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| Press Releases |
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Congress Approves America COMPETES Act Conference Report
Act Expands Basic R&D, Promotes Math and Science Education |
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WASHINGTON, D.C. – The United States Senate and House of Representatives approved the America COMPETES Act conference report late last night. The Act expands education, and research and development, in the areas of science, technology, mathematics and education.
Commerce Committee Chairman Daniel K. Inouye (D-Hawaii), an original cosponsor of the measure, issued the following statement regarding the Commerce Committee provisions included in the America COMPETES ACT upon the adoption of the conference report in the Senate:
“America’s strength has always been in the innovation, technical skill, and education of its workforce. The economic growth and well-being of the nation relies on the technical innovations achieved by our workforce. To realize growth and success, the United States must continue to support the two critical components vital to the innovation process: education and basic research. Today, Congress takes a significant step toward this commitment.
“The National Academy of Sciences and the Council on Competitiveness have identified science and innovation as key drivers of economic growth. The United States has seen a sharp palpable decline in its scientific prowess. The United States is losing the educational battle with Germany, China, and Japan. In the United States, only thirty two percent of graduates hold a degree in science and engineering, while Germany boasts thirty six percent of graduates with degrees in science and engineering. Outpacing both the United States and Germany is China, with fifty nine percent of graduates with degrees in math and science, and Japan with sixty six percent.
“The America COMPETES Act embodies bipartisan, bicameral multi committee efforts in responding to the nation’s defining economic challenge of how to remain strong and competitive in the face of emerging challenges from India, China, and the rest of the world.
“The America COMPETES Act addresses programs within several scientific agencies of which the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation has jurisdiction. Within the Department of Commerce, the National Institutes of Standards and Technology (NIST) promotes U.S. innovation and industrial competitiveness by advancing measurement science, standards, and technology. The legislation before us would double the agency’s funding over the next 10 years. We also create a new program, the Technology Innovation Program, which will support high-risk, high-reward research. This was one of the major recommendations of the National Academies report, ‘Rising Above the Gathering Storm.’
“Also within the Department of Commerce, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) conducts significant basic atmospheric and oceanographic research, including climate change research. Some have argued that the ocean truly is the last frontier on Earth, and ocean research and technology may have broad impacts on improving health and understanding our environment. Toward this end, Congress included provisions on NOAA research and education, as well as, NOAA’s continued participation in interagency innovation and competitiveness efforts.
“The bill also includes the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) in the competitiveness agenda. Like the oceans, space serves to inspire young students and attract them to studies in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.
“The need for additional research through the National Science Foundation (NSF) also is addressed in this bill with authorization for appropriations through fiscal year 2010. This bill places NSF on track to double in seven years. While this is not as aggressive an approach as the Senate sought, it is clear that Congress is united in our belief that the NSF is indeed the nation’s premier scientific research enterprise. We need to support this enterprise to the best of our abilities, so that it can enable our scientists to continue their discovery. Within the NSF, I am proud that the conferees supported the creation of a mentoring program designed to recruit and train science, technology, and engineering professionals to mentor women, and other underrepresented minorities, in these fields. We need to ensure that we do not neglect a segment of the U.S. population, but rather maximize all of this country’s great human resources.
“A strong national investment in science, education, and technology provides opportunities for Americans to succeed in a whole array of disciplines and professions. Technology and innovation influence many policy problems such as a changing telecommunications landscape, potential improvements to our transportation infrastructure, and the need for advanced technologies to increase our energy independence. The America COMPETES Act directs the nation on the path to preserve and improve its workforce. This bill demonstrates that Americans are not taking their traditional technological and economic dominance for granted, but are continually working to improve and lead.”
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| 31st - |
Senate Commerce Committee to Examine NFL Retirement System
- WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation announces a full Committee hearing on the Oversight of the NFL Retirement System.
The hearing will examine the current compensation system for National Football League (NFL) retirees with claims of advanced injuries that became symptomatic after retiring from the NFL.
Oversight of the NFL Retirement Sys...
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| 10th - |
Inouye Commends DHS Secure Flight and APIS Rulemakings, Encourages Swifter Administration Action
- HONOLULU, HI – The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced yesterday two initiatives to strengthen aviation security: an Advance Passenger Information System (APIS) Pre-Departure Final Rule, and a Secure Flight Notice of Proposed Rule Making (NPRM).
The APIS Final Rule enables the DHS to collect manifest information for flights to and from the United States and for vessels ...
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| 9th - |
Innovation and Competitiveness Bill Signed into Law
- HONOLULU, HI – President George W. Bush signed into law today the America COMPETES Act, which expands education, and research and development, in the areas of science, technology, engineering and mathematics.
“The America COMPETES Act embodies bipartisan, bicameral multi-committee efforts in responding to the nation’s defining economic challenge of how to remain strong and c...
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| 9th - |
President Bush Signs America Competes Act into Law
- WASHINGTON, D.C. – President George W. Bush today signed the “America COMPETES Act” (Conference Report on S.761 and H.R. 2272) into law. This bill increases American investment in basic research and improves the teaching of math, science and engineering. The “America COMPETES Act” (S.761) was originally cosponsored by Senator Ted Stevens (R-Alaska), along with Major...
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| 3rd - |
Inouye and Stevens Introduce Bill to Promote Internet Safety, Protect Children from Online Predators
- WASHINGTON, D.C. – Commerce Committee Chairman Daniel K. Inouye (D-Hawaii) joined Committee Vice Chairman Ted Stevens (R-Alaska) late last night to introduce a bill to promote Internet Safety and to protect children from cybercrimes, including crimes committed by online predators. The Protecting Children in the 21st Century Act, S. 1965, also enhances efforts to identify and eliminate child ...
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| 3rd - |
current Press Release |
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| 3rd - |
Senator Stevens Introduces Resolution to Protect Arctic Fisheries
- WASHINGTON, D.C. – Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee Vice Chairman Ted Stevens (R-Alaska) today introduced a resolution directing the United States to initiate efforts with other nations to negotiate international agreements to better manage migratory and transboundary fish stocks in the Arctic Ocean. Cosponsors of the resolution include Senators Daniel Inouye (D-Hawaii)...
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| 3rd - |
Stevens Introduces Legislation to Protect Children Online
- WASHINGTON, D.C. – Senator Ted Stevens (R-Alaska), Vice Chairman of the Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee along with Committee Chairman Daniel Inouye (D-Hawaii), yesterday introduced the Protecting Children in the 21st Century Act (S.1965). The bill is cosponsored by Senators Kay Bailey Hutchison (R-Texas), Bill Nelson (D-Fla.) and Mark Pryor (D-Ark.). This measure wou...
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| 3rd - |
Congress Approves Bill To Encourage Competitiveness
- WASHINGTON, D.C. – The United States Congress late yesterday approved legislation (Conference Report on S.761 and H.R. 2272) to increase American investment in basic research and improve the teaching of math, science and engineering. The America Competes Act (S.761) was originally cosponsored by Senator Ted Stevens (R-Alaska), along with Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.), Republican Leade...
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| 2nd - |
Commerce Committee Passes Bill to Extend Do-Not-Call Registry
- WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee today unanimously reported out legislation cosponsored by Vice Chairman Ted Stevens (R-Alaska) to extend the Do-Not-Call Registry administered by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC). The Do-Not-Call Registry Fee Extension Act of 2007 (S. 781) was originally introduced by Senator Mark Pryor (D-Ark.). Since 2003, the...
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| 2nd - |
Senate Commerce Committee Reports Coast Guard Authorization Act
- WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation unanimously reported S. 1892, the Coast Guard Authorization Act, today. The bill, which authorizes approximately $8.2 billion for fiscal year 2008, would create new programs and grant additional authorities that increase the Coast Guard’s ability to protect homeland security, marine safety, fisheries, and...
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| 2nd - |
Stevens Statement on Coast Guard Authorization Passing Committee
- WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation today passed the Coast Guard Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2008 (S.1892). Committee Vice Chairman Ted Stevens (R-Alaska) is a cosponsor of the bill which now awaits action by the full Senate. This measure would authorize $8.7 billion for the United States Coast Guard in Fiscal Year 2008. This includes a s...
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| 1st - |
Statement of Chairman Daniel K. Inouye on the U.S. Department of Commerce Oversight Hearing
- WASHINGTON, D.C. – Commerce Committee Chairman Daniel K. Inouye (D-Hawaii) issued the following statement at the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation hearing on the Oversight of the U.S. Department of Commerce:
“President Calvin Coolidge once said, ‘the business of America is business.’ And on the surface, the business of the Commerce Department is ...
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| 1st - |
Stevens Questions Commerce Secretary on Alaska Aquaculture Exemption and IUU Fishing
- WASHINGTON, D.C. – Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee Vice Chairman Ted Stevens (R-Alaska) yesterday questioned Secretary of Commerce Carlos Gutierrez on an Alaska exemption for the Department of Commerce’s aquaculture legislation as well as illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing on the high seas. Secretary Gutierrez vowed to address both issues raised b...
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