U.S. Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA) on Aug. 28 proposed a bipartisan bill that would establish and maintain the United States as a leader in emerging technologies.
Rep. McMorris Rodgers sponsored the American Competitiveness on More Productive Emerging Tech Economy (COMPETE) Act, H.R. 8132, which would require the Federal Trade Commission and the U.S. Commerce Secretary to conduct studies and submit reports on the impact of artificial intelligence (AI) and other technologies on U.S. businesses conducting interstate commerce, according to the congressional record bill summary.
“To maintain our global competitive edge, win the future, and beat China, it’s crucial that the U.S. lead on AI, quantum computing, the Internet of Things (IoT), and other emerging technologies,” said Rep. McMorris Rodgers.
If enacted, H.R. 8132 would incentivize free-market American ingenuity by reducing regulatory and bureaucratic barriers to the development and deployment of next-gen technologies, according to a bill summary provided by the congresswoman’s office.
Specifically, H.R. 8132 is a package of eight bills introduced in May that collectively would help develop strategies toward enhancing U.S. competitiveness, and ensuring the security of U.S. supply chains, according to the summary.
H.R. 8132 includes the Generating Artificial Intelligence Network Security (GAINS) Act, H.R. 6950, sponsored by Rep. McMorris Rodgers; the SMART IoT Act, H.R. 2644, and the Advancing Unmanned Delivery Services Act, H.R. 6943, both sponsored by U.S. Rep. Bob Latta (R-OH); the Advancing Quantum Computing Act, H.R. 6919, sponsored by U.S. Rep. Morgan Griffith (R-VA); the Advancing IoT Manufacturing Act, H.R. 6939, unveiled by U.S. Rep. Richard Hudson (R-NC); the Advancing 3D Printing Act, H.R. 6928, sponsored by U.S. Rep. Michael Burgess (R-TX); the Advancing New and Advanced Materials Act, H.R. 6927, proposed by U.S. Rep. Larry Bucshon (R-IN); and both the Advancing Blockchain Act, H.R. 6938, and the Countering Online Harms Act, H.R. 6937, proposed by U.S. Rep. Brett Guthrie (R-KY).
Among the 13 cosponsors joining Rep. McMorris Rodgers in introducing the package are Reps. Burgess, Latta, and Bucshon, as well as U.S. Reps. Greg Walden (R-OR), Fred Upton (R-MI), Buddy Carter (R-GA), and Bobby Rush (D-IL).
“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,” said Rep. McMorris Rodgers. “We cannot out subsidize China or beat them at their own game, nor should we.”
H.R. 8132 has been referred for consideration to the U.S. House Energy and Commerce Committee.