WASHINGTON, D.C. – This week, Representative Mike Garcia (CA-25) signed on as an original co-sponsor of the Securing American Leadership in Science and Technology Act (SALSTA). The bill would create a long-term strategy for investment in basic research and infrastructure to protect both the economic and national security of the United States. SALSTA would double funding for basic research over the next ten years.

“It is imperative that we invest in American innovation in science and technology if we want to remain a leader on the global stage and maintain our national security,” said Garcia. “If we do not double-down on our efforts to support basic and early-stage research, the Chinese Communist Party will take the lead – an unacceptable outcome. Not only does this bill help us maintain our national security as well as our leadership on the global stage, but it will help us expand our clean energy technologies that would reduce emissions and keep energy prices low. I am proud to support this bill that would support innovation, reduce emissions, grow our economy, and help us remain a strong and secure nation.”

The SALSTA bill would prioritize critical research areas for global leadership in industries such as quantum science, artificial intelligence, supercomputing, advanced material and manufacturing, and cybersecurity. It would also expand our STEM workforce and enhance the American talent pipeline.

SALSTA would: 

·     Double basic research over 10 years. 

·     Invest in science and technology to drive the development of cleaner, more efficient, low-cost, advanced energy like advanced nuclear, battery storage, and carbon capture technologies.

·     Prioritize critical research areas to establish global leadership in industries of the future like quantum science, artificial intelligence, supercomputing, advanced materials and manufacturing, and cybersecurity. 

·     Expand our STEM workforce and enhance the American talent pipeline.

·     Invest in the infrastructure needed to maintain world-class research facilities.

·     Protect American research from foreign theft.

View a fact sheet on SALSTA here.

View a legislative summary of SALSTA.

View the full legislative text of SALSTA.