The American Innovation and Competitiveness Act, which reauthorizes the America Creating Opportunities to Meaningfully Promote Excellence in Technology, Education, and Science (COMPETES) Act, would fund basic and applied research, commercialization of research, and STEM education; Klobuchar helped pass the America COMPETES Act of 2007, which increased support for math, science education, and new technology initiatives to provide students with the training and skills they need to compete in the global economy

 

The bipartisan reauthorization bill also includes Klobuchar’s provisions to cut red tape and allow researchers to spend less time on paperwork for procurement solicitations, require the Director of the National Science Foundation to consider recommendations from organizations representing underrepresented groups for the STEM Education Advisory Panel, and allow for research to better understand factors relevant to the retention of STEM teachers from underrepresented groups, including women and minorities    


WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar today announced that several of her key priorities in the reauthorization of the America Creating Opportunities to Meaningfully Promote Excellence in Technology, Education, and Science (COMPETES) Act passed the Senate Commerce Committee. The American Innovation and Competitiveness Act, which reauthorizes the America COMPETES Act, would fund basic and applied research, commercialization of research, and Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) education. Klobuchar helped pass the America COMPETES Act of 2007, which increased support for math, science education, and new technology initiatives to provide students with the training and skills they need to compete in the global economy. The bipartisan reauthorization bill also includes Klobuchar’s provisions to cut red tape and allow researchers to spend less time on paperwork for procurement solicitations, require the Director of the National Science Foundation to consider recommendations from organizations representing underrepresented groups for the STEM Education Advisory Panel, and allow for research to better understand factors relevant to the retention of STEM teachers from underrepresented groups, including women and minorities.

“Investment in research and in our brightest minds keeps America competitive. This bipartisan bill takes important steps to equip students with the skills and knowledge they need to succeed in the global economy,” said Klobuchar. “The bill also lessens the burden of paperwork for researchers and places a greater focus on understanding and ensuring the representation of underrepresented groups in STEM fields. As the bill now moves onto a vote in the full Senate, I will continue to push for policies that encourage innovation and strengthen our nation’s economy. ”

Klobuchar successfully included the following provisions in the bipartisan reauthorization bill:

  • To provide for an increased micro-purchase threshold for procurement solicitations by the National Science Foundation (NSF), National Institutes of Standard and Technology (NIST) and National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) grantees to a minimum of $10,000. This amendment cuts red tape and allows researchers to spend less time on paperwork while maintaining strong safeguards against waste and abuse.
  • To require that the Director of the National Science Foundation gives consideration to recommendations from organization representing groups underrepresented in STEM fields when selecting individuals for the STEM Education Advisory Panel.
  • To allow for research to be conducted under the Robert Noyce Teacher Scholarship program to better understand factors relevant to the retention of teachers from underrepresented groups, including women and minorities.

Klobuchar has been in a leader in the effort to develop a strong science and engineering workforce ready for the jobs of tomorrow. She was a strong supporter of the America COMPETES Act of 2007 and the reauthorization of the law in 2010. Klobuchar also introduced the Innovate America Act to promote innovation and increase America’s competitiveness in the global economy.

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