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Pelosi: Unveils Democrats’ Innovation Agenda, Part of Vision for a Stronger America“It is great to be back at the National Press Club, especially to present our Innovation Agenda: a Commitment to Competitiveness to Keep America Number One. “The “Imagine their vision. In establishing that new order, our founders broadened our horizons, expanded our country, and imagined a better world. They also recognized that it is the responsibility of each generation to make “It was in that tradition, and with the same confidence, imagination, and faith in the future, that President Kennedy challenged our nation to set our sights even higher than before. As he said in committing our nation to send a man to the moon, ‘The vows of this nation can only be fulfilled if we are first, and therefore, we intend to be first. Our leadership in science and in industry, our hopes for peace and security, our obligations to our selves as well as others, all require us to make this effort.’ “In answering that call to leadership in science and industry, “We promoted an entrepreneurial culture, creating the most powerful public private partnership that the world had ever seen by investing in long-term, high-risk ideas. All of these factors made The Challenge “Today, the world has changed dramatically – in ways that pose unprecedented challenges to our economic well-being. The underdeveloped countries of yesterday can become the formidable competitors of tomorrow… or even today. Those countries are following what has been the “As others have copied our blueprint, we have departed from it. They are investing heavily in improving their educational systems, and creating world-class universities, particularly in science and technology. We have fewer students studying math and science, and fewer qualified teachers of math and science than we need. We will graduate 70,000 engineers this year. “They are making a commitment to long-term research and development. We are allowing that commitment to falter. Our federal support of basic research peaked in 1987, and has been flat or falling ever since. They are utilizing cutting-edge technologies to propel themselves forward. “Democrats believe that together, “We held forums with these leaders in “In each of these forums, my colleagues and I were invigorated by the freshness of the participants’ thinking, and the depth of their commitment to the future. They took pride in the amazing history, power, and creativity of Democrats’ Innovation Agenda “Today, Democrats challenge Congress and the country to renew our commitment to the public-private partnerships that will secure “First, we recognize that in a globalized, knowledge-based economy, “Second, we recognize that independent scientific research provides the foundation for innovation and future technologies. Our agenda will double federal funding for basic research and development in the physical sciences, and promote the public-private partnerships that will translate new ideas into marketable technologies. For example, grants from the National Science Foundation have funded breakthroughs in everything from the Internet, to fiber optics, to nanotechnology. We commit to doubling this investment. In addition, we will create research “centers of excellence” across the country, and modernize and make permanent the R&D tax credit. These investments will allow us to pursue the long-term, trailblazing research that gives rise to new advances, spawns new industries, and creates good jobs. “Third, we recognize that the nationwide deployment of high speed, always-on broadband and Internet and mobile communications will fuel the development of millions of new jobs IN the United States. Our agenda guarantees that every American will have affordable access to broadband within five years. Universal broadband will propel advanced Internet applications, such as distance learning, health IT, video-on-demand, and Voice over IP. Universal broadband – whether it’s delivered by Wi-Fi or WiMAX, or hard line -- will put all Americans, no matter where they live, no more than a keystroke or a mouse click away from the jobs and opportunity that broadband both creates and supports. As one young technology leader told us in our meeting – ‘If you think you’ve seen what broadband can do, you ain’t seen nothing yet.’ “Fourth, we recognize that only innovation and technology can lead “Our goal is energy independence, and we intend to achieve it within ten years. “Fifth, Democrats recognize the need to create a competitive small business environment for innovation. The evolution of an idea to a small business, and then ultimately to an entrepreneurial success, has been the spark for the technological revolution in our country and will be the key to continued job growth in the future. Therefore, our agenda calls for affordable health insurance, small business financial support and technical assistance, and reduced regulation. Essential to our pre-eminence is the protection of intellectual property. Our agenda commits to protecting the intellectual property of American innovators worldwide. “These commitments, taken together, represent a Democratic decision in favor of the future. “There will be those who say that we can’t afford to make these investments – in education, in research, in broadband, in energy independence, and in small business success. Democrats believe we can’t afford not to make them. We have no choice. These are critical priorities for our nation. We intend to submit them to the rigors of pay-as-you-go budgeting, so they will not add to the deficit, but instead will grow our economy. “We know that “You’ll see that our agenda sets within five years as that goal. But the energy, imagination, and I say with admiration disruptive, thinking of Together, “Our innovation agenda is a challenge to the country and the Congress to drive those forces for change. Our innovation agenda is part of our vision for a stronger “Because of the spirit, optimism, and ingenuity, of the American people, Democrats believe that together, “In the words of President Kennedy – ‘We intend to be first.’” * * * THE INNOVATION AGENDA The talent, intellect, and entrepreneurial spirit of the American people have made this nation the leader in economic and technological advancements. House Democrats believe American leadership is fueled by national investments in an educated and skilled workforce, groundbreaking federal research and development by public and private sectors, and a steadfast commitment to being the most competitive and innovative nation in the world. We must make the decision now to ensure that House Democrats are proud to present a bold INNOVATION AGENDA: A COMMITMENT TO COMPETITIVENESS TO KEEP AMERICA #1 to: Create an educated, skilled workforce in the vital areas of science, math, engineering, and information technology; Invest in a sustained federal research and development initiative that promotes public-private partnerships; Guarantee affordable access to broadband technology for all Americans; Achieve energy independence in 10 years by developing emerging technologies for clean and sustainable alternatives that will strengthen national security and protect the environment; and, Provide small businesses with the tools to encourage entrepreneurial innovation and job creation. The future prosperity and competitiveness of House Democrats believe the American people have always excelled at leading the world. With this bold agenda, our nation will continue to be the world leader in education, innovation, and economic growth. A NEW GENERATION OF INNOVATORS To achieve this goal, Democrats will: Educate 100,000 new scientists, engineers, and mathematicians in the next four years by proposing a new initiative, working with states, businesses, and universities, to provide scholarships to qualified students who commit to working in the fields of innovation. Place a highly qualified teacher in every math and science K-12 classroom by offering upfront tuition assistance to talented undergraduates and by paying competitive salaries to established teachers working in the fields of math and science; institute a “call to action” to professional engineers and scientists, including those who have retired, to join the ranks of our nation’s teachers. Create a special visa for the best and brightest international doctoral and postdoctoral scholars in science, technology, engineering and mathematics. Make college tuition tax-deductible for students studying math, science, technology, and engineering. A SUSTAINED COMMITMENT TO RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT Independent scientific research provides the foundation for innovation and future technologies. But To achieve this goal, Democrats will: Double overall funding for the National Science Foundation, basic research in the physical sciences across all agencies, and collaborative research partnerships; restore the basic, long-term research agenda at the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) to conduct long-range, high-risk, and high-reward research. Create regional Centers of Excellence for basic research that will attract the best minds and top researchers to develop far-reaching technological innovations and new industries, and modernize existing federal and academic research facilities. Modernize and permanently extend a globally competitive R&D tax credit to increase domestic investment, create more AFFORDABLE BROADBAND ACCESS FOR EVERY AMERICAN WITHIN FIVE YEARS Nationwide deployment of high speed, always-on broadband Internet and mobile communications will fuel the development of millions of new jobs in the Democrats will ensure that the To achieve this goal, Democrats will: Implement a national broadband policy that doubles federal funding to promote broadband for all Americans, especially in rural and underserved communities; create new avenues of Internet access including wireless broadband technologies, broadband over power lines, and affordable community-based options. Ensure the continued growth of Internet-based services and provide a stable regulatory framework to attract investment by existing providers and new entrants. Enact a broadband tax credit for telecommunications companies that deploy broadband in rural and underserved parts of ENERGY To achieve this goal, Democrats will: Substantially reduce the use of petroleum based fuels by rapidly expanding production and distribution of synthetic and bio-based fuels, such as ethanol derived from cellulosic sources, and by deploying new engine technologies for fuel-flexible, hybrid, plug-in hybrid and biodiesel vehicles. Create a new DARPA-like initiative within the Department of Energy to provide seed money for fundamental research needed to develop high-risk, high-reward technologies and build markets for the next generation of revolutionary energy technologies, such as those emerging from biotechnology, nanotechnology, solar, and fuel-cell research. A COMPETITIVE SMALL BUSINESS ENVIRONMENT FOR INNOVATION Small businesses are the catalysts for technological innovation. The evolution from idea to marketable product, guided by a successful small business plan, has led to entrepreneurial successes that have fueled our technological revolution and will be the key to continued job growth in the future. Yet small businesses face significant hurdles, both regulatory and market-based, that thwart the effort to transform ideas into jobs. Removing these hurdles is a key component of this Innovation Agenda. To achieve this goal, Democrats will: Bridge the “valley of death” that destroys innovative ideas before they become marketable products due to lack of financing and technical support by doubling funding for the Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP) and the Advanced Technology Program (ATP), modernizing the Small Business Innovation Research Program (SBIR), and fully funding SBA 7(a) loans to ensure that American small businesses have the resources and technical assistance they need to successfully innovate. Reward risk-taking and entrepreneurship by promoting broad-based stock options for rank-and-file employees. Protect the intellectual property of American innovators worldwide, strengthen the patent system, and end the diversion of patent fees. Require specifically-tailored guidelines for small public companies to ensure Sarbanes-Oxley requirements are not overly burdensome. Provide universal, affordable access to health insurance, beginning with a 50 percent tax credit and multi-insurer pools to help small businesses provide affordable and comprehensive health care coverage for their employees. # # #
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“ Democrats are united in presenting a New Direction for America, one that will make our nation as strong as its people, one that brings opportunity, security, and prosperity to all Americans. ” Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi |
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