ITIF Commends Senate Passage of US Innovation and Competition Act; Urges House to Authorize Adequate R&D Funding

WASHINGTON—Following the U.S. Senate’s passage of the United States Innovation and Competition Act (USICA), the Information Technology and Innovation Foundation (ITIF), the leading think tank for science and technology policy, released the following statement from ITIF President Robert D. Atkinson:

This is a desperately needed legislative package to shore up U.S. innovation-based competitiveness and help the federal government more effectively push back against China’s unfair mercantilist policies.

The bill is the product of a great deal of horse trading. ITIF believes it should have authorized greater funding for the section that incorporates the R&D-based Endless Frontier Act, but even with reduced funding levels the bill is an important step forward. We are particularly pleased that the legislation incorporates an ITIF proposal to create a regional innovation hub program.

Now it is over to the House. Whether lawmakers decide to establish a technology directorate in the National Science Foundation is not as important as it is that they authorize considerably more funding for industry-relevant R&D, manufacturing programs, and reshoring key industries such as semiconductors. Hopefully, under Speaker Pelosi’s leadership, the House will strengthen a competitiveness-based package to ensure the United States can compete successfully with China.