Speaker of the House ‘apologized profusely’ for saying he’d ‘probably will’ try to repeal CHIPS Act

Andrew Donovan
·2 min read
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SYRACUSE, N.Y. (WSYR-TV) — Congressman Brandon Williams says Speaker of the House Mike Johnson “apologized profusely” for comments threatening the landmark legislation credited with attracting Micron to Central New York.

When asked if he, President Donald Trump and a Republican majority in Congress would repeal the CHIPS and Science Act, Johnson said: “I expect that we probably will.”

Standing next to the speaker, Congressman Brandon Williams shared a different position, saying he would not vote in favor of repealing the law.

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Williams said: “Obviously, the CHIPS Act is hugely impactful here and my job is to keep lobbying on my side.”

Putting his hand on Johnson’s back, Williams said, “I will remind him night and day how important the CHIPS Act is and that we break ground on Micron.”

“People listen to Brandon Williams,” said Speaker Johnson. “If that’s an important thing for your district, you need this guy there to make that case.”

Johnson’s comments were made when he took questions from reporters after speaking alongside Congressman Williams at a rally of about 200 supporters at the CNY Regional Market.

Within an hour, the Williams campaign was working to clarify the Speaker’s comments.

Congressman Brandon Williams said, “I spoke privately with the Speaker immediately after the event. He apologized profusely, saying he misheard the question. He clarified his comments on the spot and I trust local media to play his full comments on supporting repatriation of chips manufacturing to America.”

At the event, Johnson said, “It is so important for national security, and onshoring chips manufacturing here, this district being central to that — we want to do that. You’ll have 100% agreement by President Trump and all the Republicans in Congress. What we were opposed to in that bill was that it had too much crammed into it.”

In a written statement after, forwarded by the Williams Campaign, Speaker Mike Johnson said, “As I have further explained and clarified, I fully support Micron coming to Central NY, and the CHIPS Act is not on the agenda for repeal. To the contrary, there could be legislation to further streamline and improve the primary purpose of the bill-to eliminate its costly regulations and Green New Deal requirements.”

Knowing former President Donald Trump also trashed the CHIPS legislation on a podcast last week, Governor Kathy Hochul said she’d defend the project regardless of what happens on Election Day.

“Every other state wanted Micron,” said the governor, “we secured what is now the largest private sector investment in American history, going on right now and he dare say that it’s a bad program. So is he basically saying he’d rather semiconductor chips be manufactured in China?”

Hochul said: “If he becomes the president, which I do not foresee at all, that’s my prediction, do not foresee that, I will work with anyone to make sure he does not stop this critical project.”

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