Former U.S. security officials urge Congress to act on China legislation
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - More than a dozen former senior U.S. national security officials have pressed congressional leaders to quickly pass legislation to boost technology funding, calling it "critical" to compete against China.
A letter signed by 16 officials from past Democratic and Republican administrations - including Leon Panetta, who served as defense secretary under President Barack Obama, and President George W. Bush's national security advisor Stephen Hadley - said the legislation would "ensure the U.S. stays on the cutting-edge of microelectronics."
The Senate passed the U.S. Innovation and Competition Act last year, including $52 billion for the semiconductor industry and authorizing $190 billion to strengthen U.S. technology and research to compete with China.
The House of Representatives began considering its "America Competes" act this week. If it passes, the two chambers will have to resolve differences with the Senate bill.
https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/politics/former-us-security-officials-urge-congress-to-act-on-china-legislation/ar-AATn7v1
