American Innovation Act

LEGISLATIVE PROGRESS

STEP 2 OF 8

Introduced

In Committee

Reported

Passed House

Passed Senate

Conference

To President

Became Law

Introduced
In Committee
Reported
Passed House
Passed Senate
Conference
To President
Became Law

WHAT THE BILL DOES

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Voters should care about this bill because it proposes a long-term, substantial investment in the foundational science that drives innovation and economic progress. If this bill becomes law, the U.S. could solidify its position as a global leader in scientific discovery, potentially leading to new industries, improved public health through medical advancements, and enhanced national security capabilities. This stable funding, especially with protection from budget cuts, means research projects can plan for the future with more certainty, tackling complex, long-term challenges.

Without this bill, funding for basic science research would remain subject to annual budget debates and potential cuts, which can create instability for researchers and hinder long-term projects. This could slow down the pace of American innovation, potentially ceding ground to other countries that are increasing their investments in science and technology. The bill aims to ensure consistent, growing support for the early-stage research that often has unexpected, but transformative, impacts on society.

KEY PROVISIONS

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Significantly increases funding for the National Science Foundation (NSF) from $9.7 billion in 2026 to over $18.2 billion in 2035.

This ensures substantial and growing support for fundamental research across various scientific and engineering fields.

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Increases funding for the Department of Energy's Office of Science from $8.8 billion in 2026 to over $16.6 billion in 2035.

This boosts research into energy, physical sciences, and high-performance computing, vital for future energy solutions and technological advancements.

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Boosts funding for Department of Defense science and technology programs from $23.1 billion in 2026 to over $43.3 billion in 2035.

This strengthens military readiness and national security by investing in cutting-edge defense technologies and research.

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Authorizes and appropriates funding for 10 years (FY2026-2035) with automatic annual inflation adjustments thereafter for these agencies.

This provides a predictable, sustained, and inflation-protected funding stream for long-term research initiatives.

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Exempts the appropriations under this act from sequestration (automatic budget cuts).

This protects vital science funding from arbitrary reductions, ensuring stability and commitment to research goals.