[Congressional Record Volume 168, Number 24 (Monday, February 7, 2022)]
[Senate]
[Page S533]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




              UNITED STATES INNOVATION AND COMPETITION ACT

  Mr. DURBIN. Madam President, last year, for the first time in more 
than two decades, America's economy grew faster than China's. That is 
incredible. Let's keep that streak going by passing USICA, the 
bipartisan U.S. Innovation and Competition Act. We need to promote 
products made in the United States by Americans and purchased in the 
United States. We passed it in the Senate last June by a vote of 2 to 
1. The House passed its version last Friday. Let's go to conference and 
get this bill into law. If we negotiate in good faith, I believe we can 
do that.
  I want to thank Leader Schumer and Senator Young, a Republican from 
Indiana, for their leadership.
  This will boost competitiveness with China and help to 
reindustrialize America, make investments in manufacturing and 
research, and provide seed money to create good new jobs. Importantly, 
it includes $52 billion for research and designing and manufacturing 
semiconductor chips--what Senator Cantwell, chair of the Commerce 
Committee, calls the ``oil of the 21st century.'' Let's agree to make 
those chips here in America and not be dependent on importing them from 
China.
  USICA also allows for new sanctions against China for human rights 
violations. We can stand up for American workers and American values.
  I yield the floor.
  I suggest the absence of a quorum.
  The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tempore. The clerk will call the roll.
  The bill clerk proceeded to call the roll.
  Mr. GRASSLEY. Madam President, I ask unanimous consent that the order 
for the quorum call be rescinded.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER (Ms. Duckworth). Without objection, it is so 
ordered.

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