WASHINGTON, D.C.—The U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation held a Science and Space Subcommittee hearing today on investing in federal R&D.

Witness List:

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

The Honorable Patrick D. Gallagher, Under Secretary of Commerce for Standards and Technology, U.S. Department of Commerce

The Honorable Subra Suresh, Director, National Science Foundation

Dr. Waleed Abdalati, Chief Scientist, NASA

Key Quotations from Today’s Hearing:

“America’s expertise in science, technology and innovation has made us a leader in the global economy. But our role as a global leader is being challenged, and we need to be smart about how to maintain our competitive edge. Countries like China and India are devoting far more resources into research and development. They are finding new ways to use technology to deliver cleaner energy, cleaner water, cleaner air and more economic opportunity. I think in some ways we have become too comfortable in our previous success. Our future depends on the investments we make to keep this nation competitive. Without a strong, bold and daring vision, we risk falling behind.”

Chairman John D. (Jay) Rockefeller IV

“President Obama understands that our ability to meet the grand challenges before us is intimately dependent on robust research and development; superior science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) education; and 21st century transportation, telecommunications, and energy infrastructure. His 2012 Budget provides strategic investments in these domains while also streamlining aspects of the federal government and responding responsibly to the deficit. At a difficult time in America’s history, the President’s 2012 Budget proposes to invest intelligently in innovation, education, and infrastructure today to generate the industries, jobs, and environmental and national security benefits of tomorrow. Obviously, we need the continued support of the Congress to get it done.”

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

“Manufacturers perform half of all research and development in the U.S., and they employ 17 percent of the nation’s scientists and engineers. U.S. industry faces relentless competition that has trimmed the nation’s share of global manufacturing output from 25 percent in 2000 to about 20 percent today. The revitalization of the U.S. manufacturing base is critical to driving innovation and job creation in the future and will play a major role in building an economy that can help raise the standard of living for all Americans. By sustaining our investments in fundamental research, we can ensure that America remains at the forefront of scientific capability, thereby enhancing our ability to shape and improve our nation’s future and that of the world around us.”

The Honorable Patrick D. Gallagher, Under Secretary of Commerce for Standards and Technology, U.S. Department of Commerce

“The mission of NSF is to sustain excellence [in science and engineering research and education] as we continue to lead the way for the important discoveries and cutting-edge technologies that will help keep our Nation globally competitive, prosperous, and secure. Robust NSF investments in fundamental science and engineering have paid enormous dividends, improving the lives and livelihoods of generations of Americans. NSF’s strategic investment in research and education will help the nation meet the challenges of our times and move beyond them. We will capitalize on many promising areas of investigation where new discoveries can help establish U.S. leadership in next generation technologies, and we will invest in transformational work, new fields, and novel theoretical paradigms to fuel the innovations of the future.”

The Honorable Subra Suresh, Director, National Science Foundation

“Maintaining our status as the world’s leader in innovation, education, science and technology is directly linked to our ability as a nation to push the frontiers of human understanding in innovative and transformational ways. NASA science contributes directly and substantially to current national priorities. There is tremendous value to understanding how and why our planet is changing and what the future Earth will look like. There is economic value; there is humanitarian value; there is political value, and there is value for ensuring our security. NASA Science inspires and serves humankind in ways that are truly unique and in ways that are critical for ensuring that we as a society not only survive, but thrive, in whatever future the human race carves out for itself.”

Dr. Waleed Abdalati, Chief Scientist, NASA

###