Bicameral Bill seeks to increase investment in emerging technologies to maintain U.S. science and technology leadership

Four lawmakers have proposed bicameral law to strengthen the US’s scientific and technological lead through increased investment in the development and commercialization of new technologies.

Senate Democratic Chairman Chuck Schumer (DN.Y.) and Senator Todd Young (R-Ind.) Introduced the bipartisan with representatives Ro Khanna (D-Calif.) And Mike Gallagher (R-Wis.) On Wednesday Endless Frontier Act. .

The move would change the name of the National Science Foundation to the National Science and Technology Foundation and create a technology directorate within the NSTF to advance research in 10 technical focus areas, including artificial intelligence and machine learning. High performance computing; Cybersecurity and data storage; and robotics, automation and advanced manufacturing.

The new directorate would receive US $ 100 billion over five years to fund research in 10 technical focus areas and would have program management, staff and contractors. The bill allows the agency to work with the Department of Commerce and other federal agencies to set up regional technology centers.

The proposed legislation would approve an additional $ 10 billion over five years to the Department of Commerce to allocate at least 10 regional technology centers to facilitate funding for investment programs.

“The coronavirus pandemic has shown that the scientific and technological divide between the US and the rest of the world is rapidly closing, putting our long-term health, economic competitiveness and national security at risk,” said Schumer. “To ensure our advantage, our law treats scientific research as a national security priority and offers significant new investment in funding critical research and development to build the industries of the future in regions across the country.”