U.S. Commerce chief urges Congress to act on chip funding by August

FILE PHOTO: U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo takes a question during a press briefing at the White House in Washington, U.S., April 7, 2021. REUTERS/Kevin Lamarque/File Photo

(Reuters) - U.S. Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo on Monday urged U.S. lawmakers to complete action on a $52 billion boost in government funding for semiconductor production and research before Congress leaves for its August recess.

The U.S. Senate on June 8 voted 62-38 to approve the funding and to authorize $190 billion intended to boost the country's ability to compete with Chinese technology.