Indy Standard

Senator Todd Young and Matthew Pottinger, former Deputy National Security Advisor, have highlighted the importance of federal investment in research and development (R&D) for maintaining U.S. technological superiority. In an op-ed published in The Washington Post, they emphasize that funding R&D is not merely a gift to academia but a critical component of national security.

The authors point out that as President Donald Trump aims to advance in artificial intelligence, space exploration, and military strength, it's essential to remember the role of federal investment in achieving the United States' technological edge. They argue that this investment is crucial as the country competes with adversaries like China in fields such as biotech, quantum computing, and robotics.

Young and Pottinger warn about China's strategy for global technological dominance through significant R&D investments. "The Chinese Communist Party — our primary strategic adversary — is leveraging China’s engineering talent and manufacturing prowess to advance the regime’s interests," they write. They note that China's public spending on R&D has increased dramatically since 2000.

In contrast, U.S. federal funding for R&D has declined as a share of total spending since its Cold War peak. This reduction creates strategic blind spots within America's research ecosystem. While the private sector excels at marketable solutions in areas like healthcare and energy, it often avoids long-term investments vital for national security.

To address these challenges, Young and Pottinger propose two steps: First, policymakers should adequately fund basic and applied science research through congressional appropriations. Second, there should be pathways to bring innovations from labs into commercial markets within the U.S., requiring a supportive regulatory environment.

They conclude by urging collaboration between policymakers and innovators across America to ensure basic research supports innovation future competitiveness and security. "Our policymakers should lock arms with the science-and-technology dreamers and doers across the country," they state.

Todd Young represents Indiana in the U.S. Senate while Matt Pottinger chairs the China program at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies.