[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 123 (Wednesday, September 27, 2006)]
[Senate]
[Page S10224]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




            NATIONAL COMPETITIVENESS INVESTMENT ACT OF 2006

  Mr. FRIST. Mr. President, I wish to comment briefly on another issue, 
the National Competitiveness Investment Act of 2006, a bill that was 
introduced yesterday with bipartisan sponsorship--myself and Senator 
Reid--a bill that focuses on our global competitiveness by focusing on 
education, by focusing on the resources we should be investing right 
here at home to make sure we are globally competitive with nations such 
as China and India. If we don't act, our Nation is going to lose our 
competitive edge.
  The United States today has the strongest scientific and 
technological enterprise in the world, including the best universities 
and the best corporations investing in research. But there is growing 
evidence and recognition that our educational system is failing to 
equip our young people and older people today to compete in this 
increasingly global economy. We are failing in the very areas that have 
in the past underpinned our strength, in areas such as mathematics, 
science, and engineering.
  We are going to have to invest in the future in those specific areas 
if we are going to preserve our competitive edge, what has made this 
country great, as we have competed with other nations around the world. 
We are in a 21st century global economy which depends on mathematics, 
science, and technology. Those are the foundations. They are the engine 
to create that economic security for the next generation.
  Two years ago, the Senate Energy Committee asked the National 
Academies to identify policies that would enable the United States to 
successfully compete and prosper. The National Competitiveness 
Investment Act of 2006, a bipartisan bill we introduced yesterday, 
incorporates the recommendations made by the National Academies and a 
number of other very similar studies that have been produced over the 
last 2 to 3 years.
  The bill reflects the bipartisan leadership of many Senators, 
including those of the three major Senate committees responsible--
Energy, Commerce, and the HELP Committee.
  In these few moments, I wish to comment on what this bill does 
because it is important for people to understand how we invest and 
where we invest to improve that global competitiveness in this 21st 
century economy.
  The bill doubles our investment for basic Federal research over the 
next 5 years at the National Science Foundation and increases 
investment for basic research at NASA and other science-related 
agencies.
  It creates a new teachers institute to improve teaching techniques--
how we teach math and science--focusing on education, on teachers who 
are responsible for putting forth that knowledge.
  It creates a DARPA-modeled advanced research projects agency at the 
Department of Energy dedicated to the goal of increasing innovation and 
competitiveness breakthroughs in technology.
  It expands scholarship programs that are aimed to recruit and train 
math and science teachers--teachers who really need to focus on the K-
12 area.
  It encourages more students, more high school students, to take 
advanced placement courses and enter the international baccalaureate 
programs.
  It will take an increased investment. Over the next 5 years, our 
economy will exceed $76 trillion--$76 trillion is how big our economy 
will grow. A 1-percent investment for the future is really a small 
price to pay for that continued security and leadership in the world.
  I did not have the opportunity to speak to this bill yesterday when 
it was introduced. I encourage our colleagues to join the bipartisan 
leadership--again, myself and Senator Reid who are sponsors of this 
legislation.
  Mr. President, I yield the floor. I suggest the absence of a quorum.
  The PRESIDENT pro tempore. The clerk will call the roll.
  The legislative clerk proceeded to call the roll.
  Mrs. BOXER. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the order for 
the quorum call be rescinded.
  The PRESIDENT pro tempore. Without objection, it is so ordered.
  The Senator from Vermont is recognized.

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