NEW TECH BILL

A group of bipartisan lawmakers led by Senate Minority Leader Charles Schumer (D-N.Y.) introduced legislation Wednesday to boost research into emerging technology including artificial intelligence and quantum computing.

The Endless Frontiers Act would create a Directorate of Technology at the National Science Foundation (NSF), and would rename the NSF the National Science and Technology Foundation.

The new directorate would be given $100 billion over five years to invest in American science and technology research, with specific research areas including cybersecurity, robotics, AI, quantum computing, national disaster prevention and biotechnologies.

In addition, the Department of Commerce would be given $10 billion over five years to establish “regional technology hubs” across the nation.

Schumer said Wednesday that the COVID-19 pandemic had highlighted the need to fund science and technology research at higher levels.

“The coronavirus pandemic has shown the science and technology gap between the United States and the rest of the world is closing fast and that threatens our long-term health, economic competitiveness, and national security,” Schumer said in a statement. “America cannot afford to continue our decades-long underinvestment and expect to lead the world in advanced scientific and technological research.”

Senator Todd Young (R-Ind.) is a co-sponsor in the Senate, while Reps. Ro Khanna (D-Calif.) and Mike Gallagher (R-Wis.) are sponsors of the bill in the House.