WASHINGTON, D.C. - The U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation held a full committee hearing today on Advancing American Innovation and Competitiveness.

**LINK TO VIDEO OF CHAIRMAN ROCKEFELLER OPENING REMARKS HERE**

Witness List:

The Honorable John P. Holdren, Director, Office of Science and Technology Policy

The Honorable Arden L. Bement, Jr., Director, National Science Foundation

The Honorable Patrick D. Gallagher, Director, National Institute of Standards and Technology

Dr. Robert D. Braun, Chief Technologist, National Aeronautics and Space Administration

Key Quotations from Today’s Hearing:

“Science-based innovation drives enormous economic growth and helps America compete in the global economy. For centuries, innovation has made this country a global economic leader, from the steam engine driving the Industrial Revolution to computers and networks powering the Internet Revolution. But we cannot take that leadership for granted and we need to redouble our efforts to make sure we never lose ground. At a time when the economy continues to struggle, our future depends on the investments we make today to keep our nation competitive and ensure our communities’ long-term economic security and prosperity.”

Chairman John D. (Jay) Rockefeller IV

“We must remain committed to keeping America a global technological leader. Science, technology, engineering and mathematics are the seed corn that drives our economy.”

Senator Bill Nelson, Chairman, U.S. Senate Subcommittee on Science and Space

“We can do better. America still can, and indeed must, be an innovation machine. Clearly, however, technological and economic superiority is not our birthright. It is something that in the past we have earned—earned as a result of smart investments in fundamental science and targeted investments in the next big things—and it is something we must get serious about earning again, so we can continue to lead the world in the next round of modernization and creativity…”

The Honorable John P. Holdren, Director, Office of Science and Technology Policy

“Despite some of the more pessimistic forecasts of some observers, I believe that America can continue to be on the leading edge of ideas and research. Through strong federal leadership, we can maintain the standing of our businesses and universities. We must not only maintain our position, we must actively seek to increase our strengths: leadership in fundamental discovery, including high-risk, high-reward transformational research, state-of-the-art facilities and infrastructure, and a world-class S&E workforce. With a firm commitment to these fundamental building blocks of our high-tech economy, we can solidify America’s role as the world leader in innovation.”

The Honorable Arden L. Bement, Jr., Director, National Science Foundation

“The federal government has an important role, but it is not the only player. States and local governments are essential government partners and play a critical role in establishing the right technology ? ‘ecosystem’ for innovation to flourish. Programs carried out under COMPETES should support these roles and create incentives for effective partnerships with state and local governments.”

The Honorable Patrick D. Gallagher, Director, National Institute of Standards and Technology

“Our nation has made great progress throughout its history by innovating solutions to the enormously difficult challenges it has encountered. The grand challenge to build an intercontinental railway, or to land a man on the Moon and return him safely to the Earth, not only utilized our best talent, but also created new technologies and innovations. These achievements also inspired generations to pursue challenging goals, created new industries, and ultimately improved our country and the world. Similar opportunities are in front of us now.”

Dr. Robert D. Braun, Chief Technologist, National Aeronautics and Space Administration

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