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Rep Anna Eshoo

Eshoo Calls for Prompt Action On The Innovation Agenda

April 27, 2007

April 24, 2007

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Rep. Anna G. Eshoo, who played a key early role in developing House Democrats' Innovation Agenda, called on the House to take prompt action this week to approve the first Agenda-related legislation of the 110th Congress.

"Our nation faces enormous competitive challenges in the 21st century and we cannot afford to ignore them," said Eshoo, D-Palo Alto. "The Innovation Agenda responds to these challenges by investing in our citizens and providing them with the tools to compete in an increasingly complex global economy.

"My constituents in Silicon Valley know that America's future depends on its leaderships in science, technology and other fields where innovative thinking is essential to making new discoveries and developing cutting-edge products," Eshoo said. "We owe it to future generations to take bold action now to make this future possible."

Eshoo, a member of the House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Telecommunications and the Internet, joined other senior House Democrats at a press conference on Tuesday to promote the adoption of the Agenda during the 110th Congress.

The Innovation Agenda: A Commitment to Competitiveness to Keep America #1 was first unveiled in November 2005 after House Democrats, led by then-House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi, held a series of roundtable discussions with business and academic leaders in technology hubs across the country. Eshoo organized and cohosted the first of these roundtables at Stanford University in her Congressional District on September 12, 2005.

The Innovation Agenda will:

  • Create a new generation of innovators: an educated, skilled workforce in the vital areas of science, math, engineering and information technology.
  • Make a sustained federal research and development commitment that promotes private sector innovation.
  • Spur affordable access to broadband technology.
  • Achieve energy independence, strengthen our national security, and protect our planet by developing emerging technologies for clean and sustainable alternatives.
  • Provide small business with the tools to encourage entrepreneurial innovation and job creation throughout our economy.

The first legislation from the Innovation Agenda will reach the House floor this week.

On Tuesday the House will consider bipartisan measures to increase the number of highly qualified math and science teachers in K-12 (H.R. 362) and to support young researchers to foster the most innovative scientific research (H.R. 363). A bipartisan measure (H.R. 1332) to make capital more accessible for small businesses, which are catalysts for technological innovation, will be on the House floor on Wednesday.

The House will consider additional legislation under the Innovation Agenda later this year, including measures to make America more energy independent and to promote universal broadband.

Read the Innovation Agenda Brochure.

Learn more about the Innovation Agenda.

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