Science’s Quiet Coup

Despite coming under attack by congressional republicans, federal science funding has received a major and mostly overlooked boost. The America Competes Act, passed by Congress shortly before Christmas, calls for $46 billion in science and technology research funding over the next three years. Final approval awaits the signature of President Barack Obama, who in a recent speech framed the need for continued research support. “Our generation’s Sputnik moment is back,” he said, referring to the 1957 Soviet satellite launch that catalyzed the U.S. space program and accelerated the development of American technology.