Mike Honda: “this motion to recommit with instructions would amend the bill by adding an authorization of the Advanced Technology…”

“this motion to recommit with instructions would amend the bill by adding an authorization of the Advanced Technology Program within the National Institute of Standards and Technology at a level of $140 million for fiscal year 2006. The Advanced Technology Program partners with industry by providing funds for early-stage technologies that are viewed to be too technically risky or too nascent by private funding sources. It is one of the Federal Government's best means of promoting risk- taking and promoting the pursuit of new technology that go well beyond the limits of conventional practices. Experts agree that these are key elements for maintaining American manufacturing competitiveness in the future. The opponents of this motion have claimed that ATP does not belong in a manufacturing bill, but the evidence shows that it does. In 43 peer reviewed ATP competitions, 39 percent of the awards have involved development of advanced manufacturing technologies. At a June 2003 Committee on Science hearing on manufacturing R&D, the witnesses were unanimous in their belief that ATP was an important element to improving the U.S. manufacturing infrastructure and competitiveness. Supporters of H.R. 250 have mentioned that the bill is supported by the National Association of Manufacturers.…”