The U.S. Senate voted 86-11 on May 17 to open debate on a measure authorizing more than $110 billion for basic and advanced technology research over five years in the face of rising competitive pressure from China. The Endless Frontier Act would authorize most of the money, $100 billion, to invest in basic and advanced research, commercialization of the research, and education and training programs in key technology areas like artificial intelligence (AI). Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer said the Senate will debate the bill for a week or two beginning on Tuesday. “We can either have a world where the Chinese Communist Party determines the rules of the road for 5G, AI, and Quantum Computing — or we can make sure the United States gets there first,” Schumer said, calling it a “once-in-a-generation investment in American science and American technology.” The bill under consideration includes $2 billion to boost …