WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Representative Chrissy Houlahan (D-PA) issued the following statement after the passage of H.R. 7372, the Protecting Semiconductor Supply Chain Materials from Authoritarians Act, which earned support from a majority of members on both sides of the aisle:

“Too often, fighting among members of Congress makes headlines while bipartisan progress on important issues gets overlooked,” said Houlahan. “As our nation grapples with chip shortages, I wasn’t surprised to see this bill pass with overwhelmingly bipartisan support. Our supply chain issues won’t be solved overnight but this is another important step in the right direction by enabling our manufacturers to lower costs and combat inflation.” 

H.R. 7372, the Protecting Semiconductor Supply Chain Materials from Authoritarians Act, was one of the 29 bills that was debated and passed the House this week with overwhelming bipartisan support. This bill would force federal agencies to work together to assess the impact of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine on the availability of semiconductor chips and to address any risks in the supply chain. It now goes to the Senate.

Semiconductors are critical components of things we use every day, including mobile phones, many home appliances, and autos. Approximately half of the world’s supply of semiconductor-grade Neon, a key ingredient in the making of chips, is supplied by companies based in Ukraine.   

Houlahan recently returned from a bipartisan congressional delegation to key U.S. ally and partner countries Australia and India for high-level engagements with defense and foreign policy officials about national security challenges in the Indo-Pacific region, including supply chain independence from China. Joining her were the Chairman of the House Armed Services Committee, Adam Smith (D-Washington) and colleague, Austin Scott (R-Georgia).

“Partnerships like [these] will help the democratic countries in the region offer a compelling alternative to Xi Jinping’s model of authoritarianism both at home and around the world,” said Chairman Smith. “China’s deep relationship with Russia, a country whose leader Vladimir Putin has earned global scorn for his unlawful invasion of Ukraine, further demonstrates Beijing’s willingness to challenge international rules and norms designed to promote peace and prosperity for everyone. Countries around the world deserve a better choice than what Xi and Putin have to offer — and the United States, Australia, India, and our allies and partners can provide a safer, freer, more prosperous way.”

Read more about the Protecting Semiconductor Supply Chain Materials from Authoritarians Act here.

Houlahan is an Air Force veteran, an engineer, a serial entrepreneur, an educator and a nonprofit leader. She represents Pennsylvania’s 6th Congressional District, which encompasses Chester County and southern Berks County. She serves on the House Armed Services Committee, the House Foreign Affairs Committee and the House Small Business Committee. She is the cofounder of the Congressional Inflation Working Group and is the recipient of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce’s Abraham Lincoln Leadership for America Award which “recognizes members who demonstrate the bipartisan leadership and constructive governing necessary to move our country forward.”

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