WASHINGTON – The Science Coalition (TSC) today issued the following statement as Congress continues to negotiate legislation to invest in the nation’s infrastructure:
“The research enterprise is the backbone of the U.S. economy. Federal investment in fundamental research fuels innovation and job growth and provides an unparalleled return on taxpayer investment. Since research and innovation impact almost every aspect of daily life, we appreciate proposals, including the bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA), to provide significant investment in the people, programs, and infrastructure that will ensure U.S. research prowess,” said TSC President John Latini. “TSC’s Sparking Economic Growth report outlines how the rewards reaped from a well-funded research enterprise extend far beyond the research itself, from supporting local communities to building the next generation of STEM talent. For example, just 53 companies that have spun out from TSC universities contributed $1.3 billion to the economy and supported nearly 100,000 jobs. As discussions around both a reconciliation package and IIJA continue, we urge Congress to advance the funding for research, infrastructure, and related programs necessary to equip our nation with the tools needed to catalyze future innovation and ensure our economic vitality.”
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About the Science Coalition
Established in 1994, The Science Coalition is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization of more than 50 of the nation’s leading public and private research universities. It is dedicated to sustaining the federal government’s investment in basic scientific research as a means to stimulate the economy, spur innovation, and drive America’s global competitiveness.