Bacon sponsors bill establishing Executive Branch-level tech council

A national Technology Competitiveness Council (TCC) would be established under bipartisan legislation sponsored on June 13 by U.S. Rep. Don Bacon (R-NE) that seeks to secure the United States as the global genesis of cutting-edge technological innovation while simultaneously protecting the American technology market from adversarial competitors.

“We cannot afford to remain stagnant as foreign actors attempt to surpass our nation through intellectual theft, electronic supply chain monopolies and advancements in artificial intelligence capabilities,” Rep. Bacon said. “This council will help to secure our nation as a global leader, ensuring we are prepared to defend the nation and our businesses.”

Rep. Bacon introduced H.R. 8027 with three original cosponsors, including U.S. Rep. Conor Lamb (D-PA), to establish the TCC within the Executive Office of the President to develop a national technology strategy and synchronize policy and budgets to meet the vision of that strategy, according to a bill summary provided by Rep. Bacon’s staff.

The National Security Commission on Artificial Intelligence, which spurred introduction of H.R. 8027, in a recent report recommended establishing a national TCC to pursue advancements in artificial intelligence; the integration of electronic systems within the U.S. Department of Defense; and the revision of intellectual property policy among other considerations to address major concerns regarding the state of the nation’s technological innovations in relation to national security.

At the commission’s recommendation, H.R. 8027 proposes that such a council be created to better align national interests in technological innovation with economic resources, policy creation and revision, and international cooperation, the summary says, noting that the council also would be tasked with considering technological research and development, commercial interests and their relation to national security. 

“The significance of this council and its ability to foster innovation between the federal government and the private sector cannot be understated,” added Rep. Bacon.