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Key Takeaway
Blackburn voted against the CHIPS and Science Act despite Oak Ridge National Laboratory — in her own state — being a direct beneficiary of the semiconductor research and manufacturing investments.
Oak Ridge National Laboratory and the $52 Billion CHIPS Investment
Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) is the Department of Energy’s largest science and energy laboratory, employing over 6,000 people and generating billions in economic impact for East Tennessee. The CHIPS and Science Act authorized significant new funding for DOE national labs, advanced computing, and materials science research — all core competencies of ORNL. The lab’s Frontier supercomputer, the world’s first exascale computing system, represents exactly the kind of American technological leadership the CHIPS Act was designed to sustain.
Beyond ORNL, the University of Tennessee’s research enterprise, the UT-Battelle partnership, and the growing innovation corridor between Knoxville and Oak Ridge all benefit from the science funding authorizations in the CHIPS Act. Blackburn’s No vote was a vote against the research infrastructure that supports thousands of high-paying jobs in her own state.
Why Semiconductor Manufacturing Is a National Security Issue
The CHIPS Act was motivated in large part by national security concerns about America’s dependence on foreign semiconductor manufacturing, particularly in Taiwan. The COVID-era chip shortage demonstrated the fragility of global supply chains and the strategic vulnerability of relying on a single region for the advanced chips that power everything from military systems to medical devices. The act passed the Senate 64-33 with broad bipartisan support. Blackburn, who frequently positions herself as strong on national defense, voted against a bill that military leaders and intelligence officials described as critical to American security.
As governor, Blackburn would be responsible for attracting advanced manufacturing investment to Tennessee and supporting the state’s innovation ecosystem. Her vote against the CHIPS Act raises questions about whether she would prioritize the science and technology sector that is increasingly vital to East Tennessee’s economic future, or whether she would continue to oppose the federal investments that make that growth possible.
Blackburn Opposed the CHIPS and Science Act, a Direct Investment in Tennessee’s Innovation Economy
In July 2022, Senator Marsha Blackburn voted against the CHIPS and Science Act, bipartisan legislation that invested $280 billion in domestic semiconductor manufacturing, scientific research, and technology workforce development. The law was designed to reduce American dependence on foreign chip production and strengthen national security—while also directing significant science funding to institutions across Tennessee.
How ORNL Stands to Benefit From the CHIPS and Science Act
The CHIPS and Science Act authorized major new funding for Department of Energy national laboratories, including Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) in East Tennessee. ORNL is the largest DOE science and energy laboratory in the country and a cornerstone of the regional economy. The lab employs thousands of researchers and staff, generates billions in economic activity, and anchors a growing innovation ecosystem that includes partnerships with the University of Tennessee and numerous private-sector companies.
By voting against CHIPS, Blackburn voted against a direct investment in one of her own state’s most important economic engines.
The Taiwan Risk: Why Domestic Chip Production Matters
The COVID-19 pandemic exposed critical vulnerabilities in global semiconductor supply chains, leading to shortages that affected everything from car manufacturing to medical equipment production. The CHIPS Act addressed this by incentivizing domestic chip fabrication. Tennessee, with its existing manufacturing base, research institutions, and central geographic location, stood to benefit significantly from this reshoring effort. Blackburn’s opposition put ideological messaging ahead of concrete economic opportunity for Tennessee workers.
The University of Tennessee-ORNL Research Pipeline
The University of Tennessee and ORNL partnership represents one of the most significant academic-research collaborations in the Southeast. CHIPS Act science authorizations support the kind of basic and applied research that keeps this corridor competitive globally—in areas like advanced materials, quantum computing, artificial intelligence, and clean energy. For students and researchers at UT and other Tennessee institutions, this funding represents future careers and discoveries that will benefit the entire state.
Frontier Supercomputer and the Next Generation of Tennessee Innovation
The CHIPS and Science Act directed substantial funding to scientific research and development, including facilities like Oak Ridge National Laboratory — one of the largest science and energy research labs in the world, located just a few hours from East Tennessee. Oak Ridge employs thousands of Tennesseans and serves as a critical anchor for the state’s growing technology sector, including work on advanced computing, nuclear energy, and materials science.
Blackburn’s vote against the CHIPS Act put her in opposition to legislation that directly benefits one of Tennessee’s most important scientific institutions. The funding supports not only the research conducted at Oak Ridge but also the broader ecosystem of technology companies, startups, and educational institutions that have grown around the lab. For a state actively working to attract high-tech investment, opposing legislation that funds scientific research sends a mixed message to potential investors and employers.
Pentagon Chip Dependency and the Case for Domestic Manufacturing
The CHIPS Act was designed in part to address national security concerns about America’s dependence on foreign semiconductor manufacturing, particularly from Taiwan and China. Semiconductors are essential components in everything from smartphones and cars to military weapons systems and critical infrastructure. The COVID-19 pandemic exposed vulnerabilities in global supply chains that made domestic semiconductor production a bipartisan priority.
Tennessee’s manufacturing sector — a major employer across the state — depends on reliable access to semiconductors for automotive manufacturing, appliance production, and industrial equipment. Blackburn’s vote against investing in domestic chip production was at odds with her stated support for American manufacturing and national security preparedness.
What the Next Governor Can Do to Attract Tech Jobs
Tennessee’s governor plays an active role in economic development, including attracting technology companies, supporting workforce development programs, and coordinating with federal research facilities. The state has been competing with other states to attract semiconductor and advanced manufacturing facilities — competitions that are heavily influenced by the governor’s office and the incentive packages it can offer.
If Blackburn becomes governor, her track record of opposing federal investments in technology and science could undermine Tennessee’s ability to compete for these high-value economic development opportunities. Companies evaluating potential locations for new facilities consider the political environment and the governor’s support for innovation-friendly policies as significant factors in their decision-making.
Related: See also the $8.8 billion in infrastructure Blackburn voted against and her opposition to the Inflation Reduction Act.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Did Blackburn vote against the CHIPS Act?
Yes. Blackburn voted No on the CHIPS and Science Act in 2022, which invests $52 billion in domestic semiconductor manufacturing and authorizes science funding across DOE national labs.
How does the CHIPS Act affect East Tennessee?
Oak Ridge National Laboratory and the UT-ORNL research ecosystem in East Tennessee directly benefit from CHIPS Act science funding authorizations. The law supports the kind of advanced manufacturing and research jobs that the region depends on.
Why did Blackburn oppose the CHIPS Act?
Blackburn argued the bill amounted to corporate subsidies. However, the law passed with bipartisan support (64-33 in the Senate) and was backed by both the semiconductor industry and national security experts concerned about U.S. dependence on foreign chip production.
Sources
- H.R.4346 – CHIPS and Science Act (Congress.gov)
- Oak Ridge National Laboratory
- U.S. Department of Commerce: CHIPS for America
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