved that legislation and allowed it to win the support of two-thirds of the Senate last June.
We are pleased that the House is now starting the process of considering its version of this legislation. House action is an essential step in producing a bill that can be signed into law. While there are many things in common between the House and Senate bills, the current House draft has several flaws and includes problematic provisions excluded from the Senate bill.
There are several amendments that can improve the bill. We urge House members to engage in a robust and bipartisan amendment process as well as a formal conference with the Senate – with both Republicans and Democrats at the table – so that we can address areas of concern and produce a durable, bipartisan law that meets the challenges confronting our nation. The time for action is now."
