Republicans Claim Credit for CHIPS Act Support Amid Bipartisan Praise for Tech Hubs and Climate Initiatives.

Several Republicans who voted against the CHIPS and Science Act are now taking credit for its support for tech hubs, many of which are devoted to energy and environmental issues. The law was one of the major accomplishments of President Joe Biden’s first two years and as they did with the Inflation Reduction Act and the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, these Republicans are now expressing their support. The bill was a bipartisan product in the Senate, sponsored by Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) and Sen. Todd Young (R-Ind), with backing from Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (r-Ky). It passed the House 64-32 and included a $50 billion authorization for the Department of Energy’s Office of Science and billions of dollars to help U.S. manufacturers produce semiconductors and chips necessary for electric cars and other clean tech. Of the 31 tech hubs designated last month, 15 would directly assist the Biden administration’�s climate goals. However, Rep. Maria Elvira Salazar, a top Democratic target, has been particularly enthusiastic about the designation of the South Florida Climate Resilience Tech Hub, despite voting against the bill.