Why It Matters

The Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Subcommittee on Science, Manufacturing, and Competitiveness held a hearing on July 21 examining innovation metrics, science standards and U.S. competitiveness, with witnesses warning that proposed federal research cuts could allow China to gain further technological ground. The Trump administration has promoted ambitious innovation initiatives, but proposed reductions in funding for the National Science Foundation (NSF) and the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) have raised concerns about maintaining U.S. leadership in science and technology.

The hearing, titled "Measuring What Matters: Focusing on Science, Standards, and Strategic Competition," examined how the United States measures scientific progress and maintains its competitive position in emerging technologies.

The Backdrop: China's Rising Edge

The hearing comes as U.S. officials increasingly warn about China's advances in critical technologies. The National Security Commission on Emerging Biotechnology recently concluded that the United States is falling behind China in key areas of emerging biotechnology after previously assessing that the United States maintained the lead. The commission also warned that China has surpassed the United States in some areas of biopharmaceutical innovation.

The NSF's State of U.S. Science and Engineering report identifies the rise of China as a scientific and research competitor as one of the defining trends of the past quarter-century. Critics argue proposed reductions in domestic research spending could hand China a strategic advantage, with some describing the moment as a potential "Reverse Sputnik."

The Trump administration has simultaneously emphasized innovation. It announced more than $5 billion for the Genesis Mission in July, while Office of Science and Technology Policy Director Michael Kratsios released the report Science: A New Golden Age, outlining the administration's vision for expanding American scientific leadership. The administration says President Trump aims to lay the foundation for a new Golden Age of American innovation.

What The Witnesses Said

The subcommittee heard testimony from four witnesses: Walter Copan, vice president emeritus for research and technology transfer at the Colorado School of Mines and former NIST director; Dr. Drew Endy, director of Bio-Strategy and Leadership at the Hoover Institution; Dr. Robert Atkinson, founder and senior fellow at the Information Technology and Innovation Foundation; and Dr. Julia Phillips.

Federal research funding emerged as the hearing's central issue. Atkinson testified that he sees "absolutely no benefit" from the administration's proposed research and development budget reductions. TechTarget has reported that proposed cuts to NSF and NIST could significantly affect U.S. companies' ability to develop new technologies and products.

The discussion reflected broader disagreement over balancing fiscal discipline with long-term scientific competitiveness. Subcommittee Chair Sen. Ted Budd (R-N.C.) and Ranking Member Sen. Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.) agreed on the importance of scientific leadership while differing over budget priorities.

NIST's mission is to promote U.S. innovation and industrial competitiveness through measurement science, standards and technology. Its national standards strategy emphasizes strengthening the voluntary standards system to support competitiveness, while the agency's strategic priorities include advancing semiconductor technologies and other critical technologies.

Political Stakes

The hearing highlighted tension between the administration's innovation agenda and its proposed research funding reductions. While the administration has promoted initiatives such as the Genesis Mission, Democrats argue proposed budget cuts would weaken the agencies responsible for maintaining U.S. scientific leadership. Sen. Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.) has led efforts to oppose proposed reductions to NASA, NSF and NIST funding.

In September 2025, Office of Management and Budget Director Russ Vought and OSTP Director Michael Kratsios released the administration's FY2027 research and development priorities memorandum, describing the administration's goal of aligning federal research investments around mission-driven scientific priorities.

Supporters of robust federal science funding argue Congress has previously stepped in to prevent deeper cuts. The CEO of AAAS stated that Congress rejected what he described as catastrophic proposed reductions that would have damaged U.S. scientific competitiveness.

The hearing also reflects Sen. Budd's continued focus on emerging technologies. Earlier this year, he chaired a hearing examining artificial intelligence applications in health care, workforce development and industry. More recently, he welcomed North Carolina's selection for an NSF Regional Innovation Engines award, highlighting the economic impact of federal science investments.

The Other Side

While the hearing focused on science standards and measurement, witnesses also emphasized broader biotechnology challenges. The Hoover Institution has argued that President Trump has not yet taken significant action to expand U.S. biotechnology policy since returning to office.

The National Security Commission on Emerging Biotechnology also concluded that the United States' dependence on China for critical biotechnology supply chains represents a national security vulnerability.

Congress has also begun advancing legislation addressing biotechnology commercialization. The Expanding Partnerships for Innovation and Competitiveness Act (S. 1235) would strengthen commercialization of federally funded research, while the Foundation for Enabling Biotechnology Innovation Act (S. 2696) would establish recommendations for biotechnology commercialization, horizon scanning and regulation of emerging products.

What's Next

The hearing sets the stage for broader debates over federal science funding as Congress considers future appropriations. Committee leaders will continue weighing funding levels for NSF, NIST and other research agencies as FY2027 appropriations move forward. NIST has continued issuing competitive funding opportunities, including its Standards Curricula Development Program, despite uncertainty surrounding future funding levels.

Witness testimony is expected to inform future committee work on research funding priorities, science standards and strategic competition with China.

The Bottom Line

Witnesses warned that maintaining U.S. leadership in science and technology will require sustained federal investment at a time when China continues expanding its capabilities. The hearing underscored the growing tension between fiscal restraint and preserving America's long-term technological competitiveness.

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