SIA Applauds Introduction of DIGIT Act

WASHINGTON—Jan. 11, 2017—The Semiconductor Industry Association (SIA), representing U.S. leadership in semiconductor manufacturing, design, and research, today released the following statement from SIA president & CEO John Neuffer commending the introduction in Congress of the Developing and Growing the Internet of Things (DIGIT) Act. The DIGIT Act requires the Department of Commerce to convene a working group of federal stakeholders – with input from industry experts, technology manufacturers and businesses – to provide recommendations to Congress on how to plan for and encourage the Internet of Things (IOT).

“The DIGIT Act is an important step forward to help the federal government develop a national strategy that will encourage the Internet of Things. Semiconductors are the foundation of the IOT, enabling ‘smart’ devices that are connected to networks. The right federal policy in this area – developed with input from industry – is critical to ensure IOT is enabled by federal policy, not inhibited by it. We commend Sen. Fischer (R-Neb.) and her co-sponsors Sens. Gardner (R-Colo.), Booker (D-N.J.) and Schatz (D-Hawaii) for their leadership introducing this bipartisan legislation and urge Congress to approve it.”

About SIA

The Semiconductor Industry Association (SIA) is the voice of the U.S. semiconductor industry, one of America’s top export industries and a key driver of America’s economic strength, national security, and global competitiveness. Semiconductors – microchips that control all modern electronics – enable the systems and products we use to work, communicate, travel, entertain, harness energy, treat illness, and make new scientific discoveries. The semiconductor industry directly employs nearly a quarter of a million people in the U.S. In 2015, U.S. semiconductor company sales totaled $166 billion, and semiconductors make the global trillion dollar electronics industry possible. SIA seeks to strengthen U.S. leadership of semiconductor manufacturing, design, and research by working with Congress, the Administration and other key industry stakeholders to encourage policies and regulations that fuel innovation, propel business and drive international competition. Learn more at www.semiconductors.org.