Young: Pass Endless Frontier Act to Invest in America and Keep Pace with China
WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Senator Todd Young (R-Ind.) spoke on his Endless Frontier Act to solidify American leadership in science and technology innovation, invest in all American workers, and combat China through increased investments in emerging technologies. Senator Young is working to ensure the bipartisan legislation is included in this year’s National Defense Authorization Act. Last week, Senator Young spoke about the Endless Frontier Act during a speech on the Senate Floor.
“China is using the coronavirus pandemic to further its position in the world,”said Senator Young. “For China, the search to find treatments for coronavirus is not simply a race to stop the virus, but a race for bragging rights and global superiority.”
“If all of these trends continue, China’s overall investments in research and development will surpass our own within 10 years, just as their economy becomes larger than our own. We must keep pace with China, but we will not have a shot at this unless we invest in ourselves,” Senator Young continued.“Passing my Endless Frontier Act will provide that investment. It will prevent us from being outflanked. And it will propel innovation and position America to lead.”
The Endless Frontier Act proposes an expansion of the National Science Foundation (NSF), to be renamed the National Science and Technology Foundation (NTSF), and the establishment of a Technology Directorate within NTSF to advance technology in 10 critical focus areas. The newly-established Technology Directorate would receive $100 billion over five years to lead investment and research in artificial intelligence and machine learning; high performance computing; robotics, automation, and advanced manufacturing; and more. An additional $10 billion would be authorized to designate at least 10 regional technology hubs, awarding funds for comprehensive investment initiatives that position regions across the country to be global centers for the research, development, and manufacturing of key technologies.
Click here or on the image above to view Senator Young’s full remarks.