United States Innovation and Competition Act

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U.S. Innovation and Competition Act
Great Seal of the United States
Long titleTo establish a new Directorate for Technology and Innovation in the National Science Foundation, to establish a regional technology hub program, to require a strategy and report on economic security, science, research, innovation, manufacturing, and job creation, to establish a critical supply chain resiliency program, and for other purposes.
Enacted bythe 117th United States Congress
Announced inthe 117th United States Congress
Number of co-sponsors13
Legislative history

The United States Innovation and Competition Act of 2021 (USICA), formerly known as the Endless Frontier Act, is United States legislation sponsored by Senators Chuck Schumer (D-NY) and Todd Young (R-IN) authorizing $110 billion for basic and advanced technology research over a five year period. Investment in basic and advanced research, commercialization, and education and training programs in artificial intelligence, semiconductors, quantum computing, advanced communications, biotechnology and advanced energy, amounts to $100 billion. Over $10 billion was authorized for appropriation to designate ten regional technology hubs and create a supply chain crisis-response program.[1] The act is aimed at competing with China[2] and to respond to US fears of an AI Cold War.[3]

Legislative history[]

Before the full Senate vote, some Republican lawmakers such as Marco Rubio called for provisions that would prevent the allocation of grants to companies with financial ties to the People's Republic of China.[4] Rubio's amendment to limit the Director of National Intelligence from issuing grants to companies invested in the People's Republic of China was tabled 55-40.[5] On June 8, 2021, the USICA passed 68-32 in the Senate with bipartisan support.[6]

Congress Short title Bill number(s) Date introduced Sponsor(s) # of cosponsors Latest status
116th Congress Endless Frontier Act of 2020 H.R. 6978 May 22, 2020 Ro Khanna

(D-CA)

12 Died in Committee
S.3832 May 21, 2020 Chuck Schumer

(D-NY)

7 Died in Committee
117th Congress Endless Frontier Act of 2021 H.R.2731 April 21, 2021 Ro Khanna

(D-CA)

22 Referred to Committees of Jurisdiction.
United States Innovation and Competition Act of 2021 S.1260 April 20, 2021 Chuck Schumer

(D-NY)

13 Passed in the Senate (68-32).[7]

Chinese government response[]

On June 9, 2021, the Chinese government criticized the bill as "full of Cold War mentality and ideological prejudice".[8] Beijing has promised to retaliate if the bill passes Congress.[9]

In November 2021, some U.S. executives received letters from China's embassy in Washington, D.C., which pressed U.S. businesses to lobby, in possible violation of the Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA), members of the Congress to alter or drop specific bills that seek to enhance U.S. competitiveness. The Chinese embassy explicitly asked companies to oppose the USICA and the Eagle Act, and warned that if the legislation passed, U.S. companies would risk losing market shares or revenues in China.[10][11]

See also[]

References[]

  1. ^ Rattigan, Kathryn M. (April 15, 2021). "The Endless Frontier Act: Shifting the Focus from Defense to Offense". National Law Review, Volume XI, Number 105. Archived from the original on 13 May 2021. Retrieved 13 May 2021.
  2. ^ Andrew Desiderio. "Senate advances a rare bipartisan deal on countering China". POLITICO. Archived from the original on 2021-06-10. Retrieved 2021-06-10.
  3. ^ Ni, Vincent (9 June 2021). "China denounces US Senate's $250bn move to boost tech and manufacturing". The Guardian. Retrieved 5 July 2021.
  4. ^ Martina, Michael; Shepardson, David (13 May 2021). "U.S. Senate panel approves tech bill to address China". Reuters. Archived from the original on 13 May 2021. Retrieved 13 May 2021.
  5. ^ Rubio, Marco (2021-05-27). "S.Amdt.1802 to S.Amdt.1527 to S.Amdt.1502 to S.1260 - 117th Congress (2021-2022) - Amendment Text". www.congress.gov. Archived from the original on 2021-06-10. Retrieved 2021-06-10.
  6. ^ Basu, Zachary (June 8, 2021). "Senate passes sweeping China competition bill in rare bipartisan vote". Axios. Archived from the original on June 8, 2021. Retrieved June 8, 2021.
  7. ^ Geske, Dawn (2021-06-09). "$52B Chip Bill Passes Senate In 'Competition To Win' Against China". International Business Times. Archived from the original on 2021-06-23. Retrieved 2021-06-23.
  8. ^ Haltiwanger, John. "China blasts US bill aimed at challenging its growing global influence as 'full of Cold War mentality'". Business Insider. Archived from the original on June 9, 2021. Retrieved June 10, 2021.
  9. ^ KINE, PHELIM; BADE, GAVIN (November 28, 2021). "China blowback looms for Schumer's Innovation and Competition Act". Politico. Retrieved November 29, 2021.
  10. ^ "Beijing urges US businesses to lobby against China-related bills in Congress". The Guardian. 12 November 2021. Retrieved November 13, 2021.
  11. ^ "EXCLUSIVE Chinese embassy lobbies U.S. business to oppose China bills -sources". Reuters. Retrieved 14 November 2021.

External links[]

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