Innovation Agenda

In December 2008, Rep. Holt hosted a roundtable discussion at Princeton University, along with Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Congressional leaders, and national leaders in the science and technology community to highlight the importance of innovation infrastructure to ensure long-term American competitiveness. The economic recovery bill, enacted in February 2009, includes $22 billion for science research and development.

The ideal project is one that keeps on giving, and that is exactly what scientific research does. The innovation and discoveries that come from research form the roots from which our economy grows and prospers. For too long, we have underinvested in science, and we will never know the resulting costs to our prosperity. But we know that science will be the foundation of our nation's future economic vitality. In his inaugural address, President Obama said, ``We will restore science to its rightful place.'' That place is at the very heart of our nation's progress. – Rush Holt

As a scientist, Rep. Holt believes that investing in innovation infrastructure – including physical sciences and energy research – is vital to a strategy for sustained, long-term economic growth. Rep. Holt has been a leader in Congress in establishing an innovation agenda, including passage of the America Competes Act, that invests in the research and development that creates jobs in the short term and drives economic growth in the long term.

In December 2008, Rep. Holt hosted a roundtable discussion at Princeton University, along with Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Congressional leaders, and national leaders in the science and technology community to highlight the importance of innovation infrastructure to ensure long-term American competitiveness. Two months later, the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act included a historic $22 billion investment in science research and development. A report by the Information Technology and Innovation Foundation determined that for each additional $1 billion invested in science in the economic recovery bill, 20,000 American jobs are created. These jobs go not just to scientists but to research assistants, electricians, technicians and construction workers.

As Recovery funding is distributed to research institutions – including Rutgers, Princeton, and the Princeton Plasma Physics Lab – investments can be tracked on ScienceWorksForUS.org. The site tracks where funding is going and features stories of those who are benefitting.

Rep. Holt continues to work with Congress and the Obama Administration to ensure that the government invests in science research and development.

On April 27, 2009, Rep. Holt attended President Obama’s speech to the National Academy of Sciences. There, Obama said, “Yes, scientific innovation offers us a chance to achieve prosperity.  It has offered us benefits that have improved our health and our lives -- improvements we take too easily for granted.  But it gives us something more.  At root, science forces us to reckon with the truth as best as we can ascertain it.”

Read President Obama’s speech here and Rep. Holt’s reaction to the speech here.

Additional Resources

Press Release: Holt Highlights Recovery-Funded Science R&D Investments  (11-17-09)

Press Release:Holt Leads Effort To Preserve Science Funding In Economic Recovery Bill  (2-11-09)

Press Release:Holt Highlights Science Funding in Economic Recovery and Reinvestment Bill  (1-15-09)

Press Release:Holt: Investing In Research And Innovation Can Sustain Long Term Economic Growth  (12-15-08)

Video:Science in the Recovery Bill (Floor Speech, 2-19-09)

Video: Science Research in the Federal Budget (Budget Committee Testimony, 3-11-09)

Op-ed:Science Projects Would Boost Ailing Economy Now (The Hill) (2-11-09)

Fact Sheet: Science in the Recovery Bill

Fact Sheet: America Competes Act

CRS Report: America COMPETES Act: Programs, Funding, and Selected Issues (2-17-09)