United Auto Workers (UAW) Legislative Director Josh Nassar joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast and discussed two pieces of legislation intended to strengthen domestic manufacturing and provide funding for domestic semiconductor manufacturing.
In February, the U.S. House passed the America Creating Opportunities for Manufacturing, Pre-Eminence in Technology and Economic Strength (COMPETES) Act of 2022, which was the House response to the Senate’s U.S. Innovation and Competition Act, passed last June. The House and the Senate are now working to reconcile the two different bills with a goal to create a final legislative package.
Only one Republican voted for the America COMPETES Act, with many Republicans citing the cost of the package as the reason for their opposition, Nassar said. Hopefully, the two congressional bodies can reconcile the different bills and pass meaningful legislation soon, he added.
Nassar also expects provisions of the stalled “Build Back Better” budget reconciliation bill to be resurrected in various pieces of legislation before the midterm elections.
He then talked about the need for improved electric vehicle tax credits, which had been part of the “Build Back Better” bill. The provision continues to be negotiated, but will hopefully be included in a finalized bill, he said.
Listen to the entire episode to learn more about these topics: