Mike Johnson backtracks on talk of CHIPS Act repeal

A prominent Republican has been busy walking back a statement that prompted swift backlash and concerns that a popular piece of legislation might be the target of a repeal push.

As the Associated Press explains, House Speaker Mike Johnson is working to quell the firestorm that erupted when he suggested that his party “probably will” attempt to undo the CHIPs and Science Act passed under the auspices of the Biden administration, stepping down from an earlier statement on the issue.

Controversy erupts

The statement that put Johnson in hot water was made during a campaign visit he made on behalf of Republican Congressman Brandon Williams in New York, seeking re-election in a district where a new semiconductor plan is anticipated.

During the visit, a reporter asked Johnson if he intended to seek repeal of the CHIPS and Science Act, a bipartisan bill aimed at spurring domestic production of semiconductor chips.

The question arose in the wake of recent comments from Republican presidential hopeful Donald Trump that were viewed as critical of aspects of that legislation.

Johnson responded to the reporter by saying, “I expect that we probably will, but we haven't developed that part of the agenda yet.”

It was not long before colleagues on the other side of the aisle began expressing their outrage at the prospect of the Act's repeal.

Walking it back

Johnson soon faced a host of criticism from Democrats, many of whom suggested that the speaker's comment indicated an alarming coordination between congressional Republicans and Trump which would, in the event of a new administration, threaten governmental initiatives that already gained bipartisan support.

As such, he wasted little time in tempering his earlier statement, with clarification also coming from Williams, whose district is counting on the aforementioned semiconductor facility to boost the local economy.

Williams said, “I spoke privately with the speaker immediately after the event. He apologized profusely, saying he misheard the question. He clarified his comments on the spot and I trust local media to play his full comments on supporting repatriation of chips manufacturing to America.”

Johnson issued a statement as well, noting, “As I have further explained and clarified, I fully support Micron coming to Central NY, and the CHIPS Act is not on the agenda for repeal. To the contrary, there could be legislation to further streamline and improve the primary purpose of the bill -- to eliminate its costly regulations and Green New Deal requirements.”

While the entire scenario was an unfortunate bundle of mixed messaging for Republicans, it remains to be seen what alterations to the CHIPS Act, if any, will be pursued after the post-election dust settles.