WASHINGTON, D.C.—Today, U.S. Congresswoman Debbie Lesko (AZ-08) offered an amendment to H.R. 813, the Global Investment in American Jobs Act, in the House Energy and Commerce Committee markup. The amendment amends the definition of “trusted country” in H.R. 813 to ensure that trusted economies, like Taiwan, are included in H.R. 813’s review and report on how to increase global competitiveness and attractiveness of global direct investment.

“Taiwan is an important ally and economic partner of the United States,” said Congresswoman Lesko. “The Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company has made significant and historic investment in my district in Arizona. This amendment ensures that we take into consideration allies like Taiwan as we work to improve our nation’s global competitiveness, and I am grateful for my colleagues on the Energy and Commerce Committee for their support on this important measure.”

“TSMC is proud to be investing $40 billion in Phoenix, Arizona to build two state of the art, leading edge semiconductor manufacturing facilities,” said Rick Cassidy, CEO of TSMC Arizona. “This investment represents the largest foreign direct investment in the history of Arizona and one of the largest in U.S. history. TSMC Arizona will create 4,500 direct high-tech, high-wage jobs, and indirectly create more than 21,000 construction jobs and 13,000 jobs at supplier companies. TSMC appreciates the amendment from Rep. Lesko which recognizes that investment from Taiwan should be included along with those from other economic partners across the world.”

H.R. 813 requires the U.S. Department of Commerce and the Government Accountability Office to conduct an interagency review of the global competitiveness of the U.S. in attracting foreign direct investment from responsible private-sector entities based in trusted countries and addressing foreign trade barriers in the global digital economy.

Lesko’s amendment passed by a voice vote, and H.R. 813, as amended, passed in a 50-0 vote.

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