Microsoft Corp. Chairman Bill Gates testified before the U.S. House Committee on Science and Technology on the future of innovation and U.S. competitiveness.

Gates focussed on issues of U.S. competitiveness, including education and work-force development, the need for immigration reform to allow highly skilled workers to remain in the U.S, and the need to continue to invest in basic research.

“I know we all want the United States to continue to be the world’s center for innovation. But our position as the global leader in innovation is at risk,” Gates said. “If this nation is to continue to be the global center of innovation, Congress, the current administration and the next president must act decisively.”

The other points of his proposal included strengthening educational opportunities for American students; increasing federal funding for basic scientific research; and providing incentives for private sectors R & D.