Bill Gates testified Wednesday before the U.S. House Committee on Science and Technology, on the committee’s 50th anniversary, on the future of U.S.’s competitiveness and position as world innovation leader. As always, Gates reinforced the necessity to improve science and math programs for schools, as well supporting technology through better investments.

At the same time, Gates called for an immigration reform that would allow high skilled workers to remain in the United States as part of his four-step program to help the U.S. maintain its position as innovation leader: revamping immigration rules for highly skilled workers, so that U.S. companies can attract and retain the world’s best scientific talent.

“At a time when talent is the key to economic success, it makes no sense to educate people in our universities, often subsidized by U.S. taxpayers, and then insist that they return home,” Gates said in a press release.  “To address the shortage of scientists and engineers, we must … reform our educational system and our immigration policies.”

The other three point of his proposal included strengthening educational opportunities for American students, offering them the possibility to succeed in the technology and information-driven technology; increasing federal funding for basic scientific research, for the next generation of innovators; and providing incentives for private sectors R & D, to help American businesses stay at the top of the list in developing new technologies.

Gates appealed to the Congress help to keep U.S. at the center of innovation for present and future times: “Without leadership from Congress and the president … and commitment of the private sector to do its part, the center of progress will shift to other nations that are more committed to the pursuit of innovation,” said Gates.