Democrats take next steps on 'Innovation Agenda'
REP. MILLER, HOUSE DEMOCRATS TAKE NEXT STEPS ON ‘INNOVATION AGENDA’
WASHINGTON – Following up on their commitment to make major investments in America’s long-term economic competitiveness, Rep. George Miller (D-CA), House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and other House Democrats today announced the next steps in the ‘Innovation Agenda’ that they first unveiled nearly two years ago.
Miller, as chairman of the House Democratic Policy Committee, worked with his colleagues when Democrats were in the minority to develop a bold initiative called the Innovation Agenda, the goal of which is to ensure that America remains the most competitive and productive economy in the world. The Agenda was favorably received when it was first unveiled at a series of roundtable discussions across the country that Democrats held with business leaders, academics, and others.
Since then, Democrats won the majority in Congress and are now pushing ‘innovation’ legislative, beginning with three bills on the House floor this week. At a press conference on Capitol Hill this morning, Miller, who is also chairman of the House Education and Labor Committee, issued the following statement.
“America is still the number one economy in the world, and we can keep that leadership. But we can only do so with a level of determination and commitment that we have not shown in almost half a century. Other countries are making aggressive investments in a competitive workforce. We must exceed those efforts.
“That is why – nearly two years ago – then-Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi laid down a challenge to Congress and the President to invest in innovation in order to create vibrant industries, a strong economy, and good jobs here at home. Now, with Speaker Pelosi at the Helm and Democrats determining the agenda before Congress, we are acting on that challenge.
“Working with leaders from the hi-tech and bio-tech industries, venture capitalists, and academics, Democrats laid out a plan to boost America's competitiveness. We made it clear to the American people we take this challenge seriously. This week, we are taking the next steps on our commitment. This is about the future. This is about strengthening America’s middle class with good jobs that we will keep here at home.
“Our legislation this week represents the first step in a continuing effort to promote innovation and competitiveness. This work will go on in the coming months in many committees in the Congress. Some of them are represented here today.
“In the Education and Labor Committee, we are working to create a new generation of innovators by ensuring that today’s students are taught to high academic standards and receive the workplace skills that are necessary to prepare them as scientists, engineers, and mathematicians in a global high-tech economy. Specifically, we are committed to:
· Educate 100,000 new innovators in the next five years. We propose a new public-private partnership with the business community and higher education institutions to produce well-qualified, highly-skilled workers by establishing Congressional Science fellowships and interdisciplinary Master’s programs in science, engineering, and math that include specialized training and internships with business partners, and loan forgiveness options.
· Place a highly qualified teacher in math, science, and technology K-12 classrooms by offering upfront tuition assistance to talented undergraduates majoring in math, science or engineering who agree to teach in a high needs school and by partnering community colleges with four year institutions to improve the teacher pipeline.
· Enhance the ability of states to coordinate education and workforce goals, identify the challenges of recruiting students and retaining them in innovative fields, and develop collaborative solutions through statewide coalitions of education, business, and community leaders, such as P-16+ Councils.
· Make college more affordable for all students by cutting the interest rates on student loans and increasing the Pell Grant award.
“America’s entrepreneurial, innovative spirit is one of the key reasons for our strength in the world today. If we match that spirit to these substantial investments, our economy will stay strong for generations to come. I look forward to continuing to press forward with the Innovation Agenda and make sure that America stays No. 1 in the world.”
The three bills on the House floor this week are: H.R. 362, to increase the number of highly qualified math and science teachers in K-12, H.R. 363, to support young researchers to foster the most innovative scientific research, and H.R. 1332, to make capital more accessible for small businesses, which are catalysts for technological innovation.
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