Dear Friend of ASTRA:
WHAT HAS HAPPENED
The full U.S. House of Representatives passed the America COMPETES Reauthorization Act of 2010 on Friday, May 28. The final vote was 262-150 and it followed two "near death" experiences for the measure during May. In the end, 17 Republicans joined with 245 Democrats in supporting the bill, which now goes on to the U.S. Senate for consideration.
The bill would provide authorization (not the actual appropriation) for about $85.6 billion in new investments in the National Science Foundation, the Department of Energy's Office of Science, and the Department of Commerce's National Institute of Standards & Technology over a five-year period.
Between May 7 and May 28, at least 15,102 direct contacts were made by our "Friends of ASTRA" with Members of the U.S. House and their offices. We wish to thank you for your outstanding support for this critical measure during a very difficult period. Your support did make a difference - but our work has just begun.
It is now time for us to show our bipartisan support for this bill as the U.S. Senate moves closer to debating it. The Senate is expected to begin action on this measure very soon. For this reason, we are asking all Friends of ASTRA who support the measure to sign our Petition in Support of the America COMPETES Reauthorization Act of 2010 immediately. You may sign either as an individual citizen, or as a representative of an organization or business, etc. - it's your choice.
Please review our content and materials which provide facts-based advocacy materials for this position at www.usinnovation.org and www.aboutastra.org
RECAP OF WHY WE SUPPORT COMPETES:
The COMPETES Reauthorization Act is a bill that lays the basis for sustained funding increases in our nation's often neglected science, engineering and technology resources. For more details about what this bill would do for the nation's science, engineering and technology infrastructure and workforce, see www.usinnovation.org/files/AmericaCOMPETESReauthorizationActof2010-HR5116asreported.pdf
ACTIONS REQUESTED IMMEDIATELY:
1 - Please sign the joint TechAmerica / ASTRA Petition in Support of the America COMPETES Act of 2010 immediately. Just click here to do so: http://www.usinnovation.org/petition/sign_petition.asp - or go directly to www.usinnovation.org
2. Please contact your two Senators. One easy way to do so is for you to send an E-mail or just telephone your Senators' offices in Washington, D.C. Follow the instructions provided by this link, and you will be connected to either of your Senators' offices: www.senate.gov/general/contact_information/senators_cfm.cfm
3. Urge Congress to maintain its long-standing bipartisan support for science and engineering R&D funding. It's a matter of highest national priority.
4. Please thank any members of the U.S. House in both parties who supported the measure. Here is a list of the record vote on May 28, with some interesting breakdowns by geography: www.usinnovation.org/files/AmericaCOMPETESfinalvote52810.pdf
PLEASE SEND THIS MESSAGE ON TO OTHERS:
This message has been sent to approximately 45,000 scientists, engineers, researchers, professors, university employees, students, teachers, technology workers, policy makers, small business owners, entrepreneurs, researchers, individuals and others on our "Friends" list. An estimated 175,000 people will receive this message, and we urge you to send it on to any friends, associates, and family members who may share our interest in passing this critically important measure...
Thank You!
Phil Bond, President & CEO
TechAmerica
Former Undersecretary of Commerce for Technology
2001 - 2005
Dr. Mary L. Good, Chairman
ASTRA
Former Undersecretary of Commerce for Technology
1993 - 1996
