WASHINGTON, D.C. – The American Edge Project, a coalition of two dozen domestic organizations, released the following statement ahead of the President’s State of the Union Address urging lawmakers to combat China’s growing influence by supporting U.S. innovation.
“China is America’s greatest economic and national security threat. We can’t afford to sit idly by as the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) aggressively works to export its anti-democratic values around the world and to displace the United States as the global tech leader,” said Doug Kelly, CEO of the American Edge Project. “It is imperative that President Biden use the State of the Union to rally America’s elected leaders behind a unified effort to combat China’s growing tech influence by strengthening America’s competitive edge.”
Yesterday, former White House Counterterrorism and Homeland Security Advisor Frances Townsend; retired four-star General Joseph F. Dunford Jr.; and former Deputy Director and Acting Director of the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), Michael J. Morell penned an op-ed for The Washington Times arguing that elected leaders must renew their focus on promoting U.S. innovation and championing our domestic private sector innovators if we are to maintain our economic preeminence and combat the threat posed by China. The op-ed can be found here.
BACKGROUND
The American Edge Project is a coalition of domestic organizations representing a cross-section of U.S. innovators who are dedicated to telling the story about technology’s positive influence on America’s economy and the vital role innovation plays in our society. Former New Mexico Governor Susana Martinez, former U.S. Representative Chris Carney, and former Federal Election Commission (FEC) Chairman Bradley A. Smith are directors of the American Edge Project. AEP’s National Security Advisory Board is comprised of Former White House Counterterrorism and Homeland Security Advisor Frances Townsend; retired four-star General Joseph F. Dunford Jr., United States Marine Corps (USMC), who served as former Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff; and former Acting Director of the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), Michael J. Morell. Former U.S. Senators Saxby Chambliss (R-GA) and Kent Conrad (D-ND) serve as Co-Chairs of the Project’s Economic Advisory Board. Former U.S. Representative Greg Walden (R-OR) serves as the Chair of the Project’s Open & Accessible Internet Advisory Board. Visit AmericanEdgeProject.org for more information.
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