Today, the House Science, Space, and Technology passed two landmark bills to double down on federal investment in American research and development. The bills significantly increase funding for the National Science Foundation (NSF) and the Department of Energy (DOE) Office of Science.
Together, the NSF for the Future Act and the DOE Science for the Future Act provide a comprehensive and strategic approach to scaling up American research and development to ensure our future competitiveness.
As amended, the NSF for the Future Act reauthorizes NSF’s work, providing $78 billion over the next five years and doubling down on basic research with a focus on emerging technologies like artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, and advanced manufacturing. It strengthens our domestic science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) workforce and protects research from foreign theft. Additionally, the bill creates a new NSF directorate dedicated to improving how we apply discoveries in the lab to solving pressing national challenges from cybersecurity to climate change.
The DOE Science for the Future Act is the first reauthorization of the Office of Science, and it invests nearly $50 billion over five years to scale up next-generation energy technologies like bioenergy, carbon capture, and battery storage. It invests in upgrades to the facilities and equipment that our scientists and National Labs use to conduct complex research. It also improves our quantum computing abilities, helps address public health challenges, and builds our STEM workforce.
“America’s scientific and technological competitiveness has been my highest priority as Ranking Member of this Committee,” Ranking Member Frank Lucas said. “If we want to stay ahead of the curve and outcompete adversaries like the Chinese Communist Party, we must redouble our commitment to federal R&D. The NSF for the Future Act and DOE Science for the Future Act make strong investments in American research and provide strategic blueprints for our scientific success. It’s gratifying to see that there is now momentum on both sides of the aisle in the House and Senate for legislation to secure our global science and technology leadership. I look forward to working with my colleagues to move these bills forward.”
READ MORE:
Ranking Member Frank Lucas Opening Statement at Markup of H.R. 2225 and H.R. 2593
Ranking Member Frank Lucas Statement on NSF for the Future Act
Research & Technology Subcommittee Ranking Member Michael Waltz Statement on NSF for the Future Act
Ranking Member Frank Lucas Statement on DOE Science for the Future Act
Energy Subcommittee Ranking Member Randy Weber Statement on the DOE Science for the Future Act