Washington, DC—The Task Force on American Innovation, a coalition of businesses, trade groups, scientific and engineering societies, and university organizations which supports federally-funded scientific research, today issued the following statement on the passage of the ‘United States Innovation and Competition Act’:

“We are pleased to see key movements in the effort to significantly increase investments in America’s innovation-based economy. Today, the Senate took historic action by passing the ‘United States Innovation and Competition Act (USICA)’ with strong bipartisan support. If enacted, USICA would help the United States maintain its global leadership in innovation. Furthermore, TFAI applauds the inclusion of funding for research and development in semiconductor technologies as authorized by the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). We hope that momentum to prioritize funding for critical federal science agencies continues as the appropriation process begins. TFAI looks forward to working with Congress to actualize and sustain the historic authorization increases for funding at the National Science Foundation (NSF), Department of Energy (DOE) Office of Science, the Department of Defense’s Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) and the Department of Commerce.

TFAI looks forward to continuing to work with the Senate and House of Representatives as they continue to consider these important issues.”

For more information, go to www.innovationtaskforce.org.