May 13, 2010
WASHINGTON, DC – House Majority Whip James E. Clyburn today released the following statement after House Republicans blocked passage of HR 5116 the America COMPETES Reauthorization Act—job-creating legislation that invests in American manufacturing modernization, spurs American innovation through investment in scientific research and strengthens math and science education to prepare students for jobs of the 21stCentury.
“Today House Republicans put special interests and political ambition before the interests of America’s students, small businesses and manufacturers with a Trojan horse amendment that guts the COMPETES Act.
“Last Congress, when this job-creating innovation legislation was enacted, Republicans unanimously supported its passage, and 143 Republicans voted to send the conference report to the President to make the bill law. This year, the COMPETES Reauthorization Act passed the Science and Technology committee by a strong bipartisan vote of 29 to 8. Over 750 organizations have endorsed the bill, including: U.S. Chamber of Commerce, the National Association of Manufacturers, the Information Technology Industry Council, the American Chemical Society, and the Business Roundtable.
“What happened to its passage on the floor? House Republicans saw an opportunity in an election year to play political gotcha. But cynical games won’t keep us from bringing the bill back to the floor. Democrats are interested in creating American jobs at home and keeping our nation the world’s leader in research and development. I hope my colleagues on the other side of the aisle will put aside the political ploys and support this job-creating bill they backed so strongly in the past.”