America COMPETES Act

America COMPETES Act is a federal law that aims to promote United States competitiveness in the global market by investing in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) education and research and development. The law was enacted to address concerns about the declining competitiveness of the United States in the global economy, as highlighted by reports from the National Academy of Sciences and the National Academy of Engineering. The America COMPETES Act was influenced by the work of Norman Augustine, Ralph Cicerone, and Charles Vest, who served on the National Academy of Sciences committee that produced the report Rising Above the Gathering Storm. The law also drew on recommendations from the Council on Competitiveness, which included CEOs from major United States corporations such as IBM, Microsoft, and Google.

Introduction

The America COMPETES Act was introduced in the United States House of Representatives by Bart Gordon and in the United States Senate by Ted Kennedy and Joe Lieberman. The law was designed to improve the competitiveness of the United States by investing in STEM education and research and development, with a focus on innovation and entrepreneurship. The law was influenced by the work of Vannevar Bush, who played a key role in the development of the United States science policy during World War II. The America COMPETES Act also drew on recommendations from the National Science Foundation (NSF), which included Arden Bement, Rita Colwell, and Subra Suresh. The law was supported by a range of organizations, including the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS), the National Academy of Sciences, and the Business Roundtable.

Legislative History

The America COMPETES Act was passed by the United States House of Representatives on May 23, 2007, and by the United States Senate on July 20, 2007. The law was signed by George W. Bush on August 9, 2007. The legislative process involved input from a range of stakeholders, including John McCain, Barack Obama, and Hillary Clinton, who all served on the United States Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. The law was also influenced by the work of Ernest Moniz, who served as the United States Secretary of Energy under Barack Obama. The America COMPETES Act was part of a broader effort to improve the competitiveness of the United States, which included the work of the President's Council of Advisors on Science and Technology (PCAST), chaired by John Holdren and Eric Lander.

Provisions

The America COMPETES Act includes a range of provisions designed to improve the competitiveness of the United States. These provisions include investments in STEM education, research and development, and innovation initiatives, such as the Advanced Research Projects Agency-Energy (ARPA-E) and the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST). The law also includes provisions to support small business and entrepreneurship, such as the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) programs. The America COMPETES Act was influenced by the work of Mary Good, who served as the Under Secretary of Commerce for Technology under Bill Clinton. The law also drew on recommendations from the National Science Board, which included Ray Bowen, Steven Beering, and Diana Natalicio.

Reauthorization

The America COMPETES Act was reauthorized in 2010, with the passage of the America COMPETES Reauthorization Act. The reauthorization included new provisions to support STEM education and research and development, as well as initiatives to improve the commercialization of research and innovation. The reauthorization was supported by a range of organizations, including the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS), the National Academy of Sciences, and the Business Roundtable. The America COMPETES Reauthorization Act was influenced by the work of Rush Holt, who served as the Chairman of the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology. The law also drew on recommendations from the National Science Foundation (NSF), which included Subra Suresh, Corinne Peek-Asa, and France Córdova.

Impact and Criticism

The America COMPETES Act has had a significant impact on the competitiveness of the United States, with investments in STEM education and research and development leading to improvements in innovation and entrepreneurship. However, the law has also been subject to criticism, with some arguing that it does not do enough to address the underlying issues facing the United States economy. The law has been supported by a range of organizations, including the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS), the National Academy of Sciences, and the Business Roundtable. The America COMPETES Act has also been influenced by the work of Neal Lane, who served as the Director of the National Science Foundation under Bill Clinton. The law has drawn on recommendations from the President's Council of Advisors on Science and Technology (PCAST), chaired by John Holdren and Eric Lander.

Amendments and Updates

The America COMPETES Act has undergone several amendments and updates since its passage in 2007. These amendments have included the America COMPETES Reauthorization Act of 2010, as well as subsequent updates and revisions. The law has been influenced by the work of John Holdren, who served as the Director of the Office of Science and Technology Policy under Barack Obama. The America COMPETES Act has also drawn on recommendations from the National Science Foundation (NSF), which included France Córdova, Corinne Peek-Asa, and Maria Zuber. The law has been supported by a range of organizations, including the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS), the National Academy of Sciences, and the Business Roundtable. The America COMPETES Act continues to play an important role in promoting the competitiveness of the United States, with ongoing investments in STEM education and research and development. Category:United States federal legislation