State of The Nation

R&D Investment Chart : Shows how the US compares to other leading countries in research and development spending as a percentage of GDP. This visualizes how countries like South Korea and Israel are outspending the US proportionally while the US federal R&D funding stands near a 60-year low when measured as a share of the overall economy Economicstrategygroup   US Science and Technology Competitiveness: Progress and Challenges in a Global Race  April 3, 2025 The United States finds itself at a critical juncture in the global race for scientific and technological supremacy. Recent legislation and executive actions have attempted to reverse decades of declining international competitiveness, but experts warn that significant challenges remain as other nations continue to aggressively invest in their STEM ecosystems. CHIPS and Science Act Shows Early Progress The landmark CHIPS and Science Act of 2022, which allocated $54 billion for domestic semiconductor manufactur...

  Trump's Executive Order on Proof of Citizenship for Voting Sparks Legal Battles President Donald Trump signed an executive order last week requiring proof of citizenship for voter registration in federal elections, a move that has triggered immediate legal challenges while revealing a complex landscape of public opinion on voter identification requirements. The Executive Order's Provisions The order, titled "Preserving and Protecting the Integrity of American Elections," directs the Election Assistance Commission to update the federal voter registration form to require documentary proof of U.S. citizenship, such as a passport or certain driver's licenses, for those registering to vote in federal elections . The order also aims to prevent states from counting mail-in ballots received after Election Day, even if postmarked by that date, and threatens to withhold federal funding from states that don't comply with these directives. Currently, federal l...