New York Democratic Gov. Kathy Hochul called President-elect Donald Trump to both congratulate him on his victory and to express how important the CHIPS Act is for New Yorkers.
“I basically just reaffirmed there are areas we can work together, like infrastructure, where we rely on federal money, and he seems to share my priorities,” Hochul told reporters after a press conference at a political event in Puerto Rico.
The CHIPS Act and Science Act is funding the Micron semiconductor plant, which is being built in Central New York. The plant is predicted to bring 50,000 jobs. All told, the act has poured over $50 million in the semiconductor manufacturing industry.
On the campaign trail, Trump was critical of the bill signed by President Joe Biden in 2022. During his appearance on the Joe Rogan Experience podcast, Trump complained about the price tag of the bill, claiming increasing tariffs would attract chip companies for free.
“We put up billions of dollars for rich companies to come in and borrow the money and build chip companies here, and they’re not going to give us the good companies anyway,” Trump said.
House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) caused some panic before the election, when he suggested that House Republicans would repeal the bill if they regained their majority. He was campaigning for Rep. Brandon Williams, a vulnerable New York Republican who ended up losing his seat.
When asked if he’d repeal the act, Johnson replied, “I expect that we probably will, but we haven’t developed that part of the agenda yet.”
After blowback from the comment, Johnson walked it back, later saying the CHIPS Act “is not on the agenda for repeal.”
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Hochul also expressed to Trump her goal of utilizing federal funds to improve infrastructure such as upgrading Penn Station and extending the Second Avenue Subway.
“It was a very cordial call, and listen, I said I’ll work with anybody,” she said. “But I’m also going to be unrelenting in protecting the rights of New Yorkers.”
