Mark Muro, Andre M. Perry, Yang You, Max Niles, and Robert Maxim
On his Inauguration Day, President Joe Biden signed a wide-ranging executive order proclaiming a “whole-of-government equity agenda.” Since then, “Bidenism” has centered equity for marginalized people and underrepresented communities as a core priority of economic renewal. Accordingly, the administration has, among other moves, ordered a major equity assessment of federal agencies’ operations and launched high-profile initiatives to address discrimination in the housing market and use the government’s purchasing power to boost disadvantaged small businesses.
Yet in one important area, the push for equity has been taking place under the radar. This area is the innovation budget, where both real progress and serious failure are possible. Therefore, the nation needs a big push to prioritize the inclusive innovation agenda in Congress’ critical spending bills; namely, the Democrats’ $3.5 trillion “reconciliation” package.
Congress needs to prioritize inclusion in our slumping innovation system (brookings.edu)
