Republican Congressional Leaders Affirm the Value of Place-based NSF and EDA Investments

As the Trump administration and Congress consider ways to bend industrial policy to suit their constituents’ priorities, Young and Fleischmann’s comments solicited continued focus on innovation investments.

While most U.S. states now claim a Tech Hub, Engine, or Build Back Better Regional Challenge award, the CHIPS & Science Act, which passed with bipartisan support, remains only partially appropriated–a challenge that remains as Speaker Mike Johnson leads his caucus in the new Congress, having previously argued for a repeal of the Act (though he later played down those comments). Examples of this incomplete appropriation include the 2024 budget underfunding the NSF by 42% and giving Tech Hubs just 5% of their authorized amount. Though an additional $210 million from the FY25 NDAA (an extra 2%) demonstrated progress, these programs deserve what the CHIPS & Science Act called for. As Panchanathan noted, “not even half of the potential in our nation is being taken advantage of.”

Leaders from industry, community colleges, and state and local leaders alike are calling on Congress to follow through on CHIPS Act investments and see hope and room for consensus and partnership. For his part, Fleischmann was hopeful that bipartisanship for scientific and technological innovation would continue. “It’s my prayer that this survives beyond just one administration to another…folks like Todd and I in Congress, we’re going to push that collaboration.”

Many competing priorities will influence decision-making on Capitol Hill this spring. Still, one thing is sure following the ROADMAP summit: the innovation community is hopeful that Republican lawmakers will align with their colleagues when finalizing appropriation funding to programs like NSF Engines and EDA Tech Hubs.