'Now is the Time'

John Holdren, director of the Obama administration's Office of Science and Technology Policy, recently testified in front of Congress on the science budget, says The Intersection's Chris Mooney. Holdren told Congress that while the Obama administration is committed to reducing the budget and the deficit, it is also dedicated to "prim[ing] the pump of discovery and innovation" by proposing increased investments in research and STEM education. "America's strength, prosperity, and global leadership depend directly on the investments we're willing to make in R&D, in STEM education, and in infrastructure," Holdren told Congress. This is exactly the right attitude to take, Mooney says. When times are tough economically, it's important to increase investment in research and innovation, not cut it, he says, adding, "In hard times, you don't give up on vision. You knuckle down, sure, but you also look ahead."