Dear Colleague on Passing the CHIPS and Science Act and the Assault Weapons Ban

July 29, 2022
Press Release

Dear Democratic Colleague,

This week has been one of remarkable success for America's working families. And I am writing to thank you for making it so.

Yesterday, we proudly passed the CHIPS and Science Act, which:

  • Lowers costs for consumers, helping fight inflation
  • Creates 100,000 good-paying union jobs
  • Reduces our dependence on foreign manufacturers as it brings chips production back to America, instead of overseas where it can be weaponized
  • Turbocharges American innovation: powering our preeminence in both basic research and next-generation technologies

Today, we passed monumental legislation to reinstate the Assault Weapons Ban, which:

  • Prohibits the sale, manufacture, transfer or possession of semiautomatic assault weapons as well as high-capacity magazines
  • Requires safe storage for lawfully owned assault weapons already in our communities
  • Strongly supports our law enforcement heroes, who should not have to confront weapons designed for the battlefield in our communities

These initiatives are in keeping with our People Over Politics agenda: lowering costs, producing better-paying jobs and building safer communities. I congratulate the DPCC Chairs Matt Cartwright, Debbie Dingell, Ted Lieu and Joe Neguse for their excellent leadership enabling us to "Own August."

Our People Over Politics agenda is in stark contrast to the extreme MAGA Republican agenda, which criminalizes women's health care, plans to end Social Security and Medicare in five years and undermines our elections.

In the days ahead, we must review the public safety package so that we are prepared to vote upon our return shortly. We are so proud of the work done by CBC Chairwoman Joyce Beatty, working with Representatives Josh Gottheimer and Abigail Spanberger. I am more confident than ever that we will pass a package rooted in two of Democrats' most cherished values: safety and justice.

Happily, we also have the opportunity to pass the Inflation Reduction Act to lower the cost of health care and to protect our planet. As we receive updates on the public safety package and the Reconciliation bill, I will keep you updated.

Thank you for your leadership to put People Over Politics.

NANCY