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TAYLOR, Mich. – Representative Debbie Dingell (MI-12) today was joined by Speaker Nancy Pelosi and UAW President Ray Curry at the UAW Region 1A in Taylor to hear from auto industry workers directly about the impact of the ongoing semiconductor chip shortage. Lieutenant Governor Garlin Gilchrist, UAW Region 1A Director Laura Dickerson, House Democratic Caucus Vice Chair Congressman Pete Aguilar (CA-31), Congressman Dan Kildee (MI-05), Congressman Andy Levin (MI-09), and Congresswoman Haley Stevens (MI-11) were also in attendance. 

“The semiconductor chip shortage continues to hurt the auto industry, union workers, and our nation’s competitiveness by the hour. We’ve already seen too many shuttered plants and laid-off workers because we are dependent on foreign supply chains for this critical part,” said Rep. Dingell. “I appreciate everyone who joined us today to share their experiences, and I thank my colleagues for their continued commitment to finding a solution to finally end this crisis. We’re at an inflection point for American manufacturing and innovation, and we must act now or risk falling behind our competitors. It’s time to bring America’s supply chain back home and keep it here.”

“It was a privilege to join the brothers and sisters of UAW as House Democrats fight to defend good-paying union jobs in Michigan,” Speaker Nancy Pelosi said. “The bipartisan Chips Act for America will help turbocharge the production of semiconductors here at home – reinvigorating our auto plants, creating nearly 100,000 Davis-Bacon jobs, slashing costs for working families and bolstering America’s independence from foreign manufacturers.  Once the Senate passes this urgently needed legislation, the House will swiftly send it to the President’s desk.”

“The hard-working members of the UAW who build cars, trucks, agricultural equipment, and construction equipment which keep our country strong have suffered because of the ongoing shortage of auto grade semiconductors,” said UAW President Ray Curry. “The shortage has forced layoffs and reduced hours for members throughout the country. The severity of the crisis stems from the fact that no auto grade semiconductors are produced in the United States. This should have never happened as this country used to be the dominate producer. Fortunately, Congress appears to be on the verge of passing the CHIPS Act, which would bolster US production and guard against future shortages. I want to thank Speaker Pelosi and House Democrats for their commitment to working people and support of the CHIPS Act.  I urge the Senate to pass the bill immediately so it can be approved by the House and sent to President Biden’s desk.” 

“Our UAW workers are counting on the Chips Act to secure and maintain their jobs and future jobs!” UAW Region 1 Director Laura Dickerson said.

“I was honored to welcome Speaker Pelosi, Representative Aguilar, and others to Michigan today to discuss how we overcome the semiconductor chips shortage and boost our state and national economic competitiveness,” said Lt. Governor Garlin Gilchrist II. “Through partnerships with semiconductor chip manufacturers like SK Siltron CSS and KLA, Governor Gretchen Whitmer and I have worked hard to train and grow Michigan’s workforce as we expand semiconductor research, development, and manufacturing in our state. We look forward to Congress’ quick passage of the CHIPS Act, and we are grateful for the Michigan congressional delegation’s work on this critical legislation. Governor Whitmer and I will never stop working to put Michigan in the lead on this issue and ensure the technologies of the future are made by high-skilled workers right here in Michigan.”

“No state understands the importance of semiconductors, and how investing in this critical industry will help working families, better than Michigan,” said Rep. Pete Aguilar, Vice Chair of the House Democratic Caucus. “Passing the CHIPS Act is going to protect American jobs from being shipped overseas. After years of bad policies that rewarded the wealthiest corporations for investing in foreign manufacturing, our country can become the leader in the semiconductor manufacturing industry, and that will create even more good-paying job with great benefits right here at home. Michiganders are incredibly fortunate to have leaders like Reps. Debbie Dingell, Dan Kildee, Brenda Lawrence, Andy Levin, Elissa Slotkin, Haley Stevens, and Rashida Tlaib working on their behalf in Congress.”

“American cars shouldn’t be wholly reliant on foreign-made chips to build cars and create American jobs. Right now, thousands of Michigan-made cars sit unfinished in Flint, just waiting for semiconductor chips that are made overseas. With this bipartisan bill, we can help bring chip production back to the United States, creating good-paying jobs and lowering costs for families,” said Rep. Dan Kildee. “By incentivizing long-term investments in America’s semiconductor manufacturing industry, this bill will strengthen Michigan’s economy, our national security and our competitiveness. I have been working with Republicans and Democrats to address this semiconductor shortage, and I look forward to sending this bill to the President’s desk.”

“The semiconductor shortage continues to wreak havoc across the auto industry and has put good-paying auto jobs at tremendous risk,” said Rep. Andy Levin. “I'm proud to join Democratic leadership to fight for policies that will help us make sure vital products are made in America and reverse years of misguided trade policy.”

“It was an honor to join UAW President Ray Curry, Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Vice Chair Pete Aguilar, and Members of the Michigan delegation today to discuss the impact of the semiconductor chip shortage in Michigan and the CHIPS+ bill,” said Rep. Haley Stevens.“While serving as a Member on the Conference Committee tasked with address this shortage and enhancing our global competitiveness, I remained laser focused on expressing urgency for this funding and encouraging Members of Congress on both sides of the aisle to stay at the negotiation table until we had a deal. I am proud that the CHIPS+ bill includes my own CHIPPING IN Act – a bill to develop a diverse and sustainable semiconductor workforce here in the U.S. that meets the evolving needs across the chips supply chain – in addition to many bipartisan provisions that I helped usher through the House Science Committee. This CHIPS+ bill is an investment in our people – it reflects our ability to reach higher, think deeper, and invent solutions to not only today’s problems, but solutions for tomorrow’s problems as well.”