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Nature 448, 524 (2 August 2007) | doi:10.1038/448524a; Published online 1 August 2007

Party of One Making room for dissent

David Goldston1

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Washington has reached an easy consensus on the need to train more scientists and engineers but, argues David Goldston, the United States needs to consider a broader approach to combat global competition.

Congress is an institution that tends to thrive on conventional wisdom. That may, in part, reflect the types of people it attracts — 'maverick' is not usually a term of affection on Capitol Hill — but the trait is also inherent in a body that has to reach broad consensus to get anything done.