FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE April 18, 2006

CONTACT: Brendan Daly/Jennifer Crider 202-226-7616

Pelosi: Bush Must Move Beyond Speeches With a Real Commitment and Investment in Innovation

San Francisco – House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi released the following statement today on competitiveness, which President Bush will be speaking about this afternoon.  A summary of the Democrats’ Innovation Agenda follows.

“Last year, House Democrats launched our Innovation Agenda: A Commitment to Competitiveness to Keep America #1.   Many of the President Bush’s ideas on competitiveness are similar to the proposals in Democrats’ Innovation Agenda.

“It is critical President Bush move beyond words and speeches with a real commitment and investment in innovation, and we must do it now.  Nothing less is at stake than America’s economic leadership.

“More than two months ago, I called on President Bush to hold a bipartisan meeting of Congressional leaders to advance this high priority agenda for our country.  For America to be number one, timing is everything – it is past time to get to work and pass an innovation agenda.”

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The Democrats’ Innovation Agenda challenged the President and the Congress to unleash the next generation of discovery, invention, and growth and secure America’s continued leadership in innovation.  The Innovation Agenda would:

·        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 within 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.

To see House Democrats’ Innovation Agenda, click here: http://www.housedemocrats.gov/news/librarydetail.cfm?library_content_id=557

“ 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