Originally published in Malvern Patch.

MALVERN, PA - An all out effort by U.S. Rep. Chrissy Houlahan to bring more manufacturing jobs to Pennsylvania came to fruition this week when a bipartisan bill, known as the CHIPS ACT of 2022 to allocate $52 billion to producing semiconductors landed on President Biden's desk.

Houlahan, a Chester County Democrat who also represents southeastern Berks County, began pushing the bipartisan bill shortly after the Ukraine war broke out in February.

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.

Semiconductors are used in electronic devices including mobile phones, many home appliances, and autos.

"CHIPS is a good example of Democrats and Republicans coming together on legislation that helps our businesses, consumers, and economy," Houlahan said Friday.

The House vote was 243 to 187. In Pennsylvania delegation, nine Democrats and one Republican voted for the CHIPS 2022 Act.

Brian Fitzpatrick, a Bucks County Republican, voted for the bill. Eight Republicans member voted no.

"I'm proud of this legislation and will continue to reach across the aisle for the good of our community, Commonwealth, and country," Houlahan said.

The Produce Semiconductors and Science Act will dramatically increase the domestic chip production, grow STEM workforce, bolster domestic 5G capabilities, expand cutting edge research and development through the National Science Foundation, and more.

Tour of Malvern-based semiconductor manufacturer

In June, Houlahan hosted Secretary of Commerce, Gina Raimondo, for a tour and roundtable at Vishay Intertechnology in Malvern.

Vishay is a local manufacturer of semiconductors, and Houlahan invited the secretary to visit in response to the global semiconductor shortage.
"We have some of the best manufacturers in the world right here in Pennsylvania," Houlahan said Friday.

"My district is home to multiple semiconductor manufacturers and the passage of CHIPS will make our supply chains more resilient, lower costs, and help us to outcompete China."

Vishay has 22,000 employees worldwide.

"Semiconductors are known as the brains of modern technology," Dave Valletta, executive vice president of sales at Vishay, said during the roundtable discussion. "To survive, we have to stay on the edge of technology."

While the first semiconductors were developed in Silicon Valley, Taiwan has become the leading manufacturer of semiconductors.

"Bring it back home," Houlahan said at the meeting in June. "We have to make sure we are working very quickly."