July 29, 2022 News & Press Releases

Virginia Republicans Side With Big Pharma Over American People


by Democratic Party of Virginia

Rep. Cline, Rep. Wittman, Rep Griffith, and Rep. Good voted against a bill that is designed to make America more competitive with China, create jobs in the U.S., and help lower the price of goods

Richmond, VA – Yesterday, Virginia House Republicans, Rep. Cline, Rep. Wittman, Rep. Griffith, and Rep. Good, voted against the bipartisan CHIPS and Science Act – choosing to side with Big Pharma and China instead of voting to create jobs in America and secure our domestic supply chains. Many Republicans voted against the bill because they oppose Democrats' efforts to lower prescription drug costs.

“With yesterday’s vote, Virginia Republicans have made it official – they’ll side with anyone, even China, except for hardworking Virginians. The CHIPS and Science Act is a popular, bipartisan bill that will help create jobs and make us less dependent on China, but Rep. Cline, Rep. Wittman, Rep. Griffith, and Rep. Good are so extreme that they’d rather try and score political points than strengthen our economy – Virginians deserve better,” said DPVA Spokesperson Gianni Snidle. 

According to the Washington Post, the bill that Virginia Republicans voted against today, “would provide $52 billion in subsidies to domestic semiconductor manufacturers…in a bid to strengthen the United States’ competitiveness and self-reliance in what is seen as a keystone industry for economic and national security.” Incentivizing the manufacture of computer chips in America and being less dependent on China for them will help to lower the cost of everything from cars to household appliances that these chips are used in, and protect our national security by working to ensure we aren’t relying on China and other countries for these critical components. 

###