Biden SLAMS MAGA Republicans for wanting to 'cede the future to China'

President Joe Biden touted his administration's investment in manufacturing during a visit to a semiconductor plant on Tuesday, and said MAGA Republicans wanted to let China take the lead in key technologies by cutting funding.

He kicked off a three-week swing through key battleground states by senior officials as they do battle with Republicans who want to cut spending to rein in the national debt.

'MAGA Republicans in Congress all want to cut the Chips and Science Act, stripping our investments in next generation science and technology like bio manufacturing, quantum computing, and molecular electronics,' he told workers and VIPs gathered in Durham, North Carolina.

'Look folks, it would mean ceding the future of innovation and technology to China. 

'I've got news for you, and for MAGA Republicans in Congress: Not on my watch.'

President Joe Biden on Tuesday said MAGA Republicans wanted to let China take the lead in key technologies by cutting funding for research and development

Biden visited a semiconductor manufacturing plant in Durham, North Carolina, on Tuesday, using it as a chance to slam Republicans for their planned spending cuts

He may not have declared that he is running for reelection, but Biden's trip to North Carolina looks and sounds like a campaign stop.

He arrived at Wolfspeed, an expanding semiconductor manufacturing plant in Durham, after urging Congress once again to pass gun reform as he left the White House in the morning.

And he referred to the shooting as he began his speech before pivoting to the reason for his visit. 

He described the action his administration took during the pandemic, when the US realized how reliant it was on foreign supply chains for things like computer chipis. 

'It's all part of my agenda to invest in America, American jobs, American innovation, pride in our country, dignity for workers and their families.

'But unfortunately, extreme MAGA Republicans not all but extreme MAGA Republicans are threatening to undo all this progress.'

The backdrop was carefully chosen to reflect progress. Wolfspeed announced in September plans to build a $5 billion manufacturing facility in Chatham County that is expected to create 1,800 jobs. 

The visit is part of a three-week push involving other senior administration figures to spotlight legislation that has boosted the economy, contrasting Biden's plan with that of Republicans as they tussle over budget priorities.

Biden met union workers at the Wolfspeed plant in Durham during the visit 

The budget tussle has given Biden ammunition to go on the attack after two years on defense

Rendering of Wolfspeed Silicon Carbide Materials manufacturing facility to be located in Chatham County North Carolina. Phase one construction is due to finish next year

The Wolfspeed announcement came soon after the Biden administration steered the CHIPS Act through Congress, part of an effort to promote the domestic semiconductor industry and scientific research.

There is nothing unusual in Biden trumpeting his successes in office. But he has leaned into attacks on Republicans in recent weeks amid growing expectation that he is about to announce a reelection effort.

And during the next three weeks officials will be focusing on key swing states such as Georgia, Michigan, Nevada, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin ... all starting with Biden's trip to a state won narrowly by Trump in 2020.

Biden has said he intends to run for a second term but has yet to formally launch his reelection campaign. 

Vice President Kamala Harris, first lady Jill Biden and other senior officials will travel to 20 states during the push, according to the White House. 

In recent weeks, White House messaging has gone bolder and more aggressive after two years of being on the defensive. 

Last year the Biden administration steered the CHIPS Act through Congress, which is designed to promote the domestic semiconductor industry and scientific research

Biden's handling of the economy, amid record inflation, and a border security crisis have been used by Republicans to go on the attack. 

Administration officials have now homed in on Republican demands to cut budget spending to illustrate what they say would be backward steps.

On the border, they say it  would inevitably reduce the number of border patrol agents if the GOP is intent on maintaining money for defense and social security programs.

'The MAGA plan would deny the men and women of Customs and Border Protection the resources they need to secure our borders,' said White House Communications Director Ben LaBolt in a memo earlier this month. 

'It would mean less agents and less technology to combat fentanyl trafficking, disrupt criminal organizations, and stop illegal border crossings.'

Officials have repeatedly used the specter of extremist Reblicans — allies of Donald Trump such as Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene or the House Freedom Caucus — to paint the entire GOP as a far-right fringe.

On Monday, White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said that with his visit Biden wanted to demonstrate 'what's at stake if MAGA Republicans in Congress get their way and repeal the Inflation Reduction Act, hike taxes on hardworking families and slash funding for manufacturing innovation and research.'