This report focuses on basic research -- the experimental or theoretical work intended to advance science and engineering knowledge rather than develop a specific product or process. CED recommends policy reforms to ensure that tomorrow's basic research can be as productive and effective as possible. The recommendations address Congress' procedures for allocating funds for basic research, the central role of the research university and the individual scientific investigator, the critical importance of peer review, the need to sustain the pipeline of high-quality scientists and engineers for the long-term, and the implications of an increasingly global research enterprise. Complete listing and access info »

CED's report, Breaking the Litigation Habit calls our litigation system "too intrusive, too slow, and too expensive." The current system does not adequately or fairly compensate people for injuries; it imposes costs that threaten to impair economic innovation; and it undermines the trust and civility among our citizens that are essential to a well-functioning, democratic society. Complete listing and access info »

In this report that follows the 1999 report Investing in the People's Business, CED makes three categories of recommendations: FEC reform, strengthening the soft-money ban by closing the so-called '527 committee" loophole, and strengthening the presidential public funding system in both the primary and general election. These reforms are vital if we are to fashion a campaign finance system that protects free speech, encourages debate, and elects candidates based on ideas, not dollars.

The subcommittee that oversaw this project was co-chaired by Edward A. Kangas, Chairman, Global Board of Directors, Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu, and George Rupp, President, Columbia University. Professor Anthony Corrado of Colby College served as project director.
Complete listing and access info »

This report addresses the increasingly short-term focus by many business leaders that is damaging the ability of public companies to sustain long-term performance. This trend is hampering growth in the American economy. The report offers recommendations for corporations to improve performance by focusing on long-term goals. "Short-termism" is defined as an undue focus on meeting quarterly forecasts and a lesser emphasis on long-term planning. Complete listing and access info »

This program statement was developed to influence the important debate on U.S.-China economic relations. The statement presents a clear and simple case for Congressional approval of the PNTR legislation, which would benefit U.S. exporters and help foster long-term political and social change in China. It argues that China's entry into the WTO will require policy changes within China that will support the country's economic and social advancement, including its attitudes towards human rights, political liberalization, and environmental protection. A failure to undertake permanent normal trade relations, however, would impose economic costs on the United States, as other WTO members displace U.S. investment and trade in China. The statement was approved by CED's Program Committee Complete listing and access info »

Much debate has arisen in recent years over the state of the legal system in the United States and proposals to drastically alter it. More attention is being directed towards the economic consequences of our litigation-centered legal regime, such as the impact of medical liability on health care costs. The Bush Administration has made legal reform a high priority. This is a worthy and necessary discourse, but the debate unfortunately has deteriorated into partisan quarreling. In this climate, there is little hope for achieving a real resolution that protects individuals and promotes economic activity. The present debate must move towards a bipartisan exploration of sensible reforms and innovative solutions. Complete listing and access info »

In October 2000, Congress passed the "American Competitiveness in the Twenty-First Century Act of 2000" (AC21). Responding to tight labor markets and burgeoning demand for highly skilled workers, particularly in the information technology sector (IT), large bipartisan majorities voted to increase the annual ceiling on temporary "specialty worker" (H-1B) visas. AC21 raises the number of H-1B visas from 115,000 to 195,000 for each of the next three fiscal years. This was the second large increase since 1998, when the limit was only 65,000. (See Figure 1.) The ceiling reverts to 65,000 in 2004.
The recent strong demand for temporary workers reflects not only a booming IT industry, but also a failing permanent visa system. Temporary H-1B visas are generally approved in two to four months, while the wait for permanent employment visas now averages four and one half years. Although many employers would prefer to hire permanent workers, they cannot operate with such delays. They therefore have turned to the temporary visa system to fill permanent positions and meet their growing demand for skilled labor. Complete listing and access info »

The Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunities Reconciliation Act of 1996 (PRWORA), the landmark legislation that radically reformed the welfare system, has been in a state of legislative limbo since 2002, when the law expired. Congress has been unable to agree on reauthorizing legislation. Instead, the program has been temporarily extended several times. This lack of action hinders states and localities in their long-range planning because of uncertainty regarding funding levels and program changes that may be mandated. Congress must reauthorize PRWORA now so that the progress of welfare reform may be advanced.

The Committee for Economic Development (CED) issued proposals for reform that address the major issues in the current reauthorization debate in a report, Welfare Reform and Beyond: A CED Policy Update. That report updated a previous policy statement, Welfare Reform and Beyond: Making Work Work, which provided a comprehensive analysis of the progress of welfare reform.
CED argues that welfare reform is not only a matter of economic security to millions of families working their way out of poverty and into self sufficiency; it is vitally important to the strength of our workforce. Baby-boomers are nearing retirement age, and the U.S. native-born labor force will soon stop growing. Therefore, turning welfare recipients into skilled, productive workers able to meet our future labor needs is critical for economic growth, not solely social fairness. Prompt Congressional action is required to pass reauthorization legislation that will provide states and welfare families with the flexibility and resources they need to continue the success of welfare reform.

When making improvements to welfare, lawmakers must remember that the goals of welfare reform should be to increase personal responsibility and selfsufficiency, enhance job prospects, and help families out of poverty -- not simply to reduce welfare caseloads. Because welfare is such a vital part of efforts to reduce poverty and promote broad-based economic growth, and because states must know what budgetary and programmatic changes they need to make, it is imperative that Congress pass a full reauthorization of welfare now. Below are CED's recommendations for action on the key issues in the welfare reauthorization debate.
Complete listing and access info »