Wicker Praises Research, STEM Education Provisions in New CHIPS Act

Press Release

U.S. Senator Roger Wicker, R-Miss., ranking member of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, today released a fact sheet praising the strong research and development and science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) education provisions included in the Senate's new CHIPS Act of 2022, which is slated for a final vote next week.

"The new CHIPS Act of 2022 creates a comprehensive response to China's growing technology dominance, which poses a massive threat to our national security," Wicker said.

"The new language includes many research funding, security, and STEM education provisions that are essential if the U.S. hopes to outcompete China and protect our intellectual property."

Wicker was a key negotiator on the new package, noting that he would be adamantly opposed to any proposal to provide support for semiconductor manufacturers that did not also include significant investments in research and development and STEM education to help the U.S. outcompete China.

Among other provisions Wicker championed, the new CHIPS Act would significantly reduce geographic disparities in research and development funding through the National Science Foundation (NSF) by ensuring 20 percent of funding would be set aside for the 25 states and three territories that are included in NSF Established Program to Stimulate Competitive Research (EPSCoR) jurisdictions.

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