DeLay: Spurring Innovation, Driving the Economy; House Passes Innovation Plank of 21st Century Careers Agenda

7/9/2004

From: Stuart Roy or Jonathan Grella, 202-225-4000 both of the House Majority Leader Tom DeLay

WASHINGTON, July 9 -- House Majority Leader Tom DeLay (R-Texas) today said research and development are twin engines of our economy as the House passed the innovation plank of the House Republicans' Careers for a 21st Century America agenda.

"This week, the Republican Congress reaffirmed its commitment to job creation, small business development, and the creative, entrepreneurial spirit of the American people," DeLay said. "Spurring innovation means promoting the creative driving engine of our economy -- research and development."

The primary legislative component of the spurring innovation plank is the Manufacturing Technology Competitiveness Act, which passed the House today. This legislation extends programs that work directly with local manufacturers to help them improve manufacturing processes, train workers, improve business practices, and apply information technology to their companies.

"We can't hope to lead the 21st century like we led the 20th if companies feel compelled to hire more lawyers and accountants than scientists and engineers," DeLay said. "It's very simple -- promoting research and development leads to stronger businesses, more jobs, and better careers for all Americans."

The Careers for a 21st Century America agenda includes much- needed reforms to the regulatory and tax systems as the House dedicates eight legislative weeks to increasing America's global competitiveness. The House has addressed five of the eight aspects of the economy so far, including health care security, bureaucratic red tape termination, lifelong learning, energy self sufficiency and security, and spurring innovation. In the coming weeks, the House will also take up trade fairness and opportunity, tax relief and simplification, and ending lawsuit abuse.