The Senate passed legislation to support research and development in the computer chips and semiconductor industry, with nearly every Democrat voting for the legislation and a large number of Republicans joining them. The bill’s passage tees up a vote in the House of Representatives.
The legislation is meant to support manufacturing of semiconductor chips in the United States as a means for the US to compete with China and create jobs. Every Democratic senator voted for the legislation except for Senator Bernie Sanders, an Independent from Vermont who caucuses with Democrats, while 17 Republicans voted for the legislation. Democratic Senator Joe Manchin of West Virginia and Republican Senator Lisa Murkowski of Alaska did not vote because they recently tested positive for Covid-19.
