Fostering Innovation

“Too many people are being left behind in today’s changing global economy, and we must do more to ensure that everyone who works hard has the opportunity to get ahead and stay ahead. As a member of the Senate Finance Committee, my top priority is to encourage innovation and entrepreneurship, while also building the highly skilled workforce that innovation based businesses need to grow and thrive.” – Senator Hassan

To help lay the foundation for the next generation of economic growth, Senator Hassan is focused on fostering innovation, eliminating barriers for entrepreneurs, increasing participation in the Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) fields, and expanding access to broadband. 

As a member of the Senate Finance Committee, Senator Hassan introduced bipartisan legislation to double the refundable research and development (R&D) tax credit and extend it to more small businesses. The R&D tax credit supports the efforts of businesses to invest in the development of new, innovative products that lead to job creation and a stronger economy.

Additionally, as part of her efforts to support New Hampshire and America’s entrepreneurs, the first bill Senator Hassan introduced was the Reigniting Opportunity for Innovators (ROI) Act, which would help provide the student loan debt relief necessary for entrepreneurs to start up and grow innovative small businesses.

To ensure that our economy works for everyone, Senator Hassan has supported efforts to include more women, minorities, and people who experience disabilities in STEM fields.

Access to high-speed, reliable internet is also crucial to the success of people and businesses in the 21st century economy. Senator Hassan has been a leader in the push to expand high-speed internet to rural areas in New Hampshire and across the country.

To help close the urban-rural digital divide, Senator Hassan joined in introducing the bipartisan AIRWAVES Act, which establishes a spectrum pipeline that will provide more capacity for wireless providers to improve existing service and expand to new areas. Senator Hassan also introduced the bipartisan MAP Broadband Act to help improve the accuracy of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) mobile broadband coverage maps to ensure that federal investments in expanding broadband are directed toward areas – such as rural parts of New Hampshire – that need it the most.

Net neutrality is also critical to promoting innovation, supporting hard-working people, and encouraging economic growth. Net neutrality ensures that internet service providers treat all sites on the internet equally, and do not impede the ability of businesses and consumers to access certain services or information. Senator Hassan is working to try to overturn the FCC’s backward decision to repeal net neutrality protections.

Senator Hassan will continue fighting to ensure that all hard-working Granite Staters and Americans have the support and resources that they need to succeed in the 21st century innovation economy.

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