Bob's Weekly Report (Ensuring Our Nation's Competitiveness)
ENSURING OUR NATION'S COMPETITIVENESS
Throughout our history, America has stood for innovation. We have pioneered the majority of the technology that we now consider fundamental to our modern lifestyle and that is vitally important to the prosperity of our country. For this very reason, the Congress has worked hard to pass legislation that will better prepare and develop workers to compete in the global economy and remove government barriers that stifle innovation.
Earlier this year, I was pleased to introduce the Innovation and Competitiveness Act, which is a comprehensive piece of legislation to get Congress engaged in promoting innovation in America. This legislation promotes and expands critical research and development, improves math and science education in order to increase America's talent pool, reduces overly burdensome red tape by creating opportunities for economic growth and innovation, promotes health information technology, and ends abuse of the legal system.
Thus far, the House has passed 39 pieces of legislation, including three key components of my Innovation and Competitiveness Act, which establish new ways to strengthen America's ability to compete in the global marketplace and create better quality jobs at home.
My Innovation and Competitiveness Act includes the Lawsuit Abuse Reduction Act, which passed the House last fall. This legislation continues our commitment to growing our economy and helping small businesses by putting a stop to abusive lawsuits. Specifically, the bill brings accountability to those who file baseless claims and provides a national solution to end unjustifiable forum shopping. Frivolous lawsuits make both small businesses and their employees suffer. Individuals and attorneys who file baseless claims and victimize innocent people and small businesses should be held accountable for their actions.
The College Access and Opportunity Act, also included in my Innovation and Competitiveness Act, passed the House earlier this year and includes several reforms to strengthen math, science and critical foreign language education, all of which enhances American competitiveness. Specifically this legislation provides student loan relief to individuals with degrees in math or science who serve as teachers in these fields and provides honors scholarships to students pursuing a degree in math, science or engineering.
Last month, the House passed the Health Information Technology Promotion Act, another important piece of my Innovation and Competitiveness Act, to help reduce medical errors and improve medical treatment and record-keeping. This legislation will help make available more affordable health care that promotes patient safety and improves the quality of care.
While the U.S. still leads the world in scientific and technological innovation, this nation must continue to be flexible to meet the new realities of today and the daunting challenges of tomorrow. It is imperative that we continue to promote our nation's competitiveness and ensure that America remains the Land of Opportunity.
http://www.house.gov/list/speech/va06_goodlatte/090806.html