Chipmakers turn ruthless in fight for share of federal money
Semiconductor companies, which united to push through the CHIPS Act, have gone on a lobbying frenzy as they demand more money than their competitors.
WASHINGTON — In early January, a New York public relations firm sent out an email warning about what it called a threat for the federal government's program to revitalize the US semiconductor industry.
The message, received by The New York Times, accused Intel, the chip titan of Silicon Valley, to seek grants under the CHIPS and Science Act for new factories in Ohio and Arizona that sit empty. Intel said on a recent earnings call that it would build its facilities with the expensive machines needed to manufacture semiconductors when demand for its chips increases.
The firm declined to name its client. But he has done work in the past for Advanced Micro Devices, Intel's longtime rival, which has raised similar concerns about whether federal funding should go to companies planning to build shells. An AMD spokesperson said it did not review the email or endorse the PR firm's efforts to lobby for or against any specific company receiving funding. and Science Act and the Biden administration's efforts to boost domestic semiconductor research and manufacturing,” the spokesperson said. lobbied Congress to help shore up U.S. chip manufacturing and reduce crucial supply chain vulnerabilities. This push led lawmakers to approve the CHIPS Act, which includes $52 billion in grants to companies and research institutes, as well as $24 billion or more in tax credits - one of the largest infusions in single industry for decades.
But this unit begins to crack. As the Biden administration prepares to start doling out the money, CEOs, lobbyists and lawmakers have begun scrambling to make the case for funding, in public and behind closed doors.
In meetings with government officials and in a public filing, Intel has questioned the amount of taxpayers' money that should go to competitors that are headquartered in abroad, arguing that American innovations and other intellectual property could be funneled out of the country.
"Our IP address. is there, and it's not significant," said Allen Thompson, Intel vice president of US government relations. "We are the champion of the United States."
The States, cities and universities have also gotten in on the act, hoping to attract grants and le s jobs that are expected to be generated by manufacturing sites and new research and development.
Chip vendors, their suppliers, and the trade associations that represent them together have spent $59 million in lobbying last year, according to OpenSecrets tracking, up from $46 million in 2021 and $36 million in 2020 as they tried to secure...
Semiconductor companies, which united to push through the CHIPS Act, have gone on a lobbying frenzy as they demand more money than their competitors.
WASHINGTON — In early January, a New York public relations firm sent out an email warning about what it called a threat for the federal government's program to revitalize the US semiconductor industry.
The message, received by The New York Times, accused Intel, the chip titan of Silicon Valley, to seek grants under the CHIPS and Science Act for new factories in Ohio and Arizona that sit empty. Intel said on a recent earnings call that it would build its facilities with the expensive machines needed to manufacture semiconductors when demand for its chips increases.
The firm declined to name its client. But he has done work in the past for Advanced Micro Devices, Intel's longtime rival, which has raised similar concerns about whether federal funding should go to companies planning to build shells. An AMD spokesperson said it did not review the email or endorse the PR firm's efforts to lobby for or against any specific company receiving funding. and Science Act and the Biden administration's efforts to boost domestic semiconductor research and manufacturing,” the spokesperson said. lobbied Congress to help shore up U.S. chip manufacturing and reduce crucial supply chain vulnerabilities. This push led lawmakers to approve the CHIPS Act, which includes $52 billion in grants to companies and research institutes, as well as $24 billion or more in tax credits - one of the largest infusions in single industry for decades.
But this unit begins to crack. As the Biden administration prepares to start doling out the money, CEOs, lobbyists and lawmakers have begun scrambling to make the case for funding, in public and behind closed doors.
In meetings with government officials and in a public filing, Intel has questioned the amount of taxpayers' money that should go to competitors that are headquartered in abroad, arguing that American innovations and other intellectual property could be funneled out of the country.
"Our IP address. is there, and it's not significant," said Allen Thompson, Intel vice president of US government relations. "We are the champion of the United States."
The States, cities and universities have also gotten in on the act, hoping to attract grants and le s jobs that are expected to be generated by manufacturing sites and new research and development.
Chip vendors, their suppliers, and the trade associations that represent them together have spent $59 million in lobbying last year, according to OpenSecrets tracking, up from $46 million in 2021 and $36 million in 2020 as they tried to secure...
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