American Innovation Act
Sponsored By: Senator Durbin, Richard J. [D-IL]
Introduced
Summary
Multi-year guaranteed funding for major federal science and technology programs. The American Innovation Act would set fixed annual appropriations for NSF, the DOE Office of Science, DoD science and technology programs, NIST scientific and technical research, and NASA’s Science Mission Directorate for fiscal years 2026–2035 and then index amounts to CPI from 2036 onward.
Show full summary
- Researchers and research institutions: Creates predictable, growing funding for civilian research agencies. For example, NSF funding would rise from about $9.7 billion in 2026 to about $18.3 billion in 2035.
- Defense research and contractors: Expands Defense science and technology budgets to support DoD research programs, rising from about $23.1 billion in 2026 to about $43.4 billion in 2035.
- Budget rules and agencies: Appropriations would remain available until expended and are exempt from sequestration and excluded from PAYGO scorecards, so these funds follow the act’s schedule rather than standard sequestration or PAYGO treatment.
*Would authorize substantial new federal outlays for science and technology through 2035 and beyond.*
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
7 provisions identified: 7 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
Big boost for DoD research
If enacted, the bill would give the Department of Defense science and technology programs set funding each year from FY2026 through FY2035. It would provide about $23.1 billion for FY2026, $24.8 billion for FY2027, $26.3 billion for FY2028, $28.5 billion for FY2029, $30.6 billion for FY2030, $32.8 billion for FY2031, $35.2 billion for FY2032, $37.7 billion for FY2033, $40.5 billion for FY2034, and $43.4 billion for FY2035. From FY2036 on, each year’s amount would grow by the annual percent change in the Consumer Price Index (CPI). The money would flow to DoD labs, contractors, universities, and other S&T recipients.
Bigger budgets for the NSF
If enacted, the bill would give the National Science Foundation set funding each year from FY2026 through FY2035. It would provide about $9.7 billion for FY2026, $10.4 billion for FY2027, $11.2 billion for FY2028, $12.0 billion for FY2029, $12.9 billion for FY2030, $13.8 billion for FY2031, $14.8 billion for FY2032, $15.9 billion for FY2033, $17.0 billion for FY2034, and $18.3 billion for FY2035. From FY2036 on, each year’s amount would grow by the annual percent change in the Consumer Price Index (CPI). The funds would support NSF grants, research institutions, and universities.
Higher funding for NIST research
If enacted, the bill would give NIST’s scientific and technical research and services set funding each year from FY2026 through FY2035. It would provide about $1.2 billion for FY2026, $1.3 billion for FY2027, $1.4 billion for FY2028, $1.5 billion for FY2029, $1.6 billion for FY2030, $1.8 billion for FY2031, $1.9 billion for FY2032, $2.0 billion for FY2033, $2.2 billion for FY2034, and $2.3 billion for FY2035. From FY2036 on, each year’s amount would grow by the annual percent change in the Consumer Price Index (CPI). The funding would support standards bodies, labs, universities, and businesses that get NIST awards.
More funding for DOE science
If enacted, the bill would give the Department of Energy Office of Science set funding each year from FY2026 through FY2035. It would provide about $8.9 billion for FY2026, $9.5 billion for FY2027, $10.2 billion for FY2028, $10.9 billion for FY2029, $11.7 billion for FY2030, $12.6 billion for FY2031, $13.5 billion for FY2032, $14.5 billion for FY2033, $15.5 billion for FY2034, and $16.6 billion for FY2035. From FY2036 on, each year’s amount would grow by the annual percent change in the Consumer Price Index (CPI). The funds would support national labs, universities, researchers, and contractors.
More NASA science missions
If enacted, the bill would give NASA’s Science Mission Directorate fixed funding each year from FY2026 through FY2035. It would provide about $7.9 billion for FY2026, $8.5 billion for FY2027, $9.1 billion for FY2028, $9.7 billion for FY2029, $10.4 billion for FY2030, $11.2 billion for FY2031, $12.0 billion for FY2032, $12.9 billion for FY2033, $13.8 billion for FY2034, and $14.8 billion for FY2035. From FY2036 on, each year’s amount would grow by the annual percent change in the Consumer Price Index (CPI). The money would support missions, research, universities, and contractors.
Protects these appropriations from cuts
If enacted, the bill would say these appropriations are exempt from automatic sequestration cuts under the Balanced Budget Act for sequestration orders issued on or after enactment. It would also say the budgetary effects of this section are not entered on the statutory PAYGO scorecards and related Congressional PAYGO scorecards. Together, those rules would help keep the named funding from automatic cuts and from PAYGO offsets.
Funds stay available until spent
If enacted, the bill would let the amounts it authorizes remain available until spent. That means agencies and grant recipients could obligate and use these funds over multiple years instead of losing them at fiscal year end. This does not change who gets money or give checks to households.
Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
Durbin, Richard J. [D-IL]
IL • D
Cosponsors
Sen. Duckworth, Tammy [D-IL]
IL • D
Sponsored 4/3/2025
Sen. Hirono, Mazie K. [D-HI]
HI • D
Sponsored 4/3/2025
Sen. Padilla, Alex [D-CA]
CA • D
Sponsored 4/3/2025
Sen. Schatz, Brian [D-HI]
HI • D
Sponsored 4/3/2025
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
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