Below is a statement from Motor & Equipment Manufacturers Association (MEMA) President & CEO Bill Long on the U.S. Senate passing S. 1260, the Endless Frontier Act:

“MEMA members are very pleased that S.1260, the Endless Frontier Act, passed overwhelmingly with bipartisan support in the U.S. Senate. Thank you, Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) and Senator Todd Young (R-IN), for drafting and passing a bill that started with enhancing the National Science Foundation and added important provisions that will help U.S. manufacturer innovation and competitiveness and secure U.S. global economic leadership.

“We especially appreciate the leadership of Senators Gary Peters (D-MI) and Debbie Stabenow (D-MI) to include $2 billion for motor vehicle legacy chip production. This measure will help prevent future semiconductor chip crises in the automotive and commercial vehicle sector. The trade language that was championed by Senators Ron Wyden (D-OR) and Mike Crapo (R-ID), requiring the reinstatement of China 301 tariff exclusions, will also be helpful to MEMA members.

“We at MEMA appreciate our close working relationships with the American Automotive Policy Council (AAPC) and the UAW that allowed us to address issues of common concern and bring this important measure over the finish line.

“On behalf of 1,000 MEMA member companies, I applaud the Senate for doing the right thing for the 900,000 U.S. employees in the vehicle supplier sector and for protecting the long-term competitiveness of our country. Now, MEMA will work to get this bill passed by the House and signed by the President.”