[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 120 (Thursday, July 13, 2023)]
[Senate]
[Page S2448]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]



                               CHIPS Act

  Mr. KELLY. Mr. President, when Congress passed the Chips and Science 
Act last summer, we made a promise to America that these historic 
investments would be felt in communities across the country--more 
microchip manufacturing facilities, more high-paying jobs that do not 
require a four-year degree, lower costs, a stronger supply chain, and a 
stronger economy.
  Since the CHIPS Act became law, companies have announced plans to 
invest hundreds of billions of dollars to bring microchip manufacturing 
back to America, including in Arizona.
  But here is the problem: As currently implemented, when these 
projects receive incentives through the CHIPS Act, they are subject to 
a new Federal review under a process called NEPA. This includes 
projects that have already received the necessary State and Federal 
environmental permits and are already under construction.
  So factories that are being built right now in places like Phoenix 
could be forced to pause construction and undergo a redundant Federal 
review. And that just doesn't work.
  So, this week, along with my colleagues, Senators Young, Brown, and 
Hagerty, I introduced the Building Chips in America Act. And this bill 
would speed up the construction of projects supported by the CHIPS Act 
by streamlining Federal permitting reviews and keeping in place bedrock 
environmental protections for clean air and clean water.
  To do this, the bill designates the Department of Commerce as the 
lead agency to carry out NEPA reviews for any CHIPS Act project. It 
also clarifies that certain projects, certain chips projects like those 
already under development with necessary permits, are not major Federal 
actions and, therefore, are not subject to a NEPA review.
  These measures would--would--prevent costly delays for projects, and 
right now, we have an opportunity to maximize the impact of the CHIPS 
Act for our economy and for our national security. Plans already 
underway that have received the necessary permits should not have to 
face extra hurdles.
  So let's cut the redtape, and let's start reaping the benefits of our 
historic CHIPS Act.
  I yield the floor.
  I suggest the absence of a quorum.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will call the roll.
  The senior assistant legislative clerk proceeded to call the roll.
  Mr. KELLY. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the order for 
the quorum call be rescinded.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.