United Auto Workers (UAW) Legislative Representative Desiree Hoffman joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast and gave an update on the U.S. Innovation and Competition Act (USICA).
Hoffman said that if passed, the USICA would provide $52 billion in chips funding and $2 billion to the auto sector to encourage the domestic production of semiconductor chips. She called it critical for Congress to pass the legislation in the next couple of weeks or risk Intel pulling out of its $20 billion chip plant in central Ohio and potentially moving the facility overseas. However, multiple media outlets have reported construction of the first phase of the Intel project is underway and will not be impacted by the USICA.
Hoffman said Senate Minority Leaders Mitch McConnnell (R-Ky.) has threatened to hold the USICA hostage if Democrats decide to pass the Senate’s Reconciliation bill. She expressed the UAW’s frustrations that the reconciliation bill no longer includes electric vehicle tax credits.
Listen to the entire episode to learn more about these topics.