When the CHIPS and Science Act was passed in 2022 and signed into law by President Joe Biden, it was hailed as a major win for Ohio, authorizing about $280 billion in federal funds to boost research and development of semiconductors in the United States.

Although it was passed primarily through Democratic support, with the party controlling both houses of Congress at the time, and every Senate Democrat voted for it, it was also a bipartisan bill, co-sponsored with Republicans and earning the support of 17 members of that party in the chamber.

A bipartisan group of  governors also announced their support of the legislation, including, notably Ohio’s Republican chief executive, Mike DeWine, who touted the benefits of the package for plans by Intel to build a major manufacturing plant in the Buckeye State. 

In the House, the vote was more polarized, with the Republicans’ minority leader at the time, Kevin McCarthy, being one of its harshest critics. Still, the bill received considerable Republican support, particularly from those who hailed from states that would see its benefits, such as Ohio’s Rep. Bill Johnson, whose district included Lawrence County at the time.

However, with the Republican takeover of Congress in following years and the return of Donald Trump to the White House, the package could be in danger.

Trump has been a critic of the legislation, though offering few specifics and simply calling it “a bad deal.” (The fact that it was championed by his Democratic predecessor seems to be a major factor his animus toward it). While Speaker of the House Mike Johnson has gone as far as to say the House may repeal it. Johnson quickly walked back those comments after hearing from a number of Republicans from states impacted CHIPS.

Ohio stands to gain much from leaving the legislation in place and we hoped that DeWine and congressional Republicans from the state remain outspoken on the matter, as their party will be far more likely to have the ear of Trump and Johnson in coming years.

While things can always be improved on and revisiting and evaluating progress is always welcome, to simply repeal a law and have no alternative plan in place (as was the case with many of the Republican attempts to undo the Affordable Care Act) would be ill advised.

Ohio’s leaders need to stay vigilant on any attempts to repeal CHIPS and quickly and loudly speak up for the interests of their constituents in the state.