Study of Underrepresented Classes Chasing Engineering and Science Success Act of 2018

Floor Speech

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Mr. NADLER. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of H.R. 6758, the SUCCESS Act.

This bipartisan legislation would direct the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and the Small Business Administration to study the underrepresentation of women, minorities, and veterans among patent holders. It would also require the agencies to recommend legislative solutions for increasing participation by these underrepresented groups in entrepreneurship activities, and increasing the number of them who apply for and obtain patents.

The SUCCESS Act would provide an important first step toward narrowing the race and gender gap among patent holders. One study estimated that per capita GDP could grow 4.6 percent if more women and African Americans were included in the initial stages of the innovation process. It also found that exposure to innovation during childhood has an important impact on a person's desire to become an inventor. That makes it critical that young people have diverse role models in all fields of study.

The bill was strengthened, in the Judiciary Committee, by the Gentleman from Illinois, Mr. Schneider, whose amendment added veterans to the list of underrepresented groups that will be studied. Promoting greater inclusion in the innovation ecosystem is good for our economy and good for underserved communities, and I am pleased to support the bill.

The SUCCESS Act would also extend the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office's fee setting authority for eight years. Since this authority was first granted to the PTO under the America Invents Act, seven years ago, it has helped put the agency on solid financial footing, and it has enabled the PTO to continue performing the important work of protecting Americans' intellectual property.

I appreciate the leadership of Mr. Chabot and Mr. Johnson, the sponsors of this bill, and the other bipartisan cosponsors of this legislation. I want to particularly thank Ms. Velazquez, the Ranking Member of the Small Business Committee, for all that she has done to bring attention to the lack of diversity among patent holders, and to the important issues highlighted in this bill.

I look forward to continuing to work with her, and the other bill sponsors to advance not only this legislation, but also other measures to address the underrepresentation of women, minorities, and veterans within the innovation ecosystem.

I urge my colleagues to support this bill.

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