For Immediate Release: July 19, 2022

Contact: Matt Spence  202-728-6014

IBEW President Lonnie Stephenson’s Statement in Support of the CHIPS Act

Lonnie Stephenson, President of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW), issued the following statement in support of the CHIPS Act of 2022, which will promote domestic semiconductor manufacturing in the United States:

“The IBEW’s 775,000 members support the CHIPS Act’s $52 billion investment in promoting the domestic semiconductor manufacturing industry. This is a critical first step toward bringing industries critical to American commerce and national security back to the United States, where American workers can reap the benefits of the necessary technology. Semiconductors are a key component of smartphones, automobiles, advanced medical equipment and other consumer products that have suffered from supply chain problems and global shortages.

The Act will incentivize domestic manufacturing and enhance global competitiveness while helping to address supply chain issues. During the pandemic, semiconductors became increasingly unavailable at a time when the manufacturing of lifesaving medical equipment needed to be ramped up exponentially.

As a union representing thousands of workers in electrical manufacturing, it has long been a priority of the IBEW to re-shore domestic manufacturing. The CHIPS Act will ensure that an adequate domestic supply of semiconductors is available to meet the demands of rapidly advancing technologies.

The IBEW’s 775,000 members urge swift passage of this vital legislation.”

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The International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) represents approximately 775,000 members and retirees who work in a wide variety of fields, including construction, utilities, manufacturing, telecommunications, broadcasting, railroads and government.