Cantwell on Senate Floor: Our nation needs devoted, experienced and exceptional public servants like Dr. Prabhakar to ensure that our research and development investments make America stronger, safer, and more competitive

U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.), Chair of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, praised Dr. Arati Prabhakar, President Biden’s nominee to be director of the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP), ahead of today’s Senate confirmation vote. In remarks on the Senate floor last night, Sen. Cantwell underscored Dr. Prabhakar’s exceptional qualifications, experience and commitment to advancing innovation in science and technology and to expanding STEM education and opportunities for women and girls.

“We have just passed the CHIPS and Science Act, which is a renewed commitment to domestic semiconductor research and manufacturing U.S. leadership in the next-generation chips technology,” Sen. Cantwell said. “Dr. Prabhakar has the exact experience we need to advise the President on semiconductor manufacturing, on bringing the supply chain security that we need here in the United States, and on continued growth in science and technology jobs that come along with it.”

Sen. Cantwell on the Senate Floor urging support for Dr. Prabhakar’s nomination

“I know coming from an innovation state how important the Office of Science and Technology Policy strategies can be in helping our nation attract and keep the best and brightest and prioritize collaboration between academia and industry,” Sen. Cantwell continued. “And since Washington has been a STEM leader…we know that this partnership between the existing workforce and the workforce of tomorrow needs to grow. This is such a big important issue for us today, but just being at the helm of the Office of Science and Technology Policy, being a woman, being there at the cabinet level, advising the President of the United States, I know [Dr. Prabhakar] will help deliver a message that young women all across America need to be involved in the sciences to help our nation in the next phases of innovation.

“Our nation needs devoted, experienced, and exceptional public servants like Dr. Prabhakar to ensure that our research and development investments make America stronger, safer, and more competitive,” she added.

Dr. Arati Prabhakar during her Senate nomination hearing

President Biden nominated Dr. Prabhakar on June 21, 2022, the Commerce Committee held her nomination hearing on July 20 and the Committee approved her nomination on July 28. The director will serve as the President’s Chief Advisor for Science and Technology, a co-chair of the President’s Council of Advisors on Science and Technology, and a member of the President’s Cabinet.

Senator Cantwell’s floor speech video is available here and transcript here.