Linda Sánchez Statement on GOP Spending Bill (Feb. 16 2011)
Washington, D.C. – Today, Congresswoman Linda T. Sánchez (CA-39) joined Democratic Whip Steny Hoyer (D-MD), Congresswoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D-FL), and Congressman Keith Ellison (D-MN) at a press conference to address the potentially devastating consequences the Republican Spending Bill will have on the country's ability to out-innovate and out-build our global competitors.
"There is no question that the number one priority of this Congress should be jobs. And we should be creating jobs in this country, not watching helplessly as they continue to go overseas--jobs that we are losing to countries who understand the need to invest in the future. We can't expect to be competitive in a global economy if we don't prioritize American innovation.
"Innovation is the key to keeping America the world's economic leader. President Obama hit it right on the head: we must "out-innovate" the rest of the world.
"Our economy is at a critical juncture. We can choose to make investments that encourage innovation and grow our economy. Or we can choose to ignore our most pressing needs, and continue to watch other countries create the world's jobs.
"There is no doubt that fat can be trimmed from our budget. But, what Republicans are willing to cut will cost our children their chance at a secure job and a future.
"Republicans want to cut $2.5 billion from the National Institutes of Health budget. They want to cut $1.4 billion in science and energy research towards clean energy. They want to cut 20,000 researchers supported by the National Science Foundation. Cuts in research and development, like these, will cripple our country's ability to innovate and compete.
"My home state of California has historically been at the forefront of innovation —not by accident, but because we chose to invest in our future. California labs continue to make major breakthroughs in biomedical research. No state has more medical device companies than California. California companies dominate the field in eye-care advances.
"California is where we took huge leaps in aerospace. The space shuttle program took shape in California. In my district at a plant in Long Beach, Boeing builds C-17s, the workhorse of the Air Force.
"If we cut investment in ingenuity, we risk losing our competitive edge forever.
"As a member of the Intellectual Property Subcommittee, I know how important it is to protect innovative concepts that for centuries have fueled the success of American businesses. We must continue to protect and cultivate this inventive spirit. If we do, we can secure a prosperous future in manufacturing, high-tech, biomedical, and many other industries.
"We have the hardest working people in the world, but the short-sighted cuts Republicans want to make threaten future job growth. We must foster opportunity, not kill it.
"We have the blue print to return to the days when America meant innovation. We just have to follow it."