Floor Statements

Mr. President, when Congress passed the Chips and Science Act last summer, we made a promise to America that these historic investments would be felt in communities across the country--more microchip manufacturing facilities, more high-paying jobs that do not require a four-year degree, lower costs, a stronger supply chain, and a stronger economy.

Since the CHIPS Act became law, companies have announced plans to invest hundreds of billions of dollars to bring microchip manufacturing back to America, including in Arizona.

But here is the problem: As currently implemented, when these projects receive incentives through the CHIPS Act, they are subject to a new Federal review under a process called NEPA. This includes projects that have already received the necessary State and Federal environmental permits and are already under construction.

So factories that are being built right now in places like Phoenix could be forced to pause construction and undergo a redundant Federal review. And that just doesn't work.

So, this week, along with my colleagues, Senators Young, Brown, and Hagerty, I introduced the Building Chips in America Act. And this bill would speed up the construction of projects supported by the CHIPS Act by streamlining Federal permitting reviews and keeping in place bedrock environmental protections for clean air and clean water.

To do this, the bill designates the Department of Commerce as the lead agency to carry out NEPA reviews for any CHIPS Act project. It also clarifies that certain projects, certain chips projects like those already under development with necessary permits, are not major Federal actions and, therefore, are not subject to a NEPA review.

These measures would--would--prevent costly delays for projects, and right now, we have an opportunity to maximize the impact of the CHIPS Act for our economy and for our national security. Plans already underway that have received the necessary permits should not have to face extra hurdles.

So let's cut the redtape, and let's start reaping the benefits of our historic CHIPS Act.

I yield the floor.

I suggest the absence of a quorum.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the order for the quorum call be rescinded.

I ask for the yeas and nays.

Madam President, the CHIPS for America Act uses innovative funding tools to incentivize private companies to construct, modernize, or expand advanced semiconductor manufacturing facilities in the United States. Properly structured, these incentives can encourage companies to build more facilities, faster, than without Federal support. In order to maximize this opportunity to bring chip manufacturing back to the United States, we can't allow redundant regulations to delay projects already underway.

The benefit of Federal funding has influenced the pace of investment in the U.S. At the same time, Federal funding doesn't control the outcome of projects that are currently being constructed. The role of the Department of Commerce under the CHIPS for America Act is to determine whether the project is worthy of investing taxpayer dollars.

The enactment of the CHIPS for America Act has greatly accelerated the pace of investment in the U.S., but a Federal grant will not create control over the outcome of project plans that are already being implemented. Notably, Arizona has four new leading-edge semiconductor fabs under construction. These were announced after the CHIPS for America Act was enacted and with the hope for potential Federal support, but companies aren't going to walk away from the multi-billion investment they have already made into these ongoing projects.

The change to the definition of ``major Federal action'' included in section 111 of H.R. 3746, the Fiscal Responsibility Act of 2023, will ensure that certain projects that would not otherwise be subject to the National Environmental Policy Act--NEPA--do not in fact trigger NEPA simply by receiving a Federal incentive investment through programs, like the CHIPS for America Act, where the provision of Federal funds does not control the outcome of the project. It is important to note that privately funded semiconductor manufacturing facilities undergo significant environmental reviews.

I am grateful that H.R. 3746 clarifies the scope of NEPA as it applies to this narrow subset of projects where Federal agencies do not control the outcome of a project.

Mr. President, today I rise to recognize the work of the Head Start providers and programs across the United States as the National Head Start Association gathers in Phoenix, AZ, for its 50th annual conference.

Since 1965, more than 37 million Americans have relied on Head Start to provide high-quality early childhood education programming to families in need. Head Start programs operate in all 50 States through a variety of models, serving families from before birth to age 5 in Early Head Start and Head Start. But it is not just children who reap the benefits of a Head Start program. Parents and families are an integral part of Head Start, whether by

volunteering in a classroom, participating in educational programming, or even embarking on a career in early childhood education through Head Start, which is happening in Arizona.

Earlier this year, I was lucky enough to meet with an Arizona Head Start parent in my office, along with staff and administrators from our State. Being a new grandfather made it even more meaningful to me to hear the appreciation in the voice of the parent as she described the economic and educational opportunities Head Start was creating for her family. It also made it harder to hear that challenges in finding and retaining teachers and staff mean that classrooms are closing and hundreds of thousands of children are stuck on waiting lists.

That is why I am committed to growing Senate support for Head Start. I am proud that the most recent appropriations bill included nearly $12 billion for Head Start, representing a $960 million increase from the prior year. With this funding, Head Start staff can get paid closer to what they deserve, and more families can gain access to the early childhood education that we know makes a long-term difference. But there is certainly more to do, and I look forward to working with my colleagues to help more children and families succeed.

To the Head Start providers, staff, and families throughout this country: We are with you. Thank you for the work you do every day.

Mr. President, today I wish to honor Captain Gwen Niemi for her service in the Women's Army Auxiliary Corp--WAC--during World War II, from 1942 to 1946. Ms. Niemi was among the first 200 women to become officers in the WAC.

Captain Niemi was born on February 2, 1920, in Lancaster, PA. Ms. Niemi obtained her degree in physical education from West Chester State College. Following the attack on Pearl Harbor, Gwen attended the first WAC training course in Des Moines, IA, graduating from WAC training as a second lieutenant in 1942.

Her first assignment was training recruits at the WAC Training School in Daytona Beach, FL, and was responsible for instructing almost 500 trainees. Gwen next commanded a WAC Company of 180 personnel at Tyndall Field located outside of Panama City, FL. While on assignment at Tyndall Field, Ms. Niemi was temporarily assigned to duty at the San Antonio Aviation Cadet Center. She was promoted to the rank of captain and transferred to Eastern Flying Training Command at Maxwell Field, AL, where she served as a career field manager and evaluator for the WAC Program.

Upon her discharge from the WAC with the rank of captain, Ms. Niemi moved to Tucson, AZ, where she became a teacher in the physical education department at the University of Arizona. Ms. Niemi took 5 years off from teaching, having two children, and then returned to teaching physical education and English and reading at Tucson School District No. 1, now known as TUSD.

Please join me in celebrating Captain Gwen Niemi for being a patriot and a true trailblazer, for her brave service during World War II, and for going on to be an educator at the University of Arizona and at Tucson School District No. 1.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate proceed to the immediate consideration of S. 1311, a bill to reauthorize the Morris K. Udall and Stewart L. Udall Trust Fund, which was introduced earlier today.

I further ask that the bill be considered read three times and passed and that the motion to reconsider be considered made and laid upon the table with no intervening action or debate.

Mr. President, this legislation would reauthorize a Federal foundation, the Morris K. Udall and Stewart L. Udall Foundation Act, which was established to honor the legacy of two great Arizonans: Morris and Stewart Udall.

The Udall Foundation honors the legacy of the Udalls by awarding scholarships, fellowships, and internships for study related to the environment and for American Indians and Alaska Natives to study healthcare and Tribal public policy. The foundation also supports the Udall Center for Studies in Public Policy and the Native Nations Institute to conduct research on environmental policy, American Indian and Alaska Native healthcare issues, Tribal policy, and training.

My predecessor, Senator John McCain, was a longtime supporter of

the foundation and its work, and the foundation has honored Senate McCain's legacy through the John S. McCain III National Center for Environmental Conflict Resolution.

This legislation does not increase authorization levels for the foundation. It simply extends current levels through the end of fiscal year 2028 to allow the foundation to continue its important work.

I yield the floor.

Mr. President, I ask that the scheduled vote occur immediately.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that tomorrow, Wednesday, March 1, at 11:30 a.m., the Senate vote on confirmation of the Guzman nomination followed by the motion to invoke cloture on the Lawless nomination; further, that notwithstanding rule XXII, at 2:15 p.m., the Senate vote on the motion to invoke cloture on the Grey nomination; further, that following the cloture vote on the Grey nomination, the Senate proceed to legislative session and proceed to the immediate consideration of H.J. Res. 30; that at 4 p.m., the Senate vote on passage of the joint resolution and upon disposition of the joint resolution, the Senate resume executive session and, notwithstanding rule XXII, vote on the motion to invoke cloture on the Simmons nomination.

For the information of the Senate, there will be two rollcall votes at 11:30 a.m., one rollcall vote at 2:15 p.m., and two rollcall votes at 4 p.m.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate proceed to legislative session for a period of morning business, with Senators permitted to speak therein for up to 10 minutes each.

Madam President, I have seven requests for committees to meet during today's session of the Senate. They have the approval of the Majority and Minority Leaders.

Pursuant to rule XXVI, paragraph 5(a), of the Standing Rules of the Senate, the following committees are authorized to meet during today's session of the Senate:

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on the Judiciary be discharged from further consideration of S. 227 and the Senate proceed to its immediate consideration.

I ask unanimous consent that the bill be considered read a third time and passed and the motion to reconsider be considered made and laid upon the table.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate proceed to the en bloc consideration of the following Senate resolutions introduced earlier today: S. Res. 83, S. Res. 84, and S. Res. 85.

I ask unanimous consent that the resolutions be agreed to; that the preambles be agreed to; and that the motions to reconsider be considered made and laid upon the table en bloc.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that when the Senate completes its business today, it stand adjourned until 10 a.m. on Wednesday, March 1; that following the prayer and the pledge, the morning hour be deemed expired, the Journal of proceedings be approved to date, and the time for the two leaders be reserved for their use later in the day, and morning business be closed; further, that following the conclusion of morning business, the Senate proceed to executive session and resume consideration of the Guzman nomination postcloture as provided under the previous order; further, that if any nominations are considered during Wednesday's session, the motions to reconsider be considered made and laid upon the table and the President be immediately notified of the Senate's actions.

Mr. President, if there is no further business to come before the Senate, I ask that it stand adjourned under the previous order.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate be in a period of morning business, with Senators permitted to speak therein for up to 10 minutes each.