President Joe Biden plans to sign legislation to ease environmental review for federally funded semiconductor plants, a White House official said Tuesday night.
S. 2228, “Building Chips in America Act,” would exempt certain chips factories from environmental reviews. It passed both chambers with bipartisan support, but more than 100 House Democrats opposed it during a vote Monday.
“President Biden plans to sign this bipartisan legislation which will allow us to continue our efforts to ensure Americans across the country can benefit from the promise of the Investing in America agenda while protecting communities and the environment,” the White House official said.
House critics said the bill, from Sens. Mark Kelly (D-Ariz.) and Ted Cruz (R-Texas), could create new toxic sites. They included House Energy and Commerce ranking member Frank Pallone (D-N.J.) and Science, Space and Technology ranking member Zoe Lofgren (D-Calif.), who called on Biden to use his veto pen.
