Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives that it is imperative that the United States creates a clear vision and goal to be the world leader in innovation, science, technology, engineering, and math to ensure the continued strength, growth, and vitality of this Nation.

Whereas high math and science achievement are essential to the security of the United States and the strength of its economy; Whereas the Nation’s science and engineering workforce is aging and the supply of new scientists and engineers in the United States is decreasing; Whereas students are academically underperforming compared to other industrialized nations, ranking 20th in math and 13th in science; Whereas President Barack Obama has articulated that those countries that out educate the United States today will out compete the Nation tomorrow; Whereas education offers a source of solutions to the most pressing problems and everyone benefits from what schools do today to prepare students to be leaders tomorrow; Whereas education is often perceived to be expensive, but ignorance is far more costly; Whereas nations such as Singapore, China, and Germany have made it a national priority to be world leaders in math and science; Whereas an increasing number of countries are dedicating a large share of their gross domestic product (GDP) to research and development; Whereas the quality of 21st century scientists, doctors, and engineers will depend on the quality of education children in the United States receive today; Whereas the future depends on new innovations and technologies such as creating clean energy jobs for a clean energy economy; Whereas some of the greatest breakthroughs and innovations in science and technology have come during the most challenging times; Whereas innovations of the past, including walking on the moon, exploring space, and developing essential vaccines, occurred because people dared to dream and most importantly invested in the potential of those dreams; and Whereas the story of the United States is fundamentally rooted in a resilient spirit, always reaching for and achieving what others thought impossible: Now, therefore, be it That the House of Representatives— (1) creates a clear vision and goal for the United States that sets its national priority to be the world leader in innovation, science, technology, engineering, and math; (2) ensures that at least 3 percent of United States gross domestic product (GDP) is dedicated to research and development; (3) encourages more students to study math and science by elevating these subjects to be engaging and exciting subjects to study and careers to enter; and (4) recognizes that the resilient United States spirit will carry us through the current challenges we face to once again be the clear leader in innovation, research, and development.

Summary: Expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that it must: (1) create a clear vision and goal for the United States to be the world leader in innovation and science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM); (2) ensure that at least 3% of U.S. gross domestic product (GDP) is dedicated to research and development; (3) encourage more students to study math and science; and (4) recognize that the resilient U.S. spirit will carry us through the current challenges we face to once again be the clear leader in innovation, research, and development.