Electronics

The US House of Representatives passed the $280 billion "Chip and Science Act" on the 28th local time, aiming to promote the development of the chip industry.

In the vote that day, 243 votes in favor and 187 votes against. Among them, 24 Republican members joined the Democratic camp to vote in favor. The bill includes appropriation of $52 billion to support computer chip manufacturing companies; companies that build chip factories in the United States will receive a 25% tax cut; another more than $200 billion will be used for many related scientific research projects.

The bill was passed by the Senate with 64 votes in favor and 33 against on the 27th, and will be sent to the White House to be formally signed into law by the president.

US President Biden issued a statement on the same day that the passage of the bill will reduce the prices of cars, home appliances, computers, etc., will create many high-paying manufacturing jobs, and will consolidate the United States' leadership in the industry.

Democratic lawmakers see the bill as critical to the U.S. economy and national security, as chips are increasingly necessary for the manufacture of electronics, cars, medical equipment and weapons systems. Some dissenting Republican lawmakers believe that in the current situation of high inflation, the huge investment in the bill will further increase inflation.

During the new crown epidemic, as the supply chain was affected, there was a shortage of chips in the United States. Some experts believe that the shortage of chips is also one of the reasons for the high inflation. For example, the shortage of chips has led to a reduction in the production of new cars, which has pushed up the prices of used cars.