Press Releases

Congresswoman Leger Fernández voted for historic, bipartisan legislation to strengthen New Mexico families’ financial future, boost America’s research advantage, and safeguard our economic and national security for generations to come. 

The CHIPS and Science Act will deliver  investments in America’s global competitiveness. It will create jobs, reduce costs, end dependence on foreign manufacturers, and provide support for American innovation. Previously passed by the Senate, this legislation now heads to the President’s desk to be signed into law. 

“The CHIPS and Science Act is a major victory for New Mexico families and the New Mexico economy,” said Rep. Leger Fernández. “This bold investment will create good-paying jobs while ensuring America continues to innovate, compete, and succeed. When we lower the cost of chips we lower the cost of everything that relies on them  ”

“The CHIPS and Science Act will produce semiconductors and reinvigorate the manufacturing industry here at home, lowering costs, and bolstering our independence from foreign suppliers like China. This is how we favor our economy. I’m especially excited about the opportunity to bring research investments to local communities and broaden New Mexico’s STEAM workforce.  Because we know the STEM fields also benefit from creativity.  New Mexico — with its semiconductor manufacturing, research labs, minority serving colleges and universities and a population eager to participate in this innovation economy — will be a big beneficiary of CHIPS. This is how we build our enchanted innovation economy.” concluded Leger Fernández.

A nationwide shortage of semiconductor chips has severely disrupted American manufacturing – slowing down production, spiking prices and increasing dependence on unfriendly foreign nations.  Only 12 percent of semiconductor chips are currently manufactured domestically – a dramatic drop from 37 percent in the 1990s – while foreign competitors are investing heavily to dominate this critical national security industry. Other nations have also begun to outpace the United States’ research advantage – threatening American preeminence in technology and scientific innovation.   

The bipartisan CHIPS and Science Act will reverse these dangerous trends, reasserting America’s economic independence and scientific dominance. Among other things it will help make more critical semiconductor components in America and diversify the innovation workforce. It also includes guardrails to ensure that semiconductor investments go straight into New Mexico’s economy, not corporate pockets or unfriendly nations. 

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