News Updates
Rep. Frank Lucas & NSF Director Dr. Panchanathan on the need to pass the Bipartisan Innovation Act
From the recent STAC and CQ Roll Call event on March 31, watch Rep. Frank Lucas (R-OK) and Dr. Panchanathan, Director of NSF, discuss the importance of passing the Bipartisan Innovation Act to secure the future of U.S. competitiveness.
CQ Roll Call Event Recording | Investing in Science and Technology for the Future of U.S. Global Competitiveness
Watch highlights from the STAC and CQRC virtual event focused on the importance of investing in science and technology for the future of U.S. global competitiveness.
Underinvesting in Science = Undermining America’s Future
What Congress does next could determine the future of U.S. global competitiveness
Our Nation’s Leaders Must Step Up for Science
The U.S. risks falling behind if it doesn’t prioritize federal investment in research and development
Congress Must Step Up for Science
The U.S. risks falling behind if it doesn’t prioritize federal investment in research and development
STAC Commends Speaker Pelosi’s “Dear Colleague” on House Democrats’ Upcoming Agenda For The People
The Science and Technology Action Committee commends Speaker Pelosi for her commitment to the advancement of science and technology during this critical time in history. Read her letter to the House Democratic Majority, where she thanks them for their outstanding accomplishments over the previous year and also focuses their attention on passing critical bipartisan legislation, including the omnibus and the introduction of a competitiveness bill.
Opinion: There’s still a chance to deliver historic science funding in 2022
As Congressional leaders and President Biden restart the process of enacting a domestic agenda that can pass a divided Congress, focusing on our nation’s science and technology future — a set of critical investments and related policies that enjoy broad bipartisan support — is a good place to start. In fact, it could be an opportunity to use an old-fashioned, but effective legislative strategy: the bipartisan appropriations process. Without question, there’s no shortage of support for science and technology on both sides of the aisle but over the years, that support has failed to translate into a national priority. Until now.
Briefing Paper: A Roadmap for Investment in Science and Technology
As President Biden and Congressional leaders restart the process of enacting a domestic agenda that can pass a divided Congress, focusing on our nation’s science and technology future is a good place to start. We have drafted a white paper highlighting investments made in the infrastructure package, those that were under consideration in the reconciliation bill, and those proposed in the appropriations bill in key priority areas. Collectively, these bills can serve as a blueprint for expanding funding in science and technology and keeping the U.S. globally competitive in 2022 and beyond.
Opinion: The Morning: Frustration over stalled bill
Re: “The Morning: Frustration over stalled bill” from December 9, 2021, David Leonhardt concludes, “America’s global rivals are no doubt cheered by the dysfunction.” We share Leonhardt’s concern that bipartisan legislation (the U.S. Innovation and Competition and NSF for the Future Acts) that would provide a sorely needed blueprint for U.S. global competitiveness in science and technology investment remains unfinished. In addition, proposed increases in annual funding for science and technology have been postponed for consideration until next year, which freezes federal investments in place just when we need progress more than ever. And the sweeping Build Back Better legislation, which also includes new programs that would strengthen the U.S. science enterprise, remains mired in debate.
Science and Technology Action Committee (STAC) Progress in Implementation
In November 2020, STAC released the Science & Technology Action Plan (STAP), with recommendations centered on three overarching themes – Leadership, Coordination, and Investment – and focused on confronting threats within four broad categories: Public Health and Healthcare, Environment and Climate Change, Food and Water Security, and Energy Production, Utilization, and Storage. In January of 2021, STAC launched the implementation of the Action Plan and is making great strides.