Ranking Member Edward J. Markey criticized the Trump administration's cuts to government agencies and research institutions during a Senate Small Business and Entrepreneurship Committee hearing titled “Innovation in the Crosshairs: Countering China’s Industrial Espionage.” He argued that these cuts are damaging American innovation.
“The biggest threat to our innovation ecosystem, both in Massachusetts and across the country, is not coming from abroad—it is coming directly from 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue,” said Ranking Member Markey. He emphasized the need for research security against China's espionage but accused President Trump of undermining American technology. “President Trump is killing American innovation and China is reaping the benefits.”
Dr. Sujai Shivakumar, Senior Fellow at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, spoke about the importance of small businesses, universities, and government agencies in promoting domestic research and development through programs like SBIR/STTR.
“U.S. innovation—and, by extension, our competitiveness and national security—depends on sustained, substantial support to our federal R&D agencies and research institutions," said Dr. Shivakumar.
The SBIR/STTR programs have provided over $70 billion in R&D funding to more than 30,000 small businesses nationwide over four decades. Ranking Member Markey along with House Committee on Small Business Ranking Member Nydia Velázquez introduced legislation to make these programs permanent.
