Made in America: Fattah Introduces Legislation Calling for Products Developed with Federal Research Dollars Be Manufactured in America

WASHINGTON, May 27, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- In an effort to stimulate American job growth, advance federal research and development efforts, and support the training of future scientists, Congressman Chaka Fattah (D-PA) has introduced legislation, The American Discoveries - American Jobs Commission Act of 2011* establishing a commission to study and recommend improvements to the existing system of federally funded research.  H.R. 2015 requires the commission to assess the benefits of collecting royalties from government subsidized research that leads to the commercialization of products.  The fees would be reinvested in the federal agencies for future discoveries.  The commission is further directed to make certain that products developed with federal research funds are manufactured in the United States.  This would not only produce jobs but guarantee broader benefits from initial investments.

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The Federal government spends nearly $130 billion annually on research and development to assist federal agencies in their duties.  Over the years, the research has led to new products and processes such as antibiotics, plastics, airplanes, computers, microwaves, and bioengineered drugs. These types of innovations are responsible for up to one-half the growth of the U.S. economy and are the principal driving force in the nations' long-term economic prosperity.

"The Federal government should be able to claim royalties from its own investment in early research then reinvest those royalties in science, technology, engineering and math education and future federal research," Fattah said.  "If new or improved products are on the commercial market because of federal research dollars then they should be stamped 'Made in America.'"

Currently, royalties derived from intellectual property rights provide the academic community an alternative way to support additional research and the business sector is able to obtain a return on its financial contribution.  Fattah contends the federal government should be given the same consideration.

* The American Discoveries - American Jobs Commission will also be known as the Herb Vederman American Discoveries – American Jobs Commission.  As a successful businessman and manufacturer, Vederman was decisive in Pennsylvania's economic development. As deputy mayor for economic development for former Philadelphia Mayor Ed Rendell, Vederman played a pivotal role in the revitalization of Philadelphia in the 1990s. For 20 years he leveraged his business acumen to catapult Pennsylvania as a leader in economic development and he did it without ever taking a salary or benefits.

SOURCE Office of Congressman Chaka Fattah

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