Congress reneging, failing to fulfill promises of America COMPETES Act of 2007

Earlier this year the President signed the America COMPETES Act into law.  This is important legislation in the battle to remove obstacles to innovation advancement as it responds to the recommendations made in the National Academies’ “Rising Above the Gathering Storm” report, the Council on Competitiveness’ “Innovate America” report, and the NVCA’s MAGNET initiative.  The Act focuses on three primary areas 1) funding for R&D; 2) improving education in math, science, technology, and engineering; and 3) developing an innovation infrastructure.  Although the Act was made law with the President’s signature, Congress is still fighting over the annual budget and it is uncertain whether or not these critically important programs will get fully-funded as promised.  We need the folks in Congress to remember that this was bipartisan legislation with broad support, recognize that these programs are crucial to maintaining America’s innovation economy, do the right thing, and the appropriate the required funding.