[Congressional Record Volume 168, Number 152 (Wednesday, September 21, 2022)]
[Senate]
[Pages S4906-S4907]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]



                     Nomination of Arati Prabhakar

  Ms. CANTWELL. Madam President, I rise today to support the nomination 
of Dr. Arati Prabhakar to be the Director of the Office of Science and 
Technology. Since 1976, the Office of Science and Technology Policy has 
worked to ensure that the United States leads in science and 
technology, to promote STEM education, and to make sure that our 
science Agencies share the common purpose of benefiting all Americans.
  Dr. Prabhakar is very well qualified for this job. As an engineer, 
physicist, leader, venture capitalist, and pioneer, she has had a 
trailblazing career, accomplishing a lot in a time period where she was 
Director of the Defense Advanced Research Project Agency, DARPA, and 
the first woman to lead the National Institute of Standards and 
Technology, NIST.
  And under Dr. Prabhakar's leadership, DARPA kick-started the 
development of a rapid-response mRNA vaccine platform. This platform 
was the basis for the fast, safe, and effective COVID-19 development.
  Under her leadership at NIST, she worked to expand the Manufacturing 
Extension Partnership to boost the competitiveness of small- and 
medium-sized American manufacturers.
  Just last year, the Manufacturing Extension Partnership program 
helped our domestic manufacturers capture $3.9 billion in new sales. In 
my State alone, that translated into over $186 million and more than 
2,000 jobs created or retained.
  Perhaps even more impressive, back in the 1990s, when Dr. Prabhakar 
was just in her twenties, she helped launch DARPA programs that made 
essential leaps forward in semiconductor manufacturing technology. Dr. 
Prabhakar's programs laid the groundwork for five generations of chip 
manufacturing technologies to help demonstrate leadership right here in 
the United States.
  Dr. Prabhakar is now ready to lead again, and now we are asking for 
her to lead this important Agency. We have just passed the CHIPS and 
Science Act, which is a renewed commitment to domestic semiconductor 
research and manufacturing and U.S. leadership in the next generation 
chip technology.
  Dr. Prabhakar has the exact experience we need to advise the 
President on semiconductor manufacturing, on bringing the supply chain 
and security that we need here in the United States, and on continued 
growth in science and technology jobs that come along with it.
  The CHIPS and Science Act directs the National Science Foundation to 
invest in translational research, including through a new NSF tech 
directorate.
  Before her nomination, Dr. Prabhakar was an important voice in 
support of this effort of a tech directorate, reaching out to House and 
Senate colleagues and helping to shape the directorate in its focus on 
big national and security challenges.
  And the CHIPS and Science Act reflects our commitment to diversity in 
science, to make sure that the engineering, math, and STEM fields are 
included and that we continue to grow a workforce that is needed.
  The important aspect of science is not always thought of in every 
aspect of growing the next generation. That is why I am so encouraged 
that Dr.

[[Page S4907]]

Prabhakar is very committed to increasing the talent pool that we need 
in our country.
  For the first time in our country's history, the President has 
elevated the Office of Science and Technology Policy Director to a 
Cabinet-level post, meaning there will be a scientist in the room for 
our Nation's most important discussions.
  And for the first time in history, with the support of my colleagues 
here today, Dr. Prabhakar will be the first woman and person of color 
to serve as the Senate-confirmed OSTP Director.
  Dr. Prabhakar will have a lot to do, including developing the whole-
of-government science and technology strategies for issues ranging from 
security to commercial space exploration. And at a time of growing 
competition, OSTP needs to tell the President and advise our leaders 
what we need to do to maintain our competitiveness as a nation.
  I know, coming from an innovation State, how important the Office of 
Science and Technology Policy strategies can be in helping our Nation 
attract and keep the best and brightest and prioritize collaboration 
between academia and industry. And since Washington has been a STEM 
leader--in fact, I think we are the most STEM-focused State in the 
Nation; that is, by number of people involved in STEM----we know that 
this partnership between the existing workforce and the workforce of 
tomorrow needs to grow.
  I know that, as a former DARPA Director, Dr. Prabhakar will help us 
with this engine of innovation and growing STEM education in America. 
Moreover, I know that Dr. Prabhakar will, on many issues, help to 
improve the participation of women and girls in the issues of STEM.
  This is such a big, important issue for us today. But just being at 
the helm of the Office of Science and Technology Policy, being a woman, 
being there at the Cabinet level, and advising the President of the 
United States, I know she will help to deliver a message that young 
women all across America need to be involved in the sciences to help 
our Nation in the next phases of innovation. I am so excited that she 
will be in this position.
  I ask my colleagues to support her as a devoted, experienced, and 
exceptional public servant. These are the kinds of people who we need 
in government. These are the kinds of people who can make America 
stronger, safer, and more competitive. I urge my colleagues to support 
the confirmation of Dr. Prabhakar as the Director of the Office of 
Science and Technology Policy.
  I yield the floor.
  I suggest the absence of a quorum.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will call the roll.
  The legislative clerk proceeded to call the roll.
  Mr. MENENDEZ. Madam President, I ask unanimous consent that the order 
for the quorum call be rescinded.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.