Should Congress allocate funding towards technological innovation and research?
This bill encompasses several initiatives with the goal of improving U.S. technological research and manufacturing. It aims to increase technological research in the United States by creating the Directorate for Technology and Innovation within the National Science Foundation (NSF). The bill also establishes a “regional technology hub” program, which encourages technological and economic innovation in rural communities.
Sponsor: Chuck Schumer (Democrat, New York)
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How do you feel?
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Opponents say
• "We are concerned that the current legislation does not invest in or strengthen the work of DOE [Department of Energy] and the National Laboratories across the legislation's key technology focus areas and the technology commercialization programs it would establish and could undermine its success….DOE and its labs are also better placed and experience to prevent the theft of defense and other commercial technologies and know-how by competitors, including China." Source: Sen. James E. Risch (Republican, Idaho)
• "America doesn't have the money to pay for the Endless Spending Act, so here's what this deficit spending means: Senate Democrats are asking their colleagues to borrow money from China to fund projects that add precious little to our military defense or economic competitiveness against China. This bill isn't anti-China, but it is pro-spending. This bill would do the Chinese Communist Party a favor by further crippling American taxpayers with debt owned by China. China is a bad actor, and this is a bad bill." Source: Sen. John Kennedy (Republican, Louisiana)
• "How much should the federal government spend on R&D? Is it $100 billion, or $250 billion, or why not $1 trillion?...And is there a point at which our policy becomes counterproductive?" Source: Sen. Mike Lee (Republican, Utah)
Proponents say
• "This legislation will enhance American competitiveness with China and other countries by investing in American innovation, building up regions across the country to lead in the innovation economy, creating good-paying American manufacturing and high-tech jobs, and strengthening America's research, development, and manufacturing capabilities. The Endless Frontier Act is the key to preserving America's position on the world stage as a current and future technological leader in the 21st Century." Source: Sen. Charles Schumer (Democrat, New York)
• "We face a pivotal time in history. Right now, the Chinese Communist Party is emphasizing to the world that the United States is a divided nation. This is a rare opportunity to show the authoritarians in Beijing, and the rest of the world, that when it comes to our national security, and most importantly our China policy, we are united….the Endless Frontier Act will help invest in innovative small businesses that create jobs, invest in critical emerging technologies, and put America in a position to outgrow, out-innovate, and out-compete our leading geopolitical foe." Source: Sen. Todd Young (Republican, Indiana)
• "This bicameral, bipartisan legislation is the first step on making that future a reality for our country. Grateful for Majority Leader Schumer’s leadership, as well as the partnership of Sen. Young & Rep. Gallagher, as we bring together the innovations of Silicon Valley, the fortitude of the American Midwest, and the wealth of the Empire State under one proposal. President Biden is in an ideal position to sign the Endless Frontiers Act & make it a pillar of efforts to revive our post-COVID economy. We must win the technology race." Source: Rep. Ro Khanna (Democrat, California, District 17)
- Majority Leader Schumer, Senator Young, and Representatives Khanna and Gallager Introduce Endless Frontier Act
- Young, Schumer Unveil Endless Frontier Act to Bolster U.S. Tech Leadership and Combat China (Press Release)
- Release: Khanna, Schumer, Young, Gallagher Unveil Endless Frontier Act to Bolster U.S. Leadership in Science and Tech
