Washington, D.C. – On Tuesday, House Democrats unveiled the text of the America Creating Opportunities for Manufacturing, Pre-Eminence in Technology and Economic Strength Act of 2022 (America COMPETES Act), which includes several pieces of Congresswoman Deborah Ross’ (NC-02) legislation that will support institutions and the innovation happening in the Research Triangle. This bill would make historic investments to advance production of American-made semiconductors, tackle supply chain vulnerabilities to make more goods in America, and turbocharge America’s scientific research and technological leadership.

“Our nation has long been a global leader in science and technology, buoyed by companies and universities like those in the Research Triangle performing cutting-edge research every day,” said Congresswoman Ross. “However, maintaining this position requires significant investment and cooperation across the government and private sector. That is why I am pleased the America COMPETES Act includes several of my bipartisan bills to fund technology research activities, facilitate public-private partnerships to grow clean energy tech, support the production of semiconductors, and much more. I look forward to working with my fellow lawmakers and President Biden to see this pivotal bill signed into law.”

Included in the package are three bills and two amendments authored by Congresswoman Ross:

• Energizing Technology Transfer Act, bipartisan legislation to facilitate the commercial application of clean energy tech by universities and private companies.
• National Science & Technology Strategy Act, bipartisan legislation that directs the Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP) to develop a comprehensive national science and technology strategy and identify future needs, barriers, and opportunities for U.S. science and tech.
• NSF Technology Research Institutes Act, bipartisan legislation to create a National Science Foundation (NSF) grant program to fund technology research activities, including conducting fundamental and experimental research, commercializing innovative technology, creating computational models, and establishing traineeship programs for graduate students.
• Innovations in STEM Education at Community Colleges, an amendment to the NSF for the Future Act co-authored with Rep. Gwen Moore (D-WI) that directs NSF to award grants to institutions of higher education to advance research on the nature of learning and teaching at community colleges and to improve outcomes for students who enter the workforce upon completion of their STEM degree or credential or transfer to 4-year institutions.
• Software Supply Chain Cybersecurity, an amendment to the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) for the Future Act that requires NIST to develop security practices to enable software developers and operators to identify, assess, and manage cyber risks over the full lifestyle of software products, and to share technical expertise with federal agencies, industry stakeholders, and standards development organizations.

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