Washington, D.C. — TechNet, the national, bipartisan network of innovation economy CEOs and senior executives, today sent a letter to the White House urging the administration to ensure its efforts to strengthen semiconductor chip production benefits all industries. The following statement is from TechNet President and CEO Linda Moore:

“We are grateful the administration recognizes the urgent need to address the semiconductor chip shortage impacting the U.S. and global economies.

The coronavirus pandemic has highlighted the essential role technology plays in the economy and our lives. Technology has powered America during the pandemic by producing personal protective equipment and ventilators, helping scientists to discover new drug treatments and research vaccines, reducing barriers to telework options, connecting students and teachers, empowering small businesses with ecommerce solutions, delivering food, providing emergency transportation, and facilitating contact tracing, all while upholding IT infrastructures. None of this work would have been possible without the power of semiconductors. Nor can any of this essential work continue without semiconductors.

We urge the President to include full funding of the Creating Helpful Incentives to Produce Semiconductors for America Act or the CHIPS Act (H.R. 7178, 116th) in his FY22 budget request to accelerate domestic chip production.

In addressing the global shortage of semiconductors in the short term, we must ensure that healthcare professionals, workers, and educators do not face device constraints as they work tirelessly to address the public health crisis, uphold our economy, and keep students learning.

We appreciate the administration’s attention to this important issue and look forward to working with the President on solutions that will drive our economy forward.”