Auburn Citizen: Hakeem Jeffries, John Mannion: CHIPS Act comments show GOP ‘doesn’t understand’ CNY

Auburn Citizen : "Mannion played a key role at the state level in attracting Micron to central New York. He was a co-prime sponsor of the Green CHIPS legislation, which provides state incentives to chip manufacturers."

House Democratic Leader Rep. Hakeem Jeffries and John Mannion campaigned together in New York's 22nd Congressional District this past weekend, where Jeffries and Mannion underscored how the GOP 'doesn't understand' Central New York and the Mohawk Valley.

Just days before Election Day, MAGA extremist Brandon Williams and Speaker Mike Johnson revealed House Republicans' plan to repeal the CHIPS and Science Act.

Williams and Johnson shared their plans mere miles away from the future site of Micron's investment in Clay, NY, one of the largest projects in the country started as a result of CHIPS Act investments - the project is slated to create nearly 50,000 local New York jobs. Just days before, Donald Trump also bashed the CHIPS Act as "so bad."

This isn't the first time Williams has derided the CHIPS and Science Act - on the campaign trail in 2022, the now vulnerable New York Republican called the historic legislation "corporate welfare."

In contrast, NY-22 Democratic nominee John Mannion was the co-prime sponsor of and passed the Green Chips Act, a state law that laid the groundwork for Micron's decision to invest in Central New York, the Mohawk Valley, and New York State. Mannion was also instrumental in working with various stakeholders to bring Micron to Central New York and the Mohawk Valley.

DCCC Spokesperson Ellie Dougherty:
"While John Mannion was instrumental to the passage of New York's Green Chips Act, Brandon Williams and Mike Johnson are working to reverse those investments - ripping away good paying New York jobs. MAGA extremists like Williams and Johnson clearly don't understand the priorities of Central New York and the Mohawk Valley."

Auburn Citizen: Hakeem Jeffries, John Mannion: CHIPS Act comments show GOP 'doesn't understand' CNY
Robert Harding | November 3, 2024

KEY POINTS:

• House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries and state Sen. John Mannion criticized Republicans one day after House Speaker Mike Johnson had to clarify comments about repealing the CHIPS and Science Act - legislation that is providing billions in funding to support Micron's project in central New York.

• Johnson, who headlined a rally Friday in Syracuse for Republican U.S. Rep. Brandon Williams, initially said that Republicans "probably will" aim to roll back the CHIPS and Science Act if the party wins control of Congress and the White House.

• Why the CHIPS and Science Act is a winning issue for state Sen. John Mannion in his bid for the 22nd Congressional District seat.

• Mannion, a Geddes Democrat who is challenging Williams, R-Sennett, in the 22nd Congressional District, told reporters Saturday that Johnson's comments show he "doesn't understand central New York."

• "The comments from the former president also are an indication that he doesn't understand our history and what we need here in central New York," Mannion said.

• Mannion played a key role at the state level in attracting Micron to central New York. He was a co-prime sponsor of the Green CHIPS legislation, which provides state incentives to chip manufacturers.

• For Mannion, his support of the Micron project isn't just about the future. As a lifelong central New Yorker, he saw other manufacturers leave and take numerous jobs with them. Based on that past experience, he wanted to do what he could at the state level to support the months-long campaign to bring Micron to central New York.

• "That's why this election is so important," Mannion said. "We need someone who is a good reflection of NY-22 and understands its history."

• Jeffries, who will become House speaker if Democrats can flip four seats, praised Mannion for his role in the bipartisan effort to secure Micron's commitment to the region. He also acknowledged the importance of the CHIPS and Science Act to the "economic revival" in central New York.

• Electing Mannion is critical, Jeffries explained, because he will "continue to build upon the progress that has been made and make sure that tens of thousands of good-paying jobs in this sector of the economy can continue to come back here for the hardworking taxpayers of this region."