WASHINGTON, (Reuters) – The U.S. president Joe Biden is visiting North Carolina to support his efforts to improve supply chains. He hopes to increase American semiconductor production and reduce dependence on foreign manufacturers.

Biden will visit North Carolina’s North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University and push Congress to pass the Bipartisan Innovation Bill, which aims at increasing funding for U.S. semiconductor production.

Bipartisan innovation legislation will result in record investments in American manufacturing, emerging technology and American engineering. The president stated that we once invested almost 2 percent in research and development. A White House official stated that while we don’t do this now, China is doing it.”

Biden hopes Congress will pass legislation soon and is pleased to hear that senators from the Senate as well as the House of Representatives are working together to find common ground.

The Biden administration’s top officials such as Labor Secretary Marty Walsh or Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo have been spreading out to pressure lawmakers across the country for the passage of the legislation.