Assuring U.S. Global Competitiveness in Science, Technology and Commerce

The U.S. Congress is making important legislative strides to advance U.S. competitiveness globally. A key legislative proposal the Senate and House are working to reconcile is the U.S. Innovation and Competition Act (USICA) of 2021. This legislation proposes substantial increases to U.S. science and technology investment and the creation of a new technology directorate for the National Science Foundation. Several steps toward that reconciliation were taken by the House of Represenatives with their passage by wide margins of the National Science Foundation (NSF) for the Future Act, and the Department of Energy Science for the Future Act. The two House bills align with some of the main goals of the Senate USICA bill for science and technology investment, for U.S. innovation competitiveness globally in view of advances made by China, and in providing increased funding and emphasis for U.S. Science Technology Engineering and Math (STEM) education. With members of Congress from both sides of the aisle proposing legislation to bolster U.S. investment in technology and innovation, it is more important than ever to consider just how these investments factor into U.S. global competitiveness.

CSIS is pleased to host a conversation about the future of U.S. competitiveness in science, technology and innovation with a leader of the House considering these issues. Opening remarks will be provided by Dr. Sujai Shivakumar, Senior Fellow and Director of the Renewing American Innovation Project. We are delighted to have Representative Haley Stevens share her insights in this dialogue.  Representative Stevens has been a national champion for U.S. competitiveness. She currently serves on the House Science, Space and Technology Committee as Chairwoman, the House Subcommittee on Research & Technology, and as Co-Chair of the House Future of Work Task Force.

This event was made possible through general support to CSIS.