America Competes Reauthorization Act of 2010

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Mr. HOLT. Mr. Chair, I strongly support the robust investment in education, research, innovation, manufacturing, and other programs in the COMPETES Act. The amendment I'm offering would help stitch together these important initiatives by directing the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy to prepare a comprehensive national competitiveness and innovation strategy within 1 year.

We know that half or perhaps more of the growth in our GDP over the past half century is attributable to our investments in research and technology. For decades, United States leadership in science, engineering, and innovation was unquestionable. But we can't pretend any more that this is a given. A year ago, the Information Technology and Innovation Foundation, using good methodology, found that among 40 major nations or regions, the United States ranks not first, but sixth, in overall innovation and competitiveness. More importantly, over the last decade, every one of those 40 has improved their innovation capacity at a greater rate than we.

The five nations ranked by ITIF as ``out-competing'' the United States already have national competitiveness or innovation strategies in place. Altogether, at least 30 countries with whom we might compare ourselves have implemented plans to boost their competitiveness. The United States has yet to put forward a similarly comprehensive roadmap for success. Of course, it's not a panacea. But we have the tools and resources to lead the world in science and technology. We can't remain complacent as other nations race to the top. We need to know what is working and what needs improvement. We need to understand how we can reallocate our resources to improve efficiency and productivity. We need to be able to measure whether our actions are having a positive effect. Businesses, schools, and governments need to know where we stand and need to be clear on where we're going.

My amendment requires a comprehensive, coordinated national strategy for improving our economic competitiveness through innovation, and it ensures that we will continuously evaluate our progress in this area. Our competitors are doing it already. We should, too.

I urge my colleagues to support this amendment and the underlying bill. This bill is a real testament to the good work of the fine chair of the Science Committee, Mr. Gordon. I thank him for the good work.

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