Senate hearing to examine US semiconductor supply chains, competitiveness

As U.S. semiconductor manufacturers confront supply chain issues and inflationary issues exacerbated by the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and the Russia-Ukraine conflict, lawmakers will explore the challenges facing American chipmakers.

The Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation will convene a hearing March 23 titled "Developing Next Generation Technology for Innovation." The hearing's purpose is to "examine the correlation between American competitiveness and semiconductors" and investigate "the impact of vulnerabilities in our semiconductor supply chains," according to a news release.

The meeting will address legislation aimed at boosting U.S. semiconductor production, including two bills in particular: the U.S. Innovation and Competition Act, or USICA, of 2021 and the America COMPETES Act of 2022.

The COMPETES Act would, among other things, provide federal funding for the domestic production of semiconductors and require the federal government to take action on cybersecurity, defense procurements and inflation.

USICA would provide funding to support U.S. semiconductor manufacturing, research and development, and supply chain security. Other provisions of the bill propose to fund wireless supply chain innovation and impose sanctions on China for cybersecurity and human rights abuses.

Both bills would build on the CHIPS For America Act, which was signed in 2021 to authorize new semiconductor manufacturing in the U.S.

Intel Corp. Global Executive Director Jayne Stancavage recently told lawmakers the act was a successful first step, but the U.S. government must continue investing in domestic semiconductor production to keep up with planned 5G deployment.

"Federal investment is urgently needed to reverse this erosion by leveling the playing field for America's semiconductor industry," Stancavage wrote in her March 16 testimony.

Intel CEO Pat Gelsinger, Micron Technology Inc. CEO Sanjay Mehrotra, Lam Research Corp. CEO Tim Archer and Paccar Inc. CEO Preston Feight are expected to provide testimony during the hearing.

	Government
	March 22	The Senate Commerce Committee will convene an executive session to consider several pieces of legislation, including the Next Generation Telecommunications Act, which would establish the "Next Generation Telecommunications Council." The council would advise Congress on 6G advancements and other advanced wireless communications technologies, including the use of such technologies for smart cities or communities.
	March 22	The Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs will hold a hearing entitled, "Building a Resilient Economy: Shoring Up Supply."
	March 23	The Senate Commerce Committee will hold a hearing titled "Developing Next Generation Technology for Innovation."
	Industry, legal and think tank events
	March 23	The Information Technology Industry Council will hold a discussion featuring Sen. Gary Peters, D-Mich., chairman of the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee. The discussion will center on the constantly evolving cyber landscape.
	March 24	The Trust & Safety Professional Association will hold a webinar titled "Trust and Safety and the Decentralized Web."

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