Illustration: Aïda Amer/Axios
The bipartisan bill that would exempt certain CHIPS Act projects from some environmental permitting requirements is headed to President Biden's desk.
Why it matters: The bipartisan House vote last night caps off more than a year of grappling to get the Building Chips in America Act across the finish line.
- The bill would let projects bypass the intensive NEPA processes that some lawmakers argue has stymied the government's massive investments in semiconductor manufacturing.
Driving the news: The bill passed 257-125, with 49 absences after Sens. Mark Kelly and Ted Cruz were able to get it through the Senate unanimously last year.
- Most "no" votes were Democrats, with 13 Republicans also joining in opposition.
- Natural Resources Chair Bruce Westerman, who didn't vote last night, helped get it stripped from last year's NDAA because he doesn't like "picking winners and losers."
