Other fights are looming in Washington over the deficit, the automatic budget cuts known as sequestration, and the president's proposal for increased preschool spending, a higher minimum wage and a new commitment to infrastructure projects.
This matters because while public (that is, government-directed) spending on R&D only comprises around a third of the total spend, industry needs a firm commitment to infrastructure from the public purse to continue to invest.
An objective consideration will show that the Keystone XL pipeline is a long term commitment to infrastructure which would enable and lock in the expansion of tar sands production and the associated climate emissions and as such, is not in the nation's interest.
The current government talks a lot about its commitment to infrastructure.
George Osborne, his predecessor, had a habit of reiterating his commitment to infrastructure without actually pushing projects to a position where construction could actually start.
Institute of Civil Engineers director general Nick Baveystock said: "It is encouraging to see further evidence of Government's commitment to infrastructure forming a central plank of the plan for growth, and the acknowledgement that a more efficient planning system that builds confidence within industry is crucial to achieving this vision".
A trip from Paris to Marseilles, roughly the same distance, takes three hours — a result of the French government's commitment to infrastructure.
Will McWilliams, head of government infrastructure advisory at consultant Grant Thornton, said the investment in infrastructure, including £12bn for local growth funds and the 50% increase in the Department for Transport's capital spend, had sent a "pretty strong message" about the government's commitment to infrastructure, which he welcomed as key to creating long-term economic growth.
The recently retired chief investment strategist at Deutsche Bank's DWS Securities sees a lot to like in China, including the government's commitment to infrastructure spending, some $600 billion.
This continues a trend that has been evident for some time, whereby ministers use such announcements to demonstrate their commitment to infrastructure investment.
Whitman also reaffirmed HP's commitment to infrastructure, PCs and printing, servers, storage and networking.
