This week the House Science, Space & Technology Committee passed its own version of the Endless Frontier Act, and it will now head to the full House of Representatives for consideration. Last week the Senate passed the American Innovation and Competition Act, formerly known as the Endless Frontier Act, which included funding for domestic chip manufacturing incentive programs. While the differences in the House and Senate bills will need to be resolved, it is expected that a fix for the chip shortage, as part of a larger package to address China’s growing influence, could be one of the few pieces of legislation to pass Congress with overwhelming bipartisan support this year.
Also this week, Senate Finance Committee Chairman Ron Wyden (D-OR) and Ranking Member Mike Crapo (R-ID) introduced new legislation to bolster U.S. chip manufacturing. The Facilitating American Built Semiconductors (FABS) Act would create a 25 percent federal tax credit for investments in semiconductor manufacturing.
ICYMI
This week, in the latest installment from “Dealers Make An Impact,” AIADA Chairman Steve Gates sat down with Representative Andy Barr (R-KY) to discuss the importance of dealer activism, the issues facing the U.S. auto industry, and even what kind of car he drives.
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Dealers Make an Impact is an effort to encourage dealers, dealership employees, and industry partners to engage with Congress to show how Dealers Make An Impact on their communities, and how, even without flying in to DC, dealers can make an impact on decisions in Washington right from their dealership floor.
CALL TO ACTION: EVs
Proposed Senate legislation would add an additional $2,500 in tax credits for cars built in the U.S., and another $2,500 for cars built in the U.S. at facilities represented by unionized labor. Favoring union-built vehicles over other vehicles built in the U.S. has no value to the environment, and the motivation behind such an incentive can be nothing less than political favoritism. AIADA Chairman Steve Gates issued a call to action in his latest blog urging dealers to contact their Members of Congress and urge them to oppose this un-American proposal. If you haven’t already, take action today!
Quotes of the Week
“Chips are a critical technology in our economy, as recent supply chain disruptions and shortages have made crystal clear. The supply of everything from computers to cars is affected by these shortages, and the way to fix this problem is to bring chip manufacturing back to the United States.”
-Senator Ron Wyden (D-OR) (Inside U.S. Trade)
“We recognize that driving resiliency in supply chains won’t be solved by domestic production alone being the solution and we need to continue to develop cooperation and coordination with allies and partners.”
-Sameera Fazili, Deputy National Economic Council Director (Inside U.S. Trade)
“It’s really important that Representatives in Congress listen to their constituents about what’s working and what’s not working.”
-Representative Andy Barr (R-KY) (www.aiada.org)
Friday Feel Good
Here is a recent example of how the international nameplate auto industry is doing good in communities across the U.S.:
Findlay Automotive Group in Nevada recently made donations to Foundation for an Independent Tomorrow (FIT) Las Vegas, a vocational job training program, and the Just 1 Project, which connects people in the local community with volunteer opportunities.
We want to hear more about how you are supporting your local community during this difficult time – tweet us at @AIADA_News and use the hashtag #DealersDoGood.
