Ranking Member Markey Statement on Senate Republican-led Decimation of American Innovation

RM Markey, House Republicans, and House Democrats unite to save SBIR and STTR programs; effort sinks on Senate floor

(Washington, September 30) - Ranking Member Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.) today released a statement following his effort to save the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) programs by passing a one-year extension of the programs on the Senate floor. The extension, which was led by House Republican Chairs of both the Small Business and Science Committees and was passed unanimously by the House of Representatives, was blocked by Senate Republicans. The programs will expire at midnight.

"I am disappointed that the Chair has rejected a bipartisan extension to one of the most bipartisan and successful small business programs in our government. Our standing on the world stage of innovation depends on our small businesses. A lapse in the SBIR/STTR programs will be devastating-it will lead to expansive layoffs, setbacks to scientific advancement, leave government funded technology vulnerable to foreign adversaries, and cut billions for small business investors. Kicking successful companies out of these programs would be like cutting your highest scorers after winning an NBA title. Instead of innovation, we would get decimation.

"We all want to see improvements made, but we need the time necessary to ensure that we are making informed, evidence-based decisions that do not harm American innovation. By allowing this program to end, the Chair and my Senate Republican colleagues are serving up our crown jewel-American small businesses and decades of American innovation-to our foreign adversaries on a silver platter."

Ranking Member Markey has led the fight for the extension and improvement of the SBIR and STTR programs. Last week, Ranking Member Markey released new analysis on how a program lapse would harm small businesses and the American innovation ecosystem. He also amplified the voices of hundreds of small businesses, universities, and program experts, including a former Trump administration official, who all called for the passage of the bipartisan one-year extension.

Earlier this month, Ranking Member Markey went to the Senate floor to pass the SBIR/STTR Reauthorization Act, which would extend the SBIR/STTR programs, preserve the successful bipartisan foreign due diligence program, and make necessary improvements to ensure that the American innovation ecosystem remains competitive and accessible for new entrants. The legislation was blocked by Senate Republicans. In August, Ranking Member Markey hosted a listening session with Massachusetts research and innovation small businesses, who all advocated for the protection of federal funding for research and development through programs such as SBIR and STTR.