To help U.S. companies maintain a "competitive edge" in the global economy, Bush says he has proposed doubling federal funding for research in areas such as nanotechnology, supercomputing and alternative energy sources.
WASHINGTON — President Bush urged the Senate Saturday to follow the House and approve funding for science research that is a staple of his proposal to boost American competitiveness.
To help U.S. companies maintain a "competitive edge" in the global economy, Bush says he has proposed doubling federal funding for research in areas such as nanotechnology, supercomputing and alternative energy sources.
Fresh from a trip to Illinois where he visited Cabot Microelectronics in Aurora Friday, Bush again pressed for more focus on math and science education to provide skills for "the jobs of tomorrow."
The House has approved a fiscal 2007 spending bill that would fully fund basic scientific research in Bush's "American Competitiveness Initiative." The increased funding is intended to be the first down payment in a 10-year doubling of the research funds.
Under the bill, which must be approved by the Senate, National Science Foundation funds for research and related activities would total nearly $4.7 billion in the fiscal year starting on Oct. 1, about $334 million above current funding.
"I urge the Senate to follow the House's lead, so America can remain an innovative nation that competes with confidence," Bush said in his weekly radio address.
Revamping the Social Security retirement program was one of Bush's top domestic agenda items at the start of his second term, but it met resistance within his Republican Party and from the public.
In the Democratic radio address, Iowa congressional candidate Bruce Braley criticized the Republican approach to overhauling Social Security.
"This November, voters face a clear choice. If you want to privatize Social Security, vote Republican. If you want to protect Social Security, vote Democratic," he said, according to excerpts.
Democrats are trying to revive the controversial issue before the November congressional elections in which they are seeking to wrest control of Congress from Republicans.
Source: Reuters
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