On the recordFebruary 4, 2015
President Obama's budget proposal for fiscal year 2016 lays out a fiscally responsible plan to invest in our future and makes sure that hardworking Americans are able to benefit from an economy that is finally improving. I am particularly pleased that the President is committed to making strategic investments in our Nation's research and development. The budget invests $146 billion for R&D across the Federal Government, which is a 6 percent increase. The budget provides for $7 billion in clean energy funding throughout the Federal Government and $2.4 billion to further advance manufacturing technologies. This funding improves our scientific knowledge, creates technologies with widespread benefits, and strengthens U.S.-global competitiveness. The budget also makes investments in public health, including $31 billion for the National Institutes of Health, which is a $1 billion increase over the 2015 level, and $1.2 billion across several agencies to combat antibiotic resistant bacteria, for advanced precision medicine, and for targeted therapies for patients. I mention all of these, Mr. Speaker, because I do believe--and every evidence shows--that research investment creates jobs, promotes innovation, and increases economic development. That means more jobs. I hope that the Republicans will support the President's budget. ____________________
