Sen. Young, colleagues introduce bill to support American leadership in emerging technology

U.S. Senators Todd Young (R-Ind.), Chris Coons (D-Del.), Deb Fischer (R-Neb.), and John Hickenlooper (D-Colo.) reintroduced a bill to establish a nonprofit foundation that would support the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) by bolstering public-private collaboration on U.S. technological innovation and competitiveness.

The Expanding Partnerships for Innovation and Competitiveness (EPIC) Act would establish a foundation to help NIST achieve its goal of promoting U.S. innovation and industrial competitiveness in science and technology. Congress has established similar foundations to support other federal agencies. 

“Maintaining and encouraging research and development in the U.S. is critical to winning the technological race against China and other adversaries,” said Senator Young. “Our bipartisan legislation will support these efforts by establishing an independent foundation to identify and foster innovative public-private partnerships across the country and strengthen the American economy.” 

“America's economic strength depends on technological leadership, and NIST has long been an engine of innovation for our country,” said Senator Coons. “The EPIC Act reflects our ongoing commitment to creating a nonprofit foundation that will mobilize resources to support U.S. leadership on emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, biotech, and quantum computing. With strong bipartisan support across both chambers, this legislation represents a critical investment in America's technological future."

“Our nation’s technological innovation is what keeps us globally competitive,” said Senator Fischer. “To stay ahead of our rapidly advancing adversaries, we must invest in emerging technologies and the metrics that underpin them. The EPIC Act is an effective, bipartisan way to help us generate more resources to do so without additional taxpayer costs.” 

“Whether it’s AI or quantum computing, the United States is pushing the boundaries of technological innovation on all fronts,” said Senator Hickenlooper. “There are no second chances with technologies this powerful; NIST needs every tool at its disposal to ensure responsible R&D from the start.”

Specifically, the EPIC Act would establish a nonprofit Foundation for Standards and Metrology, enabling NIST to:  

• Mobilize private and philanthropic funding to support critical scientific and technical initiatives; 
• Collaborate more closely with the private sector, nonprofit organizations, and institutions of higher education; and
• Train the emerging technology workforce of the future and retain top talent at the institute. 

Representatives Haley Stevens (D-Mich.) and Jay Obernolte (R-Calif.) introduced a companion bill in the U.S. House of Representatives. 

The full text of the bill is available here.