WASHINGTON, D.C.—Chairman John D. (Jay) Rockefeller IV released the following statement today after Commerce Secretary John Bryson unveiled the findings of the Department’s COMPETES report.  The report was mandated as part of the America COMPETES Reauthorization Act of 2010, which was introduced by Chairman Rockefeller and signed into law last year.

“We need solutions to America’s economic competitiveness problems and this report is a good first step,” Rockefeller said.  “Underinvestment in sectors like STEM education, high-tech research, and 21^st century infrastructure has diminished the nation’s competitive edge.  Sustained federal investment in these sectors will not just help grow today’s economy, but it will also lay the groundwork for generations to come.”

The original COMPETES Act was a response to the National Academies’ Rising Above The Gathering Storm, which warned that America’s place as a global leader in science and technology is at risk.  The America COMPETES Reauthorization Act of 2010 focuses on three primary areas of importance to increase American innovation and competitiveness: (1) increasing science and research investments, (2) strengthening science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) education, and (3) developing an innovation infrastructure.

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