Chairwoman Speier, Ranking Member Stewart, members of the subcommittee: Good morning, and thank you for the opportunity to speak today. I am a research analyst specializing in semiconductor policy at the Center for Security and Emerging Technology (CSET), a nonpartisan think tank at Georgetown University that studies the security implications of new technologies.
I will address three topics. First, I will offer an abbreviated history of the semiconductor industry in the United States, and the incumbency advantages that we still have today as a result. Second, I will discuss policy levers that can help to promote U.S. advantages throughout the semiconductor supply chain. I will argue that while funding the CHIPS for America Act is an important step, long-term success in microelectronics depends equally on leveraging our strengths through investments in emerging microelectronics research, workforce development, and high-skilled immigration. Third, I’ll identify ways Congress can protect the fruits of these efforts through export controls and research security, supported by robust open-source intelligence.