R&D Funding is Vital to U.S. National Security

As President Trump pledges to win the artificial intelligence race, send Americans to Mars and sustain U.S. military dominance, we would do well to remember a key reason the United States achieved its technological edge in the first place: federal investment in ambitious research and development. The U.S. is racing against its adversaries to lead not only in artificial intelligence but also biotech, quantum computing, robotics and other technologies that will be pivotal for U.S. prosperity and security. The pace of innovation and deployment of these next-generation capabilities will only accelerate.

The Chinese Communist Party — our primary strategic adversary — is leveraging China's engineering talent and manufacturing prowess to advance the regime's interests, diminish U.S. power, and assert a totalitarian model of censorship and surveillance on users of China's technology products worldwide. Beijing's explicit strategy for global technological dominance hinges not only on its well-known theft of American technology but also on significant investment in China's own R&D efforts.

China's public spending on R&D has grown 16-fold since 2000, placing it second in the world behind the United States for total spending. This month, China announced an 8.3 percent increase in science and technology spending, among other investments unveiled in an effort to surpass the United States' lead. In several critical technologies — from drones to advanced manufacturing using robots to quantum communications — China is gaining on or already beating the United States in terms of making discoveries and applying them in the real world.

Just as China's commitment to research and development has grown, the U.S. government's has waned. Federal funding for R&D has declined significantly as a share of total spending since its Cold War peak, leaving strategic blind spots in our research ecosystem.

I recently wrote an op-ed with Matthew Pottinger, former Deputy National Security Advisor, in the Washington Post, highlighting why R&D is crucial for our future innovation, economic competitiveness, and national security.

Read more here. 

100th Anniversary of WOWO Radio

I spoke on the Senate floor about the 100th anniversary of WOWO Radio in Fort Wayne. On March 31, 1925, at 500 watts, 1320 on the dial, the Voice of the Midwest – WOWO Radio – first hit the airwaves.

Over the past century, through good times and bad, Hoosiers in the northeast part of our state have turned on and tuned in to WOWO. And though the number on the dial has changed, the studio has moved, the station’s wattage has expanded, and the world of media has evolved, Hoosiers still listen today.

In my remarks, I spoke about the impact the radio station has made throughout northeast Indiana.

Click here or above to watch my speech.

Protecting American Energy

In 2016, climate activists turned emergency shut-off valves on pipelines in Minnesota, forcing the operators to turn off the pipelines to prevent damage. The activists admitted to their attack, but a judge ruled that the prosecution failed to prove damage from valve-turning. Eco-terrorist attacks like this are increasing as radical activists rise in influence and become more expansive in tactics and messaging.

To address this issue, I joined Senator Tim Sheehy (R-Mont.) in reintroducing the Safe and Secure Transportation of American Energy Act to protect American energy from eco-terrorists.

About ninety percent of America’s transportation sector is reliant on oil, and pipeline disruptions pose a major threat to America’s energy security. Our legislation takes much-needed steps to better protect our critical infrastructure and deter attacks on America’s pipelines.

Read more here. 

Kratos Groundbreaking

It was an exciting day for our state as defense technology leader Kratos broke ground on a $50 million facility at WestGate@Crane Technology Park, providing more opportunities for Hoosier workers to contribute to our national security.

Help for Hoosiers 

Navigating federal agencies can be difficult. My staff and I are here to assist Hoosiers who are having trouble receiving benefits, have questions regarding a program or procedure, or have not heard back from these agencies in a timely manner.

Learn more about how we can help here.

Local News

IBJ - Editorial: CHIPS Act is funding science needed to keep US at forefront

The Herald Bulletin - Sen. Young working to restore America’s military might

Hoosier State Today - Legislation targets eco-terrorism loopholes threatening U.S. energy infrastructure

Daily Journal - Johnson County Congressional delegation updates: week of March 15

WISH TV - Young: Signal leak a problem but still support Trump’s team

Marshall County Post - Senator Young's bill to crack down on fraudsters advances out of committee

Thank you for the continued privilege to serve you in the U.S. Senate. My mission is to fight on behalf of Hoosiers and the interests that are unique to our state. I look forward to working with you, and sharing our progress, in the days ahead. 

In Service,