WASHINGTON – President Joe Biden will celebrate a new $ 20 billion investment by IBM in New York’s Hudson River Valley with two House Democrats competing in competitive bidding in next month’s critical midterm elections.
Biden attends an announcement this Thursday afternoon at the IBM facility in Poughkeepsie, New York. It is expected to unveil the company’s plans as part of what the White House says is a manufacturing “boom” fueled by the passage this summer of a $ 280 billion legislative package aimed at reviving the semiconductor industry and research. science from the United States.
Democrats facing tough mid-term contests have largely avoided appearing with Biden in the run-up to the November election. But Biden, whose approval ratings remain submerged, will be joined by two House incumbents in New York competitive bidding that turn the tide: reps Sean Patrick Maloney and Pat Ryan.
“When I heard @POTUS was trying to see the benefits of the CHIPS & Science Act firsthand, I told him Hudson Valley was the perfect place,” Maloney tweeted Wednesday. “I am delighted to welcome you to Poughkeepsie this week to celebrate the important victories and good jobs we are providing here in New York.”
The CHIPS and science lawwhich Biden signed in August was rare legislation for which the president was able to gain bipartisan support.
According to the White House, IBM’s $ 20 billion investment over the next decade aims to promote research, development and manufacturing of semiconductors, mainframe technology, artificial intelligence and quantum computing in New York’s Hudson River Valley.
“As we face large-scale technological challenges in terms of climate, energy, transport and more, we must continue to invest in innovation and discovery, as advanced technologies are key to solving these problems and promoting economic prosperity, including better jobs,” for millions of Americans. ”said Arvind Krishna, president and CEO of IBM.
IBM’s investment comes on the heels of chip maker Micron, which earlier this week announced an investment of up to $ 100 billion over the next 20 years or more to build a New York state plant that could create 9,000 jobs. I work in the factory.
Maloney, chairman of the powerful campaign fundraising arm of the Democratic Congress, is running against Republican State Assemblyman Mike Lawler in New York’s 17th Precinct. Ryan is confronting State Assemblyman Colin Schmitt in District 18.
The boundaries of most New York boroughs, including Maloney and Ryan, were affected by the reorganization.
In August, Ryan won a tight special election to fill the term of Democrat Antonio Delgado, who left his seat in the 19th district after Democratic Governor Kathy Hochul appointed him lieutenant governor. Ryan is running to serve a full term in District 18, where he lives.
Maloney, who had served in New York’s 18th Ward since 2013, decided to run in the 17th Ward. His Hudson Valley home re-entered the new boundaries after the reorganization.
Also attending will be Hochul, who took office last year after Democrat Andrew Cuomo resigned over sexual harassment allegations. He is looking to win a full term in next month’s election against Republican Lee Zeldin.
Later Thursday, Biden will head to downtown New Jersey for a fundraiser at Governor Phil Murphy’s home in support of the Democratic National Committee. In the evening, she heads to Manhattan for a Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee fundraiser hosted by James Murdoch, son of News Corp. conservative editor Rupert Murdoch.
Murdoch and his wife, Kathryn, a climate change activist, were the main donors to Biden’s 2020 presidential campaign. In 2020, Murdoch stepped down from the News Corp. board due to differences over editorial content. of his company, father, which runs the Wall Street Journal and New York Post. Elder Murdoch is also president of Fox Corp., which includes the Fox News Channel.
While many Democratic candidates have kept Biden at bay, he has been a prodigious fundraiser for his party in this election cycle, raising over $ 19.6 million for the Democratic National Committee.
