ASBMB endorses the American Innovation Act
April 24, 2024
The American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology supports the bicameral American Innovation Act, introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives by Rep. Bill Foster, D-Ill., and in the U.S. Senate by Majority Whip Dick Durbin, D-Ill. If passed, this bill will appropriate and authorize expanded and sustained national investment in fundamental research at five federal science agencies.
Those five key science agencies provide foundational support to America’s thriving innovation pipeline. With vital investment from the federal government, the U.S. research enterprise will continue to flourish and strengthen America’s role as a leader in science and technology.
Basic science research has paved the way for important multiuse advancements — such as 3D printing technologies that are used to manufacture U.S. Air Force jet parts as well as personal protective equipment.
Without curiosity-driven, discovery-based research, there would be no data for applied science to build upon. In recent years, funding for basic research has lagged, with federal investments decreasing from 31% in 2010 to 21% in 2019.
If passed, the American Innovation Act will increase funding to the National Science Foundation, the Department of Energy’s Office of Science, the Department of Defense's science and technology programs, the National Institute of Standards and Technology, and NASA’s Science Mission Directorate by 5% every year to keep up with the growing U.S. bioeconomy and inflation.
In addition, the bill will exempt certain appropriations from sequestration, which would trigger harmful automatic cuts to these agencies.
The ASBMB endorses this legislation as it will ensure that the U.S. scientific enterprise is adequately funded and remains competitive.
Those five key science agencies provide foundational support to America’s thriving innovation pipeline. With vital investment from the federal government, the U.S. research enterprise will continue to flourish and strengthen America’s role as a leader in science and technology.
Basic science research has paved the way for important multiuse advancements — such as 3D printing technologies that are used to manufacture U.S. Air Force jet parts as well as personal protective equipment.
Without curiosity-driven, discovery-based research, there would be no data for applied science to build upon. In recent years, funding for basic research has lagged, with federal investments decreasing from 31% in 2010 to 21% in 2019.
If passed, the American Innovation Act will increase funding to the National Science Foundation, the Department of Energy’s Office of Science, the Department of Defense's science and technology programs, the National Institute of Standards and Technology, and NASA’s Science Mission Directorate by 5% every year to keep up with the growing U.S. bioeconomy and inflation.
In addition, the bill will exempt certain appropriations from sequestration, which would trigger harmful automatic cuts to these agencies.
The ASBMB endorses this legislation as it will ensure that the U.S. scientific enterprise is adequately funded and remains competitive.