Today, TFAI sent the following letter to key members of the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives, regarding America’s FY24 Priorities:
TFAI FY24 Priorities 02-07-23Click here for a printer-friendly version.
Full text of the letter is below:
Dear Chairwoman Murray, Vice Chairwoman Collins, Chairwoman Granger, and Ranking Member DeLauro:
The Task Force on American Innovation (TFAI)—an alliance of industry, scientific societies, and university organizations—commends you and your colleagues for your work throughout the fiscal year 2023 (FY23) appropriations process and for taking initial steps to meet the historic authorization increases enacted in the CHIPS and Science Act.
The House and Senate made significant investments in research and development (R&D) when finalizing FY23; however, much work remains if we are to firmly secure America’s leadership in basic scientific research and innovative technologies. As we enter the FY24 appropriations process, we urge you to build on the success of last year by continuing to prioritize federal investments in our nation’s research enterprise that are vital to our nation’s competitiveness and security. The U.S. Congress’s bipartisan commitment in the landmark CHIPS and Science Act of 2022 provides a roadmap for federal research investments in the Department of Energy (DOE) Office of Science (SC), the National Science Foundation (NSF), and the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST). It is also a model for investments for other science agencies not included in the Act.
As a coalition, we urge bipartisan and bicameral support for robust investments in scientific and engineering R&D, at the full authorized levels in the CHIPS and Science Act for the DOE Office of Science, NSF, and NIST. We also support increased investment in the Department of Defense (DOD) 6.1 basic research programs and key NASA science programs which also support science and engineering research vital to our nation’s scientific ecosystem. Federal investments in these agencies provide the foundation for our national innovation enterprise and pay dividends in the form of new companies, jobs, and technologies in future years. Funding federal R&D is how we provide the necessary infrastructure for our nation and economy to continue to thrive.
We also strongly encourage you to start and complete the FY24 appropriations process by the end of FY23. Our nation can ill-afford delayed appropriations decisions as our competitors race forward. Delay hampers scientific progress and our nation’s competitiveness.
Thank you for your leadership and continued support of federally funded research in the physical sciences and engineering. The United States needs stable, sustained, and strong funding for these agencies that help bolster the U.S. economy, grow the U.S. workforce, and maintain U.S. leadership in science, technology, and innovation.
Sincerely yours,
The Task Force on American Innovation