Recent efforts to enhance U.S. innovation include President Bush's "American Competitiveness Initiative"; the Senate's bipartisan "Protecting America's Competitive Edge" package; Sens. John Ensign's (R-Nev.) and Joseph Lieberman's (D-Conn.) "National Innovation Act"; and House Democrats' "Innovation Agenda." House Republicans are also expected to introduce comprehensive innovation and competitiveness legislation this week.
Each of these initiatives are designed to spur America's global economic competitiveness by enhancing science, engineering and technology research and development, boosting math and science education, and providing incentives for technological innovation.
"We strongly encourage Congress to capitalize on the momentum and exceptional bipartisan consensus on this important issue," Wyndrum wrote. "For the good of country, we urge leaders in both parties of the House and Senate to work together, and with the administration, to pass legislation during this session of Congress to preserve America's competitive edge in the global arena."
The letter is available at http://www.ieeeusa.org/policy/policy/2006/021406.pdf.
IEEE-USA advances the public good and promotes the careers and public policy interests of more than 220,000 engineers, scientists and allied professionals who are U.S. members of the IEEE. IEEE-USA is part of the IEEE, the world's largest technical professional society with 360,000 members in 150 countries. For more information, go to http://www.ieeeusa.org.