What They Are Saying: E&C Republicans Unleash Emerging Tech Agenda For 21st Century

Statement

Energy and Commerce Republicans last week unveiled 15 bills as part of the Consumer Protection and Commerce Subcommittee agenda to ensure American leadership in emerging technologies to beat China and other challenges to global competitiveness. Here's what members and stakeholders are saying about this effort.

Thomas Quaadman, executive vice president, U.S. Chamber Technology Engagement Center, U.S. Chamber of Commerce

"Artificial intelligence, blockchain, the Internet of Things, and unmanned delivery services are essential to America's economic recovery and vital to future economic growth. The Chamber applauds the leadership of Representatives Greg Walden and Cathy McMorris Rodgers for focusing on the importance of these emerging technologies. We look forward to working with Congress to advance efforts that foster innovation and affirm American leadership in this important space," said Quaadman.

Consumer Protection and Commerce Subcommittee Republican Leader Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA), author of the Generating Artificial Intelligence Networking Security (GAINS) Act (H.R. 6950)

"To maintain our global competitive edge, win the future, and beat China, it's crucial that the U.S. lead on Artificial Intelligence (AI), Quantum Computing, the Internet of Things (IoT), and other emerging technologies," said McMorris Rodgers. "As we have seen in past global crises and in recent months, the Chinese Communist Party will do whatever it takes to get ahead by stealing, cheating, and subsidizing their State-Owned Enterprises. We cannot out subsidize China or beat them at their own game, nor should we. This Global Competitive Agenda, led by the Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Consumer Protection and Commerce, incentivizes free-market American ingenuity by reducing regulatory and bureaucratic barriers for the deployment of next-gen tech. My Generating Artificial Intelligence Networking Security Act will promote American leadership and values in the development of AI," said Rodgers.

Communications and Technology Subcommittee Republican Leader Bob Latta (R-OH), author of the SMART IoT Act (H.R. 2644) and the Advancing Unmanned Delivery Services Act (H.R. 6943)

"The coronavirus pandemic has highlighted the importance of delivering goods Americans rely on directly to their homes as safely and efficiently as possible. Unmanned delivery services, including drones, robots, and autonomous vehicles, unleash the potential to ensure Americans can access necessities from the comfort of their living rooms, whenever they need them," said Latta. "These smart devices offer unique opportunities to make it easier for senior citizens, people with disabilities, people who live in remote areas, or people who cannot leave their homes to get food and medications. Analyzing the potential of unmanned delivery services and identifying regulatory obstacles will facilitate the safe incorporation of these devices into our everyday lives, and ensure the United States remains a global leader in innovation."

Oversight and Investigations Subcommittee Republican Leader Brett Guthrie (R-KY), author of the Advancing Blockchain Act (H.R. 6938) and the Countering Online Harms Act (H.R. 6937)

"Blockchain technology can be used for cryptocurrency, but it also has many other potential applications, and the Advancing Blockchain Act will allow us to explore these uses to improve our technology. The Countering Online Harms Act will help us use AI for good. Often, AI is associated with its potential for fraud and hacking, but the Countering Online Harms Act will help us better understand the extent of these problems and how we can counteract them so we can move forward with the development of beneficial new technology," said Guthrie.

Health Subcommittee Republican Leader Michael Burgess, M.D. (R-TX), author of the Advancing 3D Printing Act (H.R. 6928)

"America is the engine of innovation and investing in emerging technologies will help secure America's future," said Burgess. "One major lesson that we can take away from this Coronavirus pandemic is that we cannot wait for other countries like China to develop new technology. Facilitating 3D printing technology will continue America's leadership in the development of critical technology that is changing operations in several industries. Once again, Energy and Commerce Republicans are taking the charge to put American ingenuity first."

Energy Subcommittee Republican Leader Fred Upton (R-MI), author of the Showing How Isolationism Effects Long-Term Development (SHIELD) Act (H.R. 7005)

"Data localization laws and other protectionist regulations hurt the global economy and limit access to markets for our innovators and small businesses. The SHIELD Act will demonstrate how important cross-border data flow is to innovation, small businesses, and our economy. The Internet knows no bounds. We should not artificially place them at our borders," said Upton.

Congressman Morgan Griffith (R-VA), author of the Advancing Quantum Computing Act (H.R. 6919)

"Quantum computing offers the possibility of remarkable technological advances. The best way to guarantee that the American people benefit from the field is for America to lead the way. The Advancing Quantum Computing Act will help us understand the range of opportunities presented by quantum computing and the steps necessary to ensure American preeminence in securing them," said Griffith.

Congressman Buddy Carter (R-GA), author of the Advancing Facial Recognition Act (H.R. 6929)

"Facial recognition technology is rapidly evolving and there are rightfully privacy and other concerns. We need to stay ahead of them," said Carter. "This bill will work to provide Congress with comprehensive suggestions, risks and plans to address this technology moving forward. We know that industry is utilizing this technology and foreign actors will seek to use it against us. In Congress, and on the Energy and Commerce Committee, it's our responsibility to ensure we can protect Americans and their privacy rights while ensuring we stay ahead of foreign nations like China. We need to continue to foster American leadership in important emerging technologies."

Congressman Richard Hudson (R-NC), author of the Advancing IoT Manufacturing Act (H.R. 6939)

"Threats from the coronavirus have made advancing American manufacturing and protecting our supply chains more critical than ever before, especially for emerging technologies and internet-connected devices," said Hudson. "This crisis has shown the dangers of being too heavily reliant on countries like China for industries including manufacturing and health care. I look forward to advancing this common sense legislation in Congress."

Congressman Larry Bucshon, M.D. (R-IN), author of the Advancing New and Advanced Materials Study Act (H.R. 6927)

"Indiana is home to more than 540,000 manufacturing jobs -- contributing more than $102 billion to the gross state product. As technology continues to advance, it is important that we support the development and use of new and advanced materials in the United States to improve our competitiveness in the global marketplace, which will support our economy and national security.

"Additionally, the COVID-19 pandemic has revealed a number of vulnerabilities to the United States' manufacturing sector's supply chain, including our reliance on China. This legislation would help identify and mitigate risks to the supply chain and put forward recommendations on how to best address them and beat China, which will enable the United States to secure our economic future and maintain our leadership in emerging technology," said Bucshon.

Congressman Jeff Duncan (R-SC), author of the TELL Act (H.R. 6969)

"I recently introduced H.R. 6969, the "TELL" Act. This legislation would prevent China and their state-owned entities from storing, exposing, and transferring the personal data of American citizens without disclosure. American consumers have the right to know who has access to their data and how it's used. It's important that Congress stay up to date in the rapidly changing world of technology in order to regulate appropriately. I am proud to author this legislation and hope that because of it, Americans feel empowered to make informed decisions about the information they choose to share online," said Duncan.

Congressman Adam Kinzinger (R-IL), author of the Internet Application Integrity and Disclosure (Internet Application I.D.) Act (H.R. 6941)

"I'm proud to introduce legislation that would require more transparency from online retailers and social platforms. It's our duty to better inform the American public and protect them from threats from emerging technologies. I look forward to working with my colleagues on a legislative agenda that will better protect American lives that are impacted by the disingenuous, malign behavior by the Communist Party of China and other bad actors around the world," said Kinzinger.

Congressman Bill Johnson (R-OH), author of the Advancing Tech Startups Act (H.R. 6940)

"The Chinese coronavirus outbreak has served as a painful lesson about the importance of creating products, supply chains, and intellectual capital here at home. We simply can't rely on China -- or anyone else. And, we don't need to. While we must ensure our supply chains are resilient in a global economy, we must also be self-sufficient in critical areas. It's time to fully unleash the American spirit of innovation and entrepreneurship to ensure we are. My legislation, the Advancing Tech Startups Act, promotes a national strategy for encouraging more tech-focused startups and small businesses in all parts of the United States," said Johnson.

Congressman Greg Gianforte (R-MT), author of the Advancing Gig Economy Act (H.R. 6936)

"The agenda we've put together will ensure America remains the predominant global leader in fostering and growing emerging technology. As a tech entrepreneur and executive, I know how important American leadership is in this field. It's critical for the federal government to promote innovation and growth in the tech sector, including securing supply chains, safeguarding consumers, and using a light-touch regulatory approach," said Gianforte.

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