New Democrats Call for Funding of Innovation Infrastructure in the Stimulus

Washington, DC - Today, leaders of the New Democrat Coalition, the largest coalition of moderate Democrats in the House, called for significant investment in innovation infrastructure as part of an economic stimulus package.

The leaders emphasized the need for several measures that would:

• Free up capital for stalled Research & Development through tax incentives;
• Implement Healthcare Information Technology (HIT) to reduce healthcare costs and provide savings for patients and businesses;
• Promote green energy technologies and jobs that will reduce our dangerous dependence on Mid East oil and help put Americans back to work; and
• Spur the deployment and utilization of high-speed broadband access.

"The American economy has always been based on our ability to innovate. By restoring our capital markets and putting the power of government investment behind American innovation, we can pave a path forward that ensures U.S. workers and businesses are the most competitive in the world," said Rep. Ellen Tauscher (CA-10), Chair of the New Democrat Coalition.

"Innovation infrastructure is a cornerstone of the New Dem agenda and I am energized to continue our great work with a Democratic President and an expanded majority in the House and Senate. Investing in innovation infrastructure is one of the best tools for our nation to turn around some of the most challenging problems of our generation," said Rep. Joe Crowley (NY-07), NewDem Whip.

The NewDems have long been leaders on the economy and technological innovation. In the 110th Congress, the group joined House Leadership to unveil the innovation agenda. While Congress was successful in approving a substantial portion of this agenda, including Coalition priorities such as the America COMPETES Act of 2007 (Public Law 110-69) to help educate Americans to compete for the best jobs in the 21st Century, additional funding for these priorities is sorely needed. New Democrats believe a steadfast commitment to forward-thinking policies on economic growth and innovation initiatives is necessary in order to keep America as the most competitive and innovative nation in the world.

"Any economic recovery package must focus both on restoring market and consumer confidence right away, as well as making investments that will see a return in the long run," said Rep. Ron Kind (WI-03). "Innovation Agenda programs are designed to build a new economy and educate the workforce to fill the jobs of the future. I can think of no better way to use economic stimulus funds than to create long-term economic stability through an investment in education and innovation."

"Any new stimulus package must not only address our short term economic troubles, it must also ensure our long term economic viability. By investing in innovation infrastructure projects - such as high-speed broadband access, healthcare information technology and green technologies and jobs - we can create

both an immediate economic impact by putting people back to work, and lay the necessary groundwork for long term economic growth," said Rep. Adam Smith (WA-09).

"Our nation's economic recovery requires stimulus that is forward thinking and will ensure that American employers are competitive in the global market," said Rep. Melissa Bean (IL-08).

"To meet the enormous economic challenges facing us we must think broadly and innovatively about what "infrastructure" means. Turning around our economy means we have to take serious steps toward healthcare reform, and that means we must start now, with the economic recovery proposal, to make a serious investment in the technology and infrastructure necessary to support innovation and a new approach to healthcare," said Rep. Allyson Schwartz (PA-13).

The New Democrat Coalition, always leaders on the economy and innovation, is committed to enacting policies that maintain U.S. competitiveness, meet the challenges posed by globalization in the 21st Century and strengthen our national security. The NewDems are dedicated to providing the leadership necessary to implement policies that will ensure America rebuilds its prosperity and global leadership.

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