Conference Report on H.R. 2272, America Competes Act

Floor Speech

CONFERENCE REPORT ON H.R. 2272, AMERICA COMPETES ACT -- (Extensions of Remarks - September 04, 2007)

* Ms. MCCOLLUM of Minnesota. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 2272, the 21st Century Competitiveness Act.

* I want to commend my colleagues on both sides of the aisle for working together on this important legislation that responds to the global economic challenges our country faces. This bill ensures that American students, teachers, businesses, and workers are prepared to continue leading the world in innovation, research, and technology well into the future.

* In order for the United States to remain competitive in the global economy, we must invest in education. This bill will allow more students to be trained in math, science, engineering, and technology education through quality, innovative teacher-training programs. As a result, our future generation will be able to transform ideas into new technologies that will boost our economy and create good jobs here at home.

* Sadly over the last decade, U.S. Federal funding for research and development has declined steadily. H.R. 2272 makes a renewed commitment to independent scientific research by increasing funding for the National Science Foundation, NSF, the National Institute of Standards and Technology, NIST, and the Department of Energy's Office of Science. This bill provides grants for outstanding researchers and coordinates research ideas and infrastructure needs between universities, national labs, and Government agencies.

* In addition, creating a new energy policy is a top priority for the new Democratic majority. Clean energy technologies will create high-paying American jobs, strengthen our national security, lower costs for consumers, and reduce global warming. The 21st Century Competitiveness Act strengthens our national commitment to energy research and innovation by creating a new Advanced Research Agency for Energy, ARPA-E.

* Finally, H.R. 2272 increases support for innovative entrepreneurs. Small businesses are often the catalyst for new innovations; however these businesses face significant obstacles that limit their efforts to transform ideas into reality. This bill increases funding for the Manufacturing Extension Partnership, MEP, and also creates the Technology Innovation Program, TIP, that supports small businesses that are developing technologies that will benefit our country and world.

* I urge my colleagues to join me in support of this critical legislation that ensures the United States' global competitiveness.

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