Implementation of the CHIPS Act of 2022
Executive Order 14080, issued August 25, 2022, implements the CHIPS Act of 2022 by directing federal agencies to coordinate and accelerate a national effort to boost semiconductor research, development, and manufacturing in the United States. Its goal is to strengthen the nation’s manufacturing base, create skilled jobs, foster regional economic development, maintain United States technology leadership, and reduce dependence on vulnerable foreign supply chains for microelectronics. The order emphasizes collaboration with state and local governments, Tribes, industry, universities, labor, and allied partners, while ensuring responsible stewardship of taxpayer funds. To achieve this, the order creates a centralized governance framework—the CHIPS Implementation Steering Council—based in the White House to coordinate policy and oversee implementation. It appoints co-chairs from top economic policy, national security, and science leadership offices and lists a broad roster of senior federal officials as members. The order also authorizes subgroups, consultations with industry and labor, and requires appropriate oversight by the Office of Management and Budget. It clarifies that the measure does not create new legal rights and relies on existing laws and appropriations.
Key Points
- 1Establishment of the CHIPS Implementation Steering Council within the Executive Office of the President to coordinate policy and oversee the Act’s implementation.
- 2Co-Chairs and broad membership: the Assistant to the President for Economic Policy, the Assistant to the President for National Security Affairs, and the Director of the Office of Science and Technology Policy serve as co-chairs; member agencies include State, Treasury, Defense, Commerce, Labor, Energy, OMB, SBA, DNI, Domestic Policy, the Chair of the CEA, the National Cyber Director, the NSF Director, plus heads of other invited departments/agencies.
- 3Implementation Priorities: agencies should prioritize protecting taxpayer resources, building domestic manufacturing capacity, sustaining U.S. leadership in microelectronics, catalyzing private investment, and delivering broad benefits (jobs, startups, minority/veteran/women-owned firms, disadvantaged communities), including regional clustering and supply-chain strengthening.
- 4Oversight and stewardship: the Director of the Office of Management and Budget will promote effective stewardship and oversight of taxpayer resources in collaboration with the Steering Council and implementing agencies.
- 5General provisions: the order does not alter existing legal authority, is to be implemented consistent with law and appropriations, and does not create enforceable rights; it reflects the policy direction of the President and relies on appropriations to fund activities.