The Bipartisan Research Agenda Background: In 2004-2005, Americans began petitioning their government for change. Industry, academia, and the scientific community issued reports like the National Academies' Rising Above the Gathering Storm and the Council on Competitiveness' Innovate America. As America's competitors moved rapidly to innovate and compete, the reports noted alarming trends in American education, declining investment in basic research in the physical sciences and engineering, and policies that hinder U.S. performance. It was time to act.
The Democrats Innovation Agenda and the American Competitiveness Initiative: In November 2005, then Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi unveiled an innovation agenda that included investment in basic research, training for math and science teachers, and assistance for students in technical fields. Shortly thereafter, President Bush released the American Competitiveness Initiative that included very similar priorities. To advance their agendas, the President and now-Speaker agreed to double funding over 10 years at the National Science Foundation, the Department of Energy Office of Science, and the National Institute of Standards and Technology.
The America COMPETES Act: Two bipartisan Senate teams and another in the House merged their legislative efforts to pass the America COMPETES Act. The House agreed to the measure by a 367-57 vote; the Senate approved 88-8. President Bush signed the bill in November 2007, but the Administration and Congress struggled to fully fund the Act or the doubling pledge in fiscal years 2007-2008.
President Obama's Commitment:Candidate Obama supported the bipartisan doubling pledge and has followed through as President in each of his budget proposals. Congress enacted the target levels for the first time in FY 2009. The 2009 recovery legislation also included science investments to spur short and long term job creation and to adress the some of the shortfalls of 2007 and 2008. Congress did not match the President's proposed levels in FY 2010, but still increased funding. The Task Force is tracking FY 2011 appropriations.
