Michael Burgess: “I thank the gentleman for yielding. Mr. Speaker, I do rise today in support of S. 2228, the Building Chips in America…”

“I thank the gentleman for yielding. Mr. Speaker, I do rise today in support of S. 2228, the Building Chips in America Act. Last week, Members of the Texas delegation sent a letter to our leadership requesting that we prioritize this crucial piece of legislation. I certainly thank, of course, Chairman Lucas as well as Speaker Johnson and Majority Leader Scalise for considering bringing the Building Chips in America Act to the floor this week. We have heard over and over how semiconductors are necessary for some of the most vital technology we have today. Let's also be clear. The NEPA process is valuable. The environmental impact assessments and reviews that are conducted in this country are a pragmatic symbol of the American people's commitment to environmental conservatism and land management. However, efficiency is sometimes lacking. My friend, the ranking member of the Energy and Commerce Committee, Mr. Pallone, the gentleman from New Jersey, said this is a solution in search of a problem. Hardly. Hardly. NEPA's red tape means that many semiconductor projects are delayed, manufacturers are becoming discouraged in developing domestic manufacturing projects, and certainly that is evident in my home State of Texas. This legislation is important to Texas, and we have remained at the forefront of a national resurgence in high-tech manufacturing.…”