Today, I am very pleased to announce that the House of Representatives passed the America Competes Act, with my strong support. This bill includes scholarships to students majoring in science, math, or engineering in order to increase the number of math and science teachers in our nation. This legislation also included measures that will provide extensive higher education teacher training through math, science, and technology college preparatory courses. In addition, this bill provides grants to scientists and engineers at the early stage of their careers at both higher education institutions and research organizations. And last, but certainly not least, this bill doubles the authorized spending for the Manufacturing Extension Partnership, or MEP, over the next ten years. This program is essential to the survival and growth of our country’s small and medium sized manufacturers.
America must continue to be a strong economic leader. Today, I am proud to have supported legislation that will ensure that we are leaders in the fields of math, science, and engineering. America has always been a leader in technology and innovation and that is why we must support education and research in these critical fields. The America Competes Act will allow America to continue the advancement of technology to compete with the realities of the global economy.
