99 Words Forward

As you read this, Congress just wrapped up the final, frantic days before August Recess. If you've worked on the Hill, you know the routine.  Conferees are selected, trade media hovers. Chinese takeout or pizza is ordered. Roundtables are convened. Hill staffers earned their pay last week, that's for sure.  

Sometimes, a bill even gets through.

One bill that practically couldn't get through Congress fast enough — the America COMPETES (Creating Opportunities to Meaningfully Promote Excellence in Technology, Education, and Science) Act, which made it out of conference and through both houses with provisions TIA strongly supports — is fairly long and sets out a modest innovation agenda full of good ideas. The America COMPETES Act as a whole strengthens teacher training and education in science, technology, engineering and math; funds basic and interdisciplinary research; establishes new innovation incentives; and supports strategic efforts to build curriculums and research for the service sector, which accounts for 80 percent of the U.S. economy.

But there's one bit, about 99 words worth, that I'm really excited about.  I think it's the part TIA members can look to as a sign we're convincing Congress that we manufacturers have what it takes to keep America's innovation agenda at the top. In 99 words, Congress gives us its trust.

Section 7024(1) of the bill — the not-quite-hundred words in question — authorizes the Director of the National Science Foundation (NSF) to administer a grant program for basic research into advanced information and communications technologies through NSF. Such grants will enable U.S. manufacturers, many of which are TIA members, to roll out robust R&D programs while staying competitive in the global marketplace. The estimated $200 million in grant money is intended to fund research in several areas — all of which connect to broadband deployment, security and improvements.

With these 99 words, Congress took the first step toward the technological revolution we need to create to stay ahead.  

Problems of all stripes are easy to identify.  It's the solutions that require determination and hard work.

The better we comunicate with one another, the better we'll be at getting those solutions.

These 99 words are the first step on getting that communication part down.  On this one, we can say well done, Congress.  That's serving the people.

Thank you,
Grant Seiffert
TIA President
Telecommunications Industry Association