Bill Clinton 1996 On The Issues

Investing in Science and Technology
 

Ensuring that America remains the world leader in science and technology is a cornerstone of President Clinton and Vice President Gore's economic and national security strategy. The Administration is working to strengthen America's scientific and technological lead by promoting U.S. competitiveness, by creating high-wage jobs, by maintaining America's military superiority, by improving education and health care, and by protecting the environment.

President Clinton is creating a pro-growth business and economic climate that promotes private sector investment and innovation by:

	Enacting his 1993 Economic Plan which has cut the deficit by more than half and brought the combined rate of unemployment, inflation, and mortgage rates to its lowest level since 1968. Our growing economy has unleashed investments by private industry in research innovation and new technologies. The President's plan will balance the budget by 2002, while maintaining critical investment in research, technology, and education.
	Signing the Telecommunications Act of 1996, which eliminated outdated laws and regulations and freed American industry to lead the world in providing new information technologies to consumers, in building the Information Superhighway, and in creating millions of new jobs. Common sense regulatory reforms at the Environmental Protection Agency and the Food and Drug Administration are promoting the use of sound scientific and innovative technologies to restore and protect the environment at lower cost -- making it easier to develop and market new drugs and medical technologies.
	Fighting to open world trade markets and working to eliminate trade barriers and strengthen intellectual property protection overseas for U.S. high-technology industries. President Clinton has developed a comprehensive National Export Strategy that is targeting high-technology exports and is eliminating outdated restrictions to free up billions of dollars of computer and telecommunications exports for U.S. companies.
	Increasing funding for research, technology, and education investments critical to America's future, including funding for: World-class basic research through the National Science Foundation and other agencies to sustain America's leadership across the frontiers of science. Technologies essential to our military superiority and critical to our nation's long- term economic growth and success in the global information-age economy. Medical research at the National Institutes of Health to seek new cures, new medical technologies, and new ways to prevent disease and improve treatment. Technologies with the potential to protect the environment at a lower cost while generating jobs and economic growth. University-based research to yield vital new knowledge and to train the next generation of scientists and engineers. The President has expanded opportunities for college education for all Americans, and he has launched a national initiative in partnership with American industry and communities to transform American schools with new computer technologies.
	Reorganizing and revitalizing America's government research laboratories and agencies for the next century: Government laboratories supported by NASA, the Departments of Energy and Defense, and other agencies are being organized to focus more effectively on our most critical economic, environmental, health, and national security challenges. NASA, America's space agency, has been revitalized to ensure U.S. leadership in space for the next century. Costs are down, bureaucracy reduced, and performance improved. The international Space Station has been designed to cut costs, increase international participation, and expand its capabilities as a world class orbiting laboratory. NASA has launched a new era of scientific exploration using a new generation of spacecraft and has begun to develop a less expensive, safer, and more reliable replacement for the aging space shuttle.
	Working to make America the best prepared country for the challenges of the next century: Our scientists and engineers lead in key areas of basic research and technology ranging from biotechnology to aerospace. Sound economic policies and a streamlined regulatory system are promoting investment in innovation throughout American businesses, and U.S. high technology industries are poised to succeed in global markets. Our national security has been strengthened, and the investment in training and education our nation is making now is paving the way for Americans to succeed in the new industries of the future.

Building on Our Progress

As we move into the next century, President Clinton and Vice President Gore will continue to fight to maintain U.S. scientific and technological leadership by:

	Working to provide our children with the tools and skills needed to succeed in the global information-based economy -- better-trained teachers, new computer technologies, and the Information Superhighway.
	Strengthening our unmatched system of research universities and colleges, producing new knowledge and the finest scientists and engineers.
	Fostering cooperation between American industry and government to sustain the high levels of technological innovation needed for U.S. companies to compete against expanding international competition and to provide good jobs for American workers.
	Supporting new technologies that will provide our Armed Forces with the military edge needed to preserve national security and global stability.
	Developing renewable energy sources and energy-efficient homes, transportation, and industry that will decrease pollution and increase our energy security.

Source: Bill Clinton for President 1996 Web Site