U.S. Chamber Letter to Congress Supporting H.R. 8132, the “American COMPETE Act”

The Honorable Frank Pallone
Chairman
Committee on Energy and Commerce
U.S. House of Representatives
Washington, DC 20515

The Honorable Greg Walden
Ranking Member
Committee on Energy and Commerce
U.S. House of Representatives
Washington, DC 20515

Chairman Pallone and Ranking Member Walden:

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce supports H.R. 8132, the “American COMPETE Act,” introduced by Representatives Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA) and Bobby Rush (D-IL). We applaud you considering this bipartisan legislation during your committee’s upcoming markup.

Emerging technologies including Artificial Intelligence, Internet of Things, and quantum computing promise to transform nearly every industry and provide significant benefits to millions of Americans. However, as other nations seek to be a global leader in these emerging technologies, it is critical for global competitiveness that the United States fully understands the potential opportunities and risks presented by these technologies and develops the appropriate public policy solutions to maintain American innovation leadership.

The American COMPETE Act would require the U.S. Department of Commerce and the Federal Trade Commission to conduct a series studies on several critical emerging technologies that assesses the present state of each emerging technology and any marketplace and supply chain risks. Also, the legislation would require submission of policy recommendations to
Congress to further advance these technologies, establish a national strategy, and mitigate any marketplace and supply chain risks.

This legislation is important to advance the innovative development and deployment of emerging technologies critical to continued U.S. technological leadership. We look forward to continue to work with you and your colleagues to advance this bill through the legislative process.

Sincerely,

Neil L. Bradley

cc: Members of the Committee on Energy and Commerce