[Congressional Record Volume 168, Number 25 (Tuesday, February 8, 2022)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E126-E127]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




            BIOECONOMY RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT ACT OF 2021

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                               speech of

                            HON. DARREN SOTO

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, February 2, 2022

  Mr. SOTO. Madam Speaker, I want to commend the authors of the America 
COMPETES Act of 2022 for including $52 billion to incentivize private-
sector investments and continued American leadership in semiconductor 
manufacturing to help address supply chain disruptions and ensure that 
more semiconductors are produced here at home.
  Within my central Florida district is the NeoCity technology campus 
which is recognized as an emerging microelectronics and advanced 
manufacturing hub, that has already made synergies with institutions of 
higher education across Florida and key partnerships with the U.S. 
Department of Defense and U.S. Department of Commerce. NeoCity is home 
to BRIDG, a not-for-profit, public-private partnership specializing in 
domestic semiconductor research, development, and manufacturing. Imec, 
a world-renowned international research and development organization 
active in semiconductor design and architecture. SUSS MicroTec, a 
leading supplier of equipment and process solutions for the 
semiconductor industry. And SkyWater Technology, the only U.S. owned 
and operated pure play trusted foundry, that works on leading-edge 
advanced packaging technology. They all work in collaboration out of 
the Center for Neovation, one of the most state-of-the-art advanced 
manufacturing facilities in the western hemisphere. As envisioned by 
this important legislation, the facilities, and experts at BRIDG, imec, 
SUSS MicroTec, and SkyWaterTechnology offer immediate capability to 
accelerate U.S. production of critical semiconductor chips, strengthen 
the domestic supply chain so chips are made in America, and turbocharge 
our research capacity. Equally as important, the NeoCity Academy, a 
public STEM magnet high school, is training the leaders of tomorrow's 
science and technology workforce.
  I am proud of the work being undertaken in my district to support 
domestic semiconductor manufacturing technology development as they 
work to address the supply chain. I look forward to working with the 
Administration and the U.S. Department of Commerce on implementation of 
the American Competes Act and the CHIPS for America Fund.

[[Page E127]]

  I appreciate the inclusion of three amendments for consideration in 
the final passage of the COMPETES Act:
  CHIPS Funding to Non-Profits: Adds nonprofits to the definition of 
``covered entities'' to expand the semiconductor incentive program to 
include nonprofit entities. This clarifies that non-profit entities 
like the 501(c) facilities in NeoCity are also eligible for funding 
under the semiconductor incentive program.
  AI JOBS Amendment (H.R. 6553): Directs the Department of Labor to 
create a report analyzing the future of artificial intelligence and its 
impact on the American Workforce. Specifically, the report would 
collect data to analyze which industries are protected to have the most 
growth through artificial intelligence, and the demographics which may 
experience expanded career opportunities and those most vulnerable to 
job displacement. This is an inclusion of the standalone bill H.R. 
6553, the AI JOBS Act.
  Blockchain & Crypto Specialist w/in OSTP: Requires the Director of 
the Office of Science and Technology Policy to establish a blockchain 
and cryptocurrencies advisory specialist position within the Office to 
advise the President on matters related to blockchain and 
cryptocurrencies. OSTP advises the President and others within the 
Executive Office of the President on the scientific, engineering, and 
technological aspects of the economy, national security, homeland 
security, health, foreign relations, and the environment. it is 
critical to create such a position within OSTP to ensure there is a 
policy expert capable of advising the President and others within the 
Executive Office on these issues of growing national importance.
  The Restoring Resilient Reefs Act (RRRA) reauthorizes the Coral Reef 
Conservation Act (CRCA), which expired nearly fifteen years ago. It 
maintains the NOAA Coral Reef program, while also introducing overdue 
improvements to coral management and restoration efforts and giving 
innovative new tools to partners who are closest to this crisis: 
states, territories, tribes, communities, and universities.


                            key provisions.

  A 5-year authorization with an explicit focus on restoration 
activities where natural disasters and human actives have degraded reef 
ecosystems. This program is currently funded at $33M for 2021 but 
without further direction by Congress.
  Creates a block grant program where states and territories can 
receive federal ``matching funds'' for the prior year's coral 
expenditures, provided they have an action plan in place, which will 
incentivize increased state and local investment of in coral reef 
management capacity.
  Intergovernmental partnerships are key for water infrastructure 
upgrades, pollution mitigation efforts and regrowing reefs,
  Allows for the formation of a public-private partnerships for coral 
management, called ``Coral Stewardship Partnerships.''
  Public-Private partnerships are critical for sharing researching.
  Authorizes the U.S. Coral Reef Task Force, to ensure states, 
territories, and other stakeholders continue to have a voice in U.S 
coral reef management. Public feedback is essential.
  Establishes of a single streamlined set of guidelines for ``action 
plans'' to implement the national strategy, with maximum flexibility 
given to state and local authorities. These action plans will focus 
restoration efforts more effectively.
  Allows for emergency grants and emergency funds for coral disasters. 
This will assist with Hurricanes, typhoons, tsunamis, as well as oil 
spills and other major pollution events.

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