American Innovation and Competitiveness Act Signed into Law
January 9, 2017
WASHINGTON – U.S. Sen. John Thune (R-S.D.), chairman of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, and Rep. Lamar Smith (R-Texas), chairman of the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology, issued the following statements on the enactment of S. 3084, the American Innovation and Competitiveness Act (AICA).
“This bill is a victory for science and economic competitiveness,” said Thune. “I applaud my colleagues in the House and Senate who worked across party lines to thoughtfully develop this bill and advance it into law.”
“This important piece of legislation was the last bill passed in the 114th Congress, and is the result of a four-year effort to strengthen and reform agencies and programs that administer basic research” said Smith. “AICA increases U.S. competitiveness while creating jobs for hardworking Americans and will help to spur new businesses and industries. On the whole, Americans will see improved accountability and transparency with a reduction in administrative burden on researchers as a result of this legislative effort. It has been an honor to help shepherd this bill across the finish line, and to see this meaningful legislation signed into law.”
The legislation, which includes a substitute amendment reflecting common priorities of the House Science, Space, and Technology Committee and the Senate Commerce Committee, encourages scientific entrepreneurship, maximizes research opportunities, reduces administrative burdens for researchers, and promotes oversight of taxpayer-funded research. It also enhances diversity in STEM fields, private-sector innovation, and manufacturing.
Click here for bill text.
Click here to view a summary of the legislation provided by Sens. Gardner and Peters, the original sponsors in the Senate
“This bill is a victory for science and economic competitiveness,” said Thune. “I applaud my colleagues in the House and Senate who worked across party lines to thoughtfully develop this bill and advance it into law.”
“This important piece of legislation was the last bill passed in the 114th Congress, and is the result of a four-year effort to strengthen and reform agencies and programs that administer basic research” said Smith. “AICA increases U.S. competitiveness while creating jobs for hardworking Americans and will help to spur new businesses and industries. On the whole, Americans will see improved accountability and transparency with a reduction in administrative burden on researchers as a result of this legislative effort. It has been an honor to help shepherd this bill across the finish line, and to see this meaningful legislation signed into law.”
The legislation, which includes a substitute amendment reflecting common priorities of the House Science, Space, and Technology Committee and the Senate Commerce Committee, encourages scientific entrepreneurship, maximizes research opportunities, reduces administrative burdens for researchers, and promotes oversight of taxpayer-funded research. It also enhances diversity in STEM fields, private-sector innovation, and manufacturing.
Click here for bill text.
Click here to view a summary of the legislation provided by Sens. Gardner and Peters, the original sponsors in the Senate
