Issue link: https://iconnect007.uberflip.com/i/1535183
58 DESIGN007 MAGAZINE I MAY 2025 did, especially on the social requirements for those awards. But in his confirmation hear- ings, Commerce Secretary Lutnick commit- ted to bringing the supply chain back to the U.S., and we're encouraged by that. With the new investment accelerator, we're pressing full steam ahead in working with the CHIPS office to ensure that the entire elec- tronics industry value chain in the U.S. is included. Nolan Johnson: Is there a change of senti- ment around the printed circuit board stimu- lus bill that now is trying to get passage in its third Congress? Are they willing to invest in that now? Right now, Congress is focused on tax policy: pushing through the extension of the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act's pro-manufacturing provisions, a 100% depreciation bonus, the R&D expensing, and so forth. Our effort on the PCB bill has been to try to include it in the tax conversation. It's challenging to add any new tax credit, especially in this current budget environ- ment where they're trying to find sources of revenue to pay for these major tax provi- sions. But we've been going to the Hill jointly with PCBAA and our members to push for that PCB tax credit. We're right there in the conversation, making sure that idea is on the table should the opportunity present itself throughout the reconciliation process. Johnson: With the PCB bill, it feels like trying to get your toddler to eat broccoli. You just keep presenting it, and eventually it happens. A congresswoman that I worked with dur- ing my time on the Hill once reflected, as she was retiring, that one of her proudest accom- plishments was a piece of legislation that she carried for 10 years before the moment was right and finally was passed. A legislative vehicle was moving, and her provision was included. Hopefully, we're on a much shorter timeframe than that, but we just keep at it. Between 15–20% of the members of Con- gress are new every two years, so we must continually educate members and their staff on how critical electronic manufacturing like PCB, substrates, and electronics assembly is to our supply chains in every part of the econ- omy, especially in defense and infrastructure. e point is that when there's a path for- ward, you need to be ready. You had to do that relationship-building and education ahead of time so you could exploit the opportunity. at's what we're doing. Politics is a team sport, so we're working with our friends wherever we can find them to highlight our industry to the Hill and the Administration. Matties: The bonus depreciation provision really helped industry, especially with new factories and businesses moving back into the U.S. In the first year, companies got a 100% write-off; then it decreased by 20%. I understand the current policy would be retro- active to 2023 if it were to pass. Is IPC vocal- izing support for that? Congress is currently putting together the tax bill as we speak. Whether it is retroactive is dependent on the negotiations throughout the legislative process. As I mentioned, there is a real challenge Congress has to address Rich Cappetto