United States Sen. Martin Heinrich (D-NM) was among a group of senators that successfully passed a microchip manufacturing permitting reform bill, the Building Chips in America Act, as part of the National Defense Authorization Act.

US Senator Martin Heinrich (D)

Heinrich, Arizona Sen. Mark Kelly, Sens. Ted Cruz (R-TX), Todd Young (R-IN), Bill Hagerty (R-TN), Sherrod Brown (D-OH),  Kyrsten Sinema (I-AZ) and Ted Budd (R-NC) highlighted the successful passage of the NDAA Thursday.

The Building Chips in America Act was introduced earlier this month and added to the NDAA as Kelly Amendment 985. It will maximize the impact of the CHIPS and Science Act passed last year by streamlining federal reviews for chip manufacturing projects while keeping environmental protections in place. This will prevent construction delays for projects at Intel in New Mexico and across the country.

Intel, Samsung and other semiconductor foundries stand to receive billions in American taxpayer funding under the CHIPS and Science Act to expand fab capacity on US soil, according to documents released by the government’s Commerce Department.

Intel CEO Pat Gelsinger released the following statement after attending the ceremony in August at which President Joe Biden signed into law the U.S. CHIPS and Science Act:

“We are thrilled to see funding for the CHIPS Act enacted into law. Intel is committed to restoring end-to-end leadership, innovation and manufacturing here in the U.S. We are doing our part and the federal government has now done their part. Thanks to President Biden, Secretary Raimondo, bipartisan leaders in Congress and everybody involved in supporting the semiconductor industry. We look forward to working with the Department of Commerce on the implementation of this important initiative.”

The Building Chips in America Act provision would significantly ramp up semiconductor fabrication facilities funded by the CHIPS and Science Act, which is especially important for job creation and sustainability for the 2,100 New Mexicans employed at the Rio Rancho Intel facility, which fabricates state-of-the-art semiconductor chips.

“New Mexico has long been at the cutting edge of the semiconductor industry,” Heinrich said. “With a culture of innovation and a diverse pool of talent, New Mexico is well-positioned to rapidly advance national goals for semiconductor innovation. This NDAA Amendment will be key to realizing the full potential of domestic semiconductor fabrication, and I look forward to continuing the work to ensure New Mexico’s leadership in this industry.”

Heinrich also secured key provisions to support New Mexico’s service members, military installations, national labs, and job-creating initiatives throughout the state with the passing of the NDAA.

Among the provisions in the NDAA is the authorization of $11 million for the New Mexico Army National Guard to construct a new vehicle maintenance shop in Rio Rancho.