Bill · S. 1276· Senate(119-S-1276)
American Innovation Act
- Introduced
- 4/3/2025
- Last activity
- 4/3/2025 — Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions. (text: CR S2174-2175)
- Sponsored by
- Richard Durbin
- Cosponsors
- - 4 - 0
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
The American Innovation Act aims to prioritize funding for a national investment in basic science research. It authorizes significant appropriations for several key entities, including the National Science Foundation and the Department of Energy's Office of Science. The bill also provides funding for Department of Defense science and technology programs, NIST, and NASA's Science Mission Directorate. These funds are scheduled to increase annually through fiscal year 2035. Starting in fiscal year 2036, annual increases will be tied to the Consumer Price Index for all urban consumers.
Yes· 3 of 13
Does this put more money into scientific research?+10
The bill is specifically designed to provide a massive and sustained increase in national scientific research funding.
Does this put more into space exploration?+8
The bill provides substantial new funding for NASA's Science Mission Directorate.
Would students be better off under this?+5
Expanded research funding creates more academic opportunities and scholarships for STEM students.
The opposite
Does this reduce what the federal government spends?-5
The bill mandates significant increases in government spending for scientific research agencies.
Does this reduce what is spent on the military?-3
The bill significantly increases funding for Department of Defense science and technology programs.
Does this reduce what the federal government owes?-2
The bill increases federal spending through significant new appropriations.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
-
Increased Scientific Funding: The bill provides substantial, growing appropriations for several major scientific organizations (Section 2(a)). This includes:
- National Science Foundation: Funding increases from $9,735,000,000 in fiscal year 2026 to $18,279,000,000 by fiscal year 2035 (Section 2(a)(1)).
- Department of Energy, Office of Science: Funding increases from $8,854,000,000 in fiscal year 2026 to $16,624,000,000 by fiscal year 2035 (Section 2(a)(2)).
- Department of Defense science and technology programs: Funding increases from $23,109,000,000 in fiscal year 2026 to $43,392,000,000 by fiscal year 2035 (Section 2(a)(3)).
- National Institute of Standards and Technology: Funding increases from $1,244,000,000 in fiscal year 2026 to $2,335,000,000 by fiscal year 2035 (Section 2(a)(4)).
- NASA Science Mission Directorate: Funding increases from $7,880,000,000 in fiscal year 2026 to $14,796,000,000 by fiscal year 2035 (Section 2(a)(5)).
-
Inflation Protection for Research: For fiscal years 2036 and beyond, the appropriations for these agencies will be increased based on the Consumer Price Index for all urban consumers (Section 2(a)(1)-(5)). This helps ensure funding keeps pace with inflation.
-
Financial Stability for Scientific Programs: Amounts appropriated under this act remain available until they are expended (Section 2(b)).
-
Protection from Budget Cuts: The bill amends the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act to exempt appropriations under the American Innovation Act from sequestration (Section 2(d)(1)).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- No negative impacts or burdens are explicitly identified in the provided text.
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Education And Technology
- Increases Scientific Research Funding+10Increases Space Exploration+8
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Good For Students+5Good For Business Owners+4Good For Young Adults+3
- Environment Energy And Infrastructure
- Increases Renewable Energy Investment+5Reduces Carbon Emissions+3Improves Environmental Protections+2
- Healthcare
- Increases Research Funding+4
- Governance And Ideology
- Increases Federal Power+3
- Economy And Finance
- Improves Economic Growth+5Increases Job Creation+3Reduces Government Spending-5Reduces National Debt-2
- National Security And Foreign Policy
- Improves Cybersecurity Defense+4Reduces Military Spending-3
- 4/3/2025
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions. (text: CR S2174-2175)
- 4 Cosponsors added.
- Introduced in Senate
One bill Congress.gov lists as related to this one — companions in the other chamber, earlier versions, and bills this one absorbed or was folded into.
Tammy DuckworthDemocrat · Illinois
Mazie HironoDemocrat · Hawaii
Alex PadillaDemocrat · California
Brian SchatzDemocrat · Hawaii