More Federal Research; Focus on Math and Science Education

The U.S. Senate gave overwhelming approval Wednesday to legislation promoted by the Electronic Industries Alliance (EIA) to make U.S. technology companies and workers more competitive in the global economy.

On a convincing 88-8 vote, senators passed The America Competes Act (S. 761) to dramatically increase funding for federal research and efforts to improve proficiency in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) education.

"The more intelligent investment our government and private sector makes in both robust research programs and students developing their technical talents, the brighter the prospects become for domestic innovation and the workers who make it happen," said Mike Kennedy, EIA's chairman of the board and Motorola senior vice president. "The Senate took a strong vote for continued American excellence in a fiercely competitive global market. And, handily the House did too. This just proves that this matter is bipartisan and urgent."

Of particular interest to EIA members are the bill's provisions creating new programs and financial incentives to enhance the skills of K-12 STEM teachers; encouraging high-risk, high-reward research at various federal agencies, such as NASA and the Department of Energy; a grant program for research in the fields of advanced information and communications technology; and establishing an Advisory Board that includes industry representation.

"It's only April, and 2007 is already shaping up to be a big year for innovation policy," Kennedy added. "The technology industry is fortunate to have such strong supporters on both sides of the aisle."

On Tuesday evening the U.S. House of Representatives passed H.R. 362 and H.R. 363, legislation similar to S. 761 and also backed by EIA. The proposed boosts in spending on research and education come just two months after lawmakers and President Bush enacted funding increases as part of a fiscal year 2007 budget that left many other programs at current levels. The flurry of activity continues the multi-year commitment made by both the Bush Administration and congressional leaders from both parties to double basic research funding.

Senate sponsors of the bill include: Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev.; Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky.; Jeff Bingaman, D-N.M.; Pete Domenici, R-N.M.; Daniel Inouye, D-Hawaii; Ted Stevens, R-Alaska; Ted Kennedy, D-Mass.; Michael Enzi, R-Wyo.; Joe Lieberman, I-Conn.; John Ensign, R-Nev.; Barbara Mikulski, D-Md.; Lamar Alexander, R-Tenn.; Bill Nelson, D-Fla.; and Kay Bailey Hutchison, R-Tex. Similar legislation, which was introduced in the last Congress but not enacted, had more than 50 co-sponsors.