Senator Todd Young addressed members of The Ripon Society during a meeting held on May 14, where he discussed the need for the United States to compete with China in areas such as trade policy, technology, and shipbuilding.
Young said these issues are critical because they shape America’s position in global affairs. He identified artificial intelligence, biotechnology, and quantum computing as key fields for geopolitical competition in the 21st century. During his remarks, Young highlighted three bills he has introduced: the Create AI Act, the Future of AI Innovation Act, and the National Quantum Innovation Initiative Reauthorization Act. These legislative efforts aim to ensure that America leads in developing and deploying new technologies.
“We are in a strategic competition — you may regard it as a race — with China to lead the world in the development, deployment, and advancement of these various technologies. …The markets will not solve this alone. We need to set the parameters,” said Senator Young.
He also addressed concerns about American shipbuilding capacity. “Last year we built one ocean-going vessel — repeat, one. China has the capacity to build over a thousand in a given year,” said Senator Young. He argued that declining commercial shipbuilding is a strategic vulnerability for national security purposes.
Young called for passage of his bipartisan SHIPS for America Act, which would set a goal of building 250 new American vessels over ten years.
Young’s background includes service as an intelligence officer in the U.S. Marine Corps and experience leading recruitment efforts before being honorably discharged as captain after ten years according to his official website. He graduated with honors from the United States Naval Academy and holds degrees from several institutions including an MBA from the University of Chicago according to his official website. Young operates offices across Indiana and Washington D.C., supports constituents through community ties, promotes conservative solutions for economic growth and national security based on his background according to his official website.
