WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Ted Budd (R-N.C.), chairman of the Senate Commerce Subcommittee on Science, Manufacturing, and Competitiveness, will convene a subcommittee hearing on Tuesday, June 21, 2026, at 10:30 a.m. to examine U.S. leadership and competition in science and technology, particularly as China seeks to establish global dominance.
The hearing will allow the committee to examine how the U.S. can maintain its competitive edge in an ever-growing and rapidly evolving technological landscape, while also assessing how China is pursuing global control through coordinated national strategies and policies to strengthen American leadership.
Upon announcing the hearing, Senator Budd said: “The United States became the world’s preeminent innovator thanks to American ingenuity and the relentless pursuit of research and development to find the next breakthrough technology. Fostering meaningful collaboration between the federal government, private companies, universities, and other entities has enabled our nation to set the standard for world-class research. As America continues to develop frontier technologies of the future, such as biotechnology, AI, Quantum, and robotics, I look forward to chairing this hearing to evaluate the strengths of the U.S. science system, identify areas where we can re-scope our metrics of success and improve results, and assess the challenges we face from China.”
Senate Commerce Committee Chairman Ted Cruz (R-Texas) said: “The United States is in a race with China to lead the next generation of scientific and technological innovation. The nation that sets global standards for emerging technologies will shape the future of the world economy and our national security. America—not China—must win that race. As China continues to attempt to tip the scale and pursue technological dominance, we must ensure the United States has the policies in place that foster innovation and strengthen our competitive advantage.”
Witnesses:
- The Honorable Walter Copan, Vice President Emeritus for Research and Technology Transfer, Colorado School of Mines
- Dr. Drew Endy, Director of Bio-Strategy and Leadership, Hoover Institution
- Dr. Robert Atkinson, Founder and Senior Fellow, Information Technology and Innovation Foundation
- Dr. Julia Phillips, Member, Board of Trustees, Oregon State University
Hearing Details:
WHAT: Subcommittee hearing titled, “Measuring What Matters: Science, Standards, and Strategic Competition”
DATE: Tuesday, July 21, 2026
TIME: 10:30 a.m. ET
LOCATION: Committee Hearing Room, Russell 253
LIVESTREAM: The hearing will stream live on the committee website and YouTube.
MEDIA: Reporters interested in attending should contact their respective media gallery to RSVP.
- Senate Daily Press: 202-224-0241 or senate_press_gallery@saa.senate.gov
- Senate Periodical Press: 202-224-0265 or periodicals@saa.senate.gov
- Senate Photographers: 202-224-6548 or press_photo@saa.senate.gov
- Senate Radio/TV: 202-224-6421
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