GOP Tech Working Group Announces Technology Accomplishments

Press Release

Today House Republican Tech Working Group Chairman Bob Goodlatte, along with Speaker John Boehner, Majority Leader Eric Cantor and Majority Whip Kevin McCarthy, announced that House Republicans have led the way in advancing issues of critical importance to our nation's high-tech competitiveness.

"The technology sector has served as the engine of America's economic growth in recent years and will play a critical role in our economic recovery," said Chairman Goodlatte. "I am pleased that the Republican-led Congress has been successful in advancing so many initiatives that are key to protecting and promoting this significant piece of our national economy. House Republicans remain focused on getting America's economy back on track and creating jobs. Passage of these policies is necessary to ensure that the U.S. continues to lead the world in innovation."

At the beginning of the 112th Congress, the House Republican Leadership joined Technology Working Group Chairman Goodlatte, in laying out guiding principles and broad policy objectives for this Congress. The resulting agenda is another example of how House Republicans are committed to creating an environment that will spur private sector job growth and rebuild our nation's economy.

"This working group has promoted policies that help keep America at the forefront of innovation and entrepreneurship," said House Speaker John Boehner. "I thank the working group for all of their efforts to help address the American people's number one priority: jobs."

"The STEM Visa legislation the House is considering this week is the latest step in our plan to not only help create jobs, but continue to help modernize our economy and maintain America as the global leader in technology and innovation," said Majority Leader Eric Cantor. "Other steps included patent reform, the JOBS Act, free trade agreements, and removing regulatory and tax burdens on small businesses. I want to thank Congressman Bob Goodlatte and the members of the High Tech Working Group for their efforts to ensure American entrepreneurs have the talent, markets and economic conditions to succeed."

"Our nation's economic success story is the product of our inherent entrepreneurial spirit that powers our free-market principles," said Majority Whip Kevin McCarthy. "These same free-market principles are the foundation of the House Republican tech agenda of lowering taxes, reforming and streamlining regulations, expanding free trade and strengthening intellectual property protections in order to spur innovation and job creation. House Republicans will add to this significant list with the STEM Jobs Act this week. I'd like to thank Congressman Goodlatte and the Republican High Tech Working Group for their leadership on these issues."

House Republicans have remained vigilant in their resolve to create jobs and foster economic growth. Below is the House Republican Technology Working Group's agenda from the 112th Congress and the corresponding legislative accomplishments:

* Spectrum - We will promote policies that expand availability of spectrum for both consumers and public safety. We will also examine the current use of spectrum to ensure it is being used as efficiently as possible. (H.R. 3630, The Middle Class Tax Relief and Job Creation Act included provisions to expedite the availability of spectrum for commercial use, signed into law on February 22, 2012.)

* Cybersecurity - We will work to enact strong cyber-security protections this Congress that focus on increasing protections in an innovative manner that allows for dynamic solutions to this dynamic problem. (H.R. 3523, the Cyber Intelligence Sharing and Protection Act, passed the House on April 26, 2012.)

* Protect American Intellectual Property - We will make sure that we promote and enforce strong copyright and patent protection laws to prevent and combat the growing trend of digital piracy. We will also modernize the patent system to allow businesses to grow and innovate without fear of frivolous lawsuits. (H.R. 1249, the America Invents Act, signed into law on September 16, 2011.)

* Promote Free and Fair Trade - In order to increase competitiveness of American companies, we will work to pass pending free trade agreements to expand market access for domestic products. (H.R. 3078, the U.S.-Colombia Free Trade Promotion Agreement Implementation Act; H.R. 3079, the U.S.-Panama Trade Promotion Agreement Implementation Act; H.R. 3080, the U.S.-Korea Free Trade Promotion Agreement Implementation Act. All three were signed into law on October 21, 2011.)

* Ensure American Access to the Best Workers -We will examine current education programs to make sure they are operating efficiently. We will also examine current visa and immigration laws to make sure we attract and retain the best and brightest minds from around the world. (H.R. 6429, the STEM Jobs Act, considered by the House on September 20, 2012.)

* Reduce Unnecessary Regulation -- We have a significant impact on economic growth and job creation. We will continue to eliminate regulations that stifle innovation. (H.R. 3606, the Jumpstart Our Business Startups (JOBS) Act, signed into law on April 5, 2012. In addition, the House has passed numerous bills to reduce burdensome regulations, including H.R. 527, the Regulatory Flexibility Improvement Act; H.R. 872, the Reducing Regulatory Burdens Act; H.R. 3010, the Regulatory Accountability Act, and many others.)

The House Republican Technology Working Group was originally formed in 1998 by then-Speaker Newt Gingrich. Under Speaker Boehner, the group is composed of Republican Members of Congress, including House Leadership, Technology Working Group Chairman Bob Goodlatte, Vice Chairmen Cathy McMorris Rodgers, Lamar Smith, and Michael McCaul, and committee chairmen which have primary jurisdiction over a wide array of technology issues.