House Clears Smith-Gardner American Innovation and Competitiveness Bill for Enactment

Statement

House Science, Space, and Technology Committee Chairman Lamar Smith (R-Texas) today applauds passage of the American Innovation and Competiveness Act (S. 3084). The Senate approved this legislation last week. Today's House action will send the bill to the president's desk for his signature.

Chairman Lamar Smith (R-Texas): "The American Innovation and Competitiveness Act is the result of a four-year effort to strengthen and reform the agencies and programs that administer taxpayer-supported basic research. This bill maximizes the nation's investment in basic research, and helps boost U.S. competitiveness, creates jobs and spurs new business and industries. It improves accountability and transparency, reduces administrative burden on researchers, enhances agency oversight, which improves research coordination, and reforms federal science agency programs to increase the impact of taxpayer-funded research.

"I thank Sens. John Thune and Cory Gardner for their leadership and persistence in getting us to the point of passage. I would also like to thank House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy for his tireless effort in helping to shepherd this "Innovation Initiative' bill across the finish line. I look forward to seeing this bill signed by the president and enacted into law for the betterment of our country."

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