Senate Passes and Prioritization of U.S. Innovation and Competition Act
The U.S. Senate has passed the U.S. Innovation and Competition Act (S. 1260), which significantly increases investment in research and development, education and training, supply chain security and the broader U.S. innovation ecosystem.
The U.S. Innovation and Competition Act — formerly the Endless Frontier Act — was introduced by Senate Majority Leader Schumer (D-N.Y.) and Sen. Todd Young (R-Ind.). The bill aims to strengthen U.S. leadership in critical technologies through research in key focus areas including artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning, high-performance computing, advanced computer hardware and software and robotics. Additionally, prior to passing in the Senate, the bill was amended to include “data storage, data management, distributed ledger technologies and cybersecurity, including biometrics” as key focus areas, an addition supported by SIA and proposed by Sens. Roy Blunt (R-Mo.), Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii) and Deb Fischer (R-Neb.).