INDUSTRY

The U.S. House of Representatives yesterday approved legislation aimed at improving America’s global competitiveness, increasing energy efficiency and advancing research essential to economic progress. Each bill – products of the House Committee on Science and Technology – passed the House with overwhelming support. The High Performance Computing R&D Act was approved by the House on a voice vote. It would amend the original High Performance Computing and Communications Act of 1991. The bill is designed to improve planning and coordination for interagency research and development in information technology under the research program established by the High Performance Computing Act of 1991. It would also require the development of a roadmap to provide for the sustained deployment of high performance computers for transparent access by the research community and a plan to support the research and development efforts needed for the next generation of high-performance computers. The bill now advances to the U.S. Senate for consideration. "I’m proud that my colleagues on both the Committee and in the House have advanced these bipartisan, consensus bills that put good ideas into practice for our constituents and our country," said Committee Chairman Bart Gordon (D-TN). H.R. 1068, amending the High-Performance Computing Act of 1991 is designed to improve planning and coordination for interagency research and development in information technology under the research program established by the High-Performance Computing Act of 1991. Research and Science Education Subcommittee Chairman Brian Baird (D-WA) sponsored the bill along with co-sponsor, Rep. Judy Biggert (R-IL) – who proposed similar legislation in both the 108th and 109th Congress. “Information technology is an engine that drives economic growth in this country,” said Chairman Baird. “It creates high-wage jobs, provides for rapid communication throughout the world, and provides tools for closing the knowledge gap. This bill will help develop and deploy the fastest, most up-to-date, and technologically advanced supercomputing systems that are essential for U.S. scientific, industrial, and military competitiveness.”