WASHINGTON, D.C.— Chairman John D. (Jay) Rockefeller IV today announced the U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation will hold a hearing on Wednesday, November 13, 2013 at 2:30 p.m. on how to strengthen U.S. innovation and manufacturing. 

The hearing will explore ways that government and industry can collaborate to both foster innovation and strengthen the manufacturing sector. In particular, next Wednesday’s hearing will focus on ways to bridge the so-called “valley of death”, which is the stage between research and production that has doomed many companies before a product reaches the market.

The Senate Commerce Committee has long played a leading role in promoting federal manufacturing programs. A major effort in this area led by the Committee is the America COMPETES Act – legislation that is has made critical investments in innovation and science that have led to high paying jobs and a growth in the economy. The Committee held a hearing this week to kick of the second reauthorization of COMPETES. During the hearing, members heard testimony from leading researchers, scientific experts and educators on the critical need to have federal investments in U.S.-based innovation and research and development, which would in turn boost the nation’s manufacturing sector.

Please note the hearing will be webcast live via the Senate Commerce Committee website. Refresh the Commerce Committee homepage 10 minutes prior to the scheduled start time to automatically begin streaming the webcast.

Individuals with disabilities who require an auxiliary aid or service, including closed captioning service for webcast hearings, should contact Stephanie Gamache at 202-224-5511 at least three business days in advance of the hearing date.

###