§ 6601. Congressional findings; priority goals

§ 6601. Congressional findings; priority goals

(a) The Congress, recognizing the profound impact of science and technology on society, and the interrelations of scientific, technological, economic, social, political, and institutional factors, hereby finds and declares that—

(1) the general welfare, the security, the economic health and stability of the Nation, the conservation and efficient utilization of its natural and human resources, and the effective functioning of government and society require vigorous, perceptive support and employment of science and technology in achieving national objectives;

(2) the many large and complex scientific and technological factors which increasingly influence the course of national and international events require appropriate provision, involving long-range, inclusive planning as well as more immediate program development, to incorporate scientific and technological knowledge in the national decisionmaking process;

(3) the scientific and technological capabilities of the United States, when properly fostered, applied, and directed, can effectively assist in improving the quality of life, in anticipating and resolving critical and emerging international, national, and local problems, in strengthening the Nation’s international economic position, and in furthering its foreign policy objectives;

(4) Federal funding for science and technology represents an investment in the future which is indispensable to sustained national progress and human betterment, and there should be a continuing national investment in science, engineering, and technology which is commensurate with national needs and opportunities and the prevalent economic situation;

(5) the manpower pool of scientists, engineers, and technicians, constitutes an invaluable national resource which should be utilized to the fullest extent possible; and

(6) the Nation’s capabilities for technology assessment and for technological planning and policy formulation must be strengthened at both Federal and State levels.

(b) As a consequence, the Congress finds and declares that science and technology should contribute to the following priority goals without being limited thereto:

(1) fostering leadership in the quest for international peace and progress toward human freedom, dignity, and well-being by enlarging the contributions of American scientists and engineers to the knowledge of man and his universe, by making discoveries of basic science widely available at home and abroad, and by utilizing technology in support of United States national and foreign policy goals;

(2) increasing the efficient use of essential materials and products, and generally contributing to economic opportunity, stability, and appropriate growth;

(3) assuring an adequate supply of food, materials, and energy for the Nation’s needs;

(4) contributing to the national security;

(5) improving the quality of health care available to all residents of the United States;

(6) preserving, fostering, and restoring a healthful and esthetic natural environment;

(7) providing for the protection of the oceans and coastal zones, and the polar regions, and the efficient utilization of their resources;

(8) strengthening the economy and promoting full employment through useful scientific and technological innovations;

(9) increasing the quality of educational opportunities available to all residents of the United States;

(10) promoting the conservation and efficient utilization of the Nation’s natural and human resources;

(11) improving the Nation’s housing, transportation, and communication systems, and assuring the provision of effective public services throughout urban, suburban, and rural areas;

(12) eliminating air and water pollution, and unnecessary, unhealthful, or ineffective drugs and food additives; and

(13) advancing the exploration and peaceful uses of outer space.

(Pub. L. 94–282, title I, § 101, May 11, 1976, 90 Stat. 459.)

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Short Title of 2017 Amendment

Pub. L. 114–329, title VI, § 604(a), Jan. 6, 2017, 130 Stat. 3037, provided that: “This section [amending section 6612 of this title] may be cited as the ‘United States Chief Technology Officer Act’.”

Short Title

Pub. L. 94–282, § 1, May 11, 1976, 90 Stat. 459, provided that: “This Act [enacting this chapter, amending section 1863 of this title, repealing sections 1, 2, 3, and 4 of Reorganization Plan Numbered 2 of 1962 (76 Stat. 1253), set out as a note under section 1861 of this title, and section 2 of Reorganization Plan Numbered 1 of 1973 (87 Stat. 1089), set out as a note under section 5195 of this title, and enacting provisions set out as notes under this section and sections 1862 and 6611 of this title] may be cited as the ‘National Science and Technology Policy, Organization, and Priorities Act of 1976’.”

Pub. L. 94–282, title II, § 201, May 11, 1976, 90 Stat. 463, provided that: “This title [enacting subchapter II of this chapter] may be cited as the ‘Presidential Science and Technology Advisory Organization Act of 1976’.”

Industries of the Future

Pub. L. 116–283, div. H, title XCIV, § 9412, Jan. 1, 2021, 134 Stat. 4818, provided that: “(a) Short Title.—This section may be cited as the ‘Industries of the Future Act of 2020’. “(b) Report on Federal Research and Development Focused on Industries of the Future.—“(1) In general.—Not later than 120 days after the date of the enactment of this Act [Jan. 1, 2021], the Director of the Office of Science and Technology Policy shall submit to Congress a report on research and development investments, infrastructure, and workforce development investments of the Federal Government that enable continued United States leadership in industries of the future. “(2) Contents.—The report submitted under paragraph (1) shall include the following:“(A) A definition, for purposes of this section, of the term ‘industries of the future’ that includes emerging technologies. “(B) An assessment of the current baseline of investments in civilian research and development investments of the Federal Government in the industries of the future. “(C) A plan to double such baseline investments in artificial intelligence and quantum information science by fiscal year 2022. “(D) A detailed plan to increase investments described in subparagraph (B) in industries of the future to $10,000,000,000 per year by fiscal year 2025. “(E) A plan to leverage investments described in subparagraphs (B), (C), and (D) in industries of the future to elicit complimentary investments by non-Federal entities, including providing incentives for significant complementary investments by such entities and facilitating public-private partnerships. “(F) Proposals for the Federal Government, including any necessary draft legislation, to implement such plans. “(c) Industries of the Future Coordination Council.—“(1) Establishment.—“(A) In general.—The President shall establish or designate a council to advise the Director of the Office of Science and Technology Policy on matters relevant to the Director and the industries of the future. “(B) Designation.—The council established or designated under subparagraph (A) shall be known as the ‘Industries of the Future Coordination Council’ (in this section the ‘Council’). “(2) Membership.—“(A) Composition.—The Council shall be composed of employees of the Federal Government who shall be appointed as follows:“(i) One member appointed by the Director. “(ii) A chairperson of the Select Committee on Artificial Intelligence of the National Science and Technology Council. “(iii) A chairperson of the Subcommittee on Advanced Manufacturing of the National Science and Technology Council. “(iv) A chairperson of the Subcommittee on Quantum Information Science of the National Science and Technology Council. “(v) Such other members as the President considers appropriate. “(B) Chairperson.—The member appointed to the Council under paragraph (A)(i) shall serve as the chairperson of the Council. “(3) Duties.—The duties of the Council are as follows:“(A) To provide the Director with advice on ways in which in [sic] the Federal Government can ensure the United States continues to lead the world in developing emerging technologies that improve the quality of life of the people of the United States, increase economic competitiveness of the United States, and strengthen the national security of the United States, including identification of the following:“(i) Federal investments required in fundamental research and development, infrastructure, technology transfer, and workforce development of the United States workers who will support the industries of the future. “(ii) Actions necessary to create and further develop the workforce that will support the industries of the future. “(iii) Actions required to leverage the strength of the research and development ecosystem of the United States, which includes academia, industry, and nonprofit organizations, to support industries of the future. “(iv) Ways that the Federal Government can consider leveraging existing partnerships and creating new partnerships and other multisector collaborations to advance the industries of the future. “(v) Actions required to accelerate the translation of federally funded research and development to practice and meaningful benefits for society while mitigating any risks. “(B) To provide the Director with advice on matters relevant to the report required under subsection (b). “(4) Coordination.—The Council shall coordinate with and utilize relevant existing National Science and Technology Council committees to the maximum extent feasible in order to minimize duplication of effort. “(5) Applicability of faca.—The Federal Advisory Committee Act ([former] 5 U.S.C. App.) [see 5 U.S.C. 1001 et seq.] shall not apply to the Council established under this subsection. “(6) Sunset.—The Council shall terminate on the date that is 6 years after the date of the enactment of this Act [Jan. 1, 2021].”

Securing American Science and Technology