Lofgren and bipartisan coalition introduce FASTR Act to improve access to federally-funded research

WASHINGTON D.C. – U.S. Representative Zoe Lofgren (D-San Jose) and a bipartisan coalition of members of the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives today introduced the Fair Access to Science and Technology Research (FASTR) Act, a bill to improve public access to federally-funded research.

The FASTR Act's introduction coincides with "Sunshine Week," a movement to highlight the need for transparency and openness from the federal government.

"Federal funding supports researchers and scientists hard at work every day, and when this information is shared openly with the public, it is a powerful building block for future discoveries," Rep. Lofgren said. "Transparent and increased public access can accelerate breakthroughs, encourage collaborative research, and lead to faster commercialization and untold benefits for the public, our economy, and our competitive advantage as a nation."

"Improving public access to federally-funded research is good government and is the right thing to do," Sen. Cornyn said. "There is no reason why taxpayers should not have prompt, easy access to the research they themselves have helped fund.

"American taxpayers fund billions in research that unlocks breakthroughs in technology, science, medicine and dozens of other disciplines," Sen. Wyden said. "By taking that research out from behind paywalls and making it accessible to all Americans, the FASTR Act will promote new innovations and give America a better return on its investment."

"I'm proud to reintroduce FASTR with my colleagues," Rep. Doyle said. "This bill would give the American people greater access to the scientific research they've already paid for. That's only fair. In addition, FASTR would facilitate the dissemination of new knowledge within the scientific community, which I believe would accelerate innovation and economic growth. I believe that Open Access policies like this can be instrumental in expanding U.S. leadership in science going forward."

"This bill takes meaningful steps to improve transparency and accountability in the federal government," Rep. Yoder said. "It will not only bring easier access to federally-funded research, but will also help ensure that our taxpayer dollars are getting their highest possible return on investment."