ACM’s Cameron Wilson has the scoop on the USACM Technology Policy Blog about some potentially troubling signs ahead for the President’s new American Competitiveness Initiative. Cameron focuses on the reaction of newly-elected House Majority Leader John Boehner (R-OH) to a Democratic “innovation” event on the Hill today. Boehner disparaged the event and, more importantly, the Democratic innovation agenda — a fact that’s troubling because, well, it’s really quite similar to the President’s proposal. Cameron’s got all the details.
There are, of course, other hurdles/speedbumps/large potholes in the ACI’s road to enactment. There’s the fact that the life sciences community is upset that NIH’s budget would be held flat under the President’s plan. There’s also some tension with the NASA folks, which could prove tricky in the Senate as the Chair of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee for Commerce, Science and Justice, Richard Shelby (R-AL), is an avowed NASA supporter. Then there’s the congressional earmarking process, the annual fight about NIST’s ATP and MEP programs, and other fights over the rise in discretionary spending generally. In short, it’s still quite the battle ahead. We’ll try to keep you informed….