Congress OKs math, science bill

WASHINGTON — Congress on Thursday approved broad legislation to promote math and science skills and develop the technology needed to compete in the global economy.

The House-Senate compromise combines elements of five bills already passed by the House creating programs to encourage people to study and teach math and science, support high-risk technology research and increase funds for the National Science Foundation and other science-based agencies.

The House vote was 367-57. The Senate approved the America Competes Act on a voice vote.

The bill now goes to the White House for President Bush's signature.

The bill calls for spending $33.6 billion over the next three years for science, technology, engineering and mathematics research and education programs across four federal agencies.

"It's going to help us regain and maintain leadership in research, innovation and technology," said House Science Committee Chairman Bart Gordon, D-Tenn ., noting that with half the people in the world earning less than $2 a day, Americans can compete only by performing at a higher level.

"America is in trouble" in science and in education, said Rep. Vernon Ehlers, R-Mich., a research physicist. "China and India recognized 20 years ago that the future belonged to nations that educated their children in math and science."

The bill aims to double research programs at the NSF, the National Institute of Standards and Technology and the Energy Department office of science over the seven years.

It expands NSF programs to enhance undergraduate education for future scientists and engineers and approves new grant programs to combine college degrees in math and science with teacher certification.

NASA is brought in as a full participant in interagency efforts to promote competitiveness and innovation.

It also authorizes competitive grants to increase the number of teachers serving high-need schools and expand access to advanced placement and international baccalaureate classes.

The legislation supports programs at the Department of Energy and the National Institute of Standards and Technology to fund or engage in high-risk, high-reward energy research and pre-competitive technology development with potential for public benefit.

"We're going to get in there and we're going to find those areas that are new technologies that are going to bump our ability to create renewable energy in this country," Gordon said.

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The bill is H.R. 2272

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