BLOOMINGTON, MN – This week, Rep. Dean Phillips (MN-03) celebrated with Minnesota business leaders as the CHIPS and Science Act was signed into law. Phillips helped pass the bipartisan competitiveness bill through the House this July. It will strengthen Minnesota families’ financial future, revitalize our competitiveness on the world stage, and safeguard America’s economic and national security. 

“The nationwide shortage of semiconductor chips has negatively impacted American workers, consumers, and global businesses located right here in Minnesota,” said Rep. Phillips. “This law is a win for America and for Minnesota. With bipartisan leadership, we were able to support innovation and reestablish our nation’s economic strength in the global marketplace.”

Earlier this week, Phillips worked a shift at SkyWater Technology in Bloomington as part of his ongoing “On the Job” series at Minnesota businesses. There, he learned how the CHIPS and Science Act will advance America’s global competitiveness through significant investments in domestic semiconductor innovation and manufacturing, lower costs for families, create jobs, curtail our dependence on foreign manufacturers, and bolster American innovation. CLICK FOR PHOTOS of Phillips working in the SkyWater Technology lab.

SkyWater President and CEO Thomas Sonderman attended the bill signing ceremony in the White House Rose Garden on Tuesday. “The CHIPS and Science Act signals a major step forward for U.S. semiconductor companies and it was an honor to be present at this historic event,” said Sonderman. “I applaud President Biden for recognizing that semiconductors are indeed our nation’s infrastructure and I thank Rep. Phillips and other members of Congress who worked together to pass this important bill. As a prominent semiconductor manufacturer in Minnesota, we intend to pursue funding for expansion of our fab to do our part in reshoring and create more American jobs.”

Other Minnesota innovators joined Sonderman and Phillips in celebrating the news:

“As the US manufacturing arm within the global Tokyo Electron (TEL) team, we are proud to design and build semiconductor manufacturing equipment which provides Technology Enabling Life. This landmark legislation is recognition of the vital role our company and industry plays in our economy and the way we live and work,” said Mark Dougherty, President of TEL Manufacturing and Engineering of America, Inc.

“We at Onto Innovation are excited about the CHIPS Act and we believe it will be good for National Security, competitiveness with other countries, help reduce future supply chain disruptions, and bolster the U.S. economy.  We hope to get funding to support the expansion of our facility and job creation in Bloomington, Minnesota,” said Mike Plisinski, CEO Onto Innovation. “We are grateful for the Congressman’s support of the legislation and of our company, and we look forward to working together to help secure funding.”

Click here for a summary of the provisions found in the CHIPS and Science Act. 

The CHIPS and Science Act will reassert America’s economic independence and scientific dominance by:  

• Investing over $52 billion to help manufacturers build, expand, or modernize domestic facilities and equipment to research, develop, and produce semiconductors
• Lowering costs, and ending our dependence on foreign manufacturers by returning semiconductor development and manufacturing to the U.S. 
• Creating 100,000 good-paying jobs by building hi-tech manufacturing facilities here in America
• Bolstering American research and development by powering America’s dominance in scientific research and technological leadership
• Diversifying and expanding our innovation workforce to ensure communities across the country can take part in American research and development

The CHIPS and Science Act will ensure that federal semiconductor investments go straight into Minnesota’s economy by:  

• Prohibiting companies from using CHIPS funding for dividend payments or stock buybacks
• Barring recipients from expanding semiconductor manufacturing capabilities in countries of concern, including China, North Korea, Iran, and Russia
• Requiring strong oversight and tight Congressional control over the use of federal funds 

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