Schumer bill would increase spending on advanced technology, R&D, regional tech hubs

SYRACUSE, N.Y. — U.S. Senate Majority Leader Charles Schumer (D–N.Y.) is pushing a $160 billion proposal that he says would dramatically increase U.S. investment in advanced manufacturing of semiconductors and other key technologies.

It would also increase research & development (R&D) of “strategically important” technologies and the support of regional tech hubs across the country.

The funding “could help lead to the creation of new jobs and jumpstart innovation” in Central New York, according to Schumer.

Specifically, the senator says that the legislation could help Onondaga County recruit a tenant to the White Pine Commerce Park in Clay, “one of the premier sites in the country to host a semiconductor manufacturer,” per a news release about Schumer’s bill.

The $160 billion plan would include passage of the Endless Frontier Act, the Democrat added.

Schumer discussed the plan during a Monday appearance at Syracuse University’s (SU) National Veterans Resource Center (NVRC). The NVRC is located at the intersection of Waverly Avenue and South Crouse Avenue.

Syracuse University Chancellor Kent Syverud; Onondaga County Executive Ryan McMahon; Syracuse Mayor Ben Walsh; Robert Simpson, president and CEO of CenterState CEO; Randy Wolken, president of the Manufacturers Association and Manufacturers Alliance of New York; and El-Java Abdul-Qadir, executive director of SU’s South Side Innovation Center, joined Schumer as he announced the proposed legislation.

“I would hope to get this on the floor and passed in May,” Schumer said in response to a reporter’s question.

Proposal’s purpose

For a century, so much of America’s economic and national security have been grounded in our scientific and technological superiority, often supported by smart investments with the federal government, Schumer said to begin his remarks at the NVRC.

For example, the investment in DARPA (Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency) and NSF (National Science Foundation) “created the best tech industry in the world,” he contended.

“Unfortunately in recent years, countries like China have closed the gap with the United States. If we fail to respond, they’re going to soon overtake us with dramatic consequences for businesses, for workers and good-paying jobs, and for the national security and economic security of this country. We will no longer be number one. So, it’s a very serious problem,” Schumer said. “But I’m here at SU to announce some really good news. I’m unveiling our big, bold, bipartisan initiative to propel American science and technology by building up the tech economy in places like Central New York.”

The $160 billion plan would invest in three main areas. They include advanced manufacturing and R&D in the semiconductor industry; research, development, entrepreneurship, and workforce training in strategically important technologies; and establishing regional technology hubs across the country to be global tech centers.

In this proposal, Schumer says he’ll push for $50 billion in emergency funding to implement the federal semiconductor programs created in last year’s defense bill. The investment will help Onondaga County recruit a semiconductor manufacturer to the White Pine Commerce Park in Clay.

In addition, the $112 billion Endless Frontier Act proposes an expansion of the National Science Foundation (NSF) with the establishment of a new technology and innovation directorate within NSF to advance research and development in 10 key technology focus areas, including artificial intelligence, semiconductors, quantum computing, advanced communications, data analytics, biotechnology, and advanced energy, per Schumer’s office.