Senate Passes Senator Hassan & Colleagues’ Bipartisan Bill to Outcompete China & Strengthen National Security

WASHINGTON – The Senate passed historic, bipartisan legislation today introduced by U.S. Senator Maggie Hassan to help the U.S. outcompete China and strengthen national security. The bipartisan United States Innovation and Competition Act also includes important priorities secured by Senator Hassan to help boost the economy and harden critical infrastructure.

“America has always been at the forefront of innovation, and this bipartisan legislation delivers on our country’s proud military legacy and global technological leadership,” Senator Hassan said. “The United States Innovation and Competition Act will help us safeguard our national security, outcompete China and other foreign adversaries, and strengthen manufacturing right here at home, helping create more jobs for Granite Staters. I am glad that the Senate came together on a bipartisan basis to pass this major legislation, and I urge my colleagues in the House to quickly pass this bill.”

The bipartisan United States Innovation and Competition Act includes critical bipartisan priorities secured by Senator Hassan, including: 

• Bipartisan legislation with Senator John Thune (R-SD) to strengthen national security by advancing U.S. capabilities in quantum networking and establishing a more comprehensive approach to workforce development. 
• Bipartisan legislation with Senator Ben Sasse (R-NE) to help ensure that the Department of Homeland Security is identifying and addressing risks to critical infrastructure. Critical infrastructure includes systems that support the economy, public health, and national security -- for instance nuclear reactors, electrical grids, banks, and hospitals.
• A version of Senator Hassan’s bipartisan Fast Track To and Through College Act with Senator Todd Young (R-IN) to expand access to college-level classes for high school students. 
• Senator Hassan’s amendment to strengthen efforts to investigate unfair trade practices that systemically impact critical domestic supply chains and U.S. workers.
• $50 billion to support legislation that Senator Hassan and colleagues previously passed into law to stimulate advanced semiconductor manufacturing in the U.S.
• $1.5 billion for the USA Telecommunications Act that Senator Hassan and colleagues previously passed into law to provide funds to support research and development in Western-based alternatives to Chinese equipment providers Huawei and ZTE.

The passage of the United States Innovation and Competition Act builds on Senator Hassan’s ongoing efforts to ensure that America outcompetes China and invests in U.S. research and manufacturing. In February, Senator Hassan and a bipartisan group of her colleagues discussed strengthening the U.S. supply chain with President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris. In addition, Senator Hassan has worked to strengthen research and development in the U.S. by introducing the bipartisan American Innovation and Jobs Act to support research and development (R&D) investments by innovative startups and by established companies making major R&D investments, which could help the U.S. ramp up its production of semiconductors.

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