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Representative Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) and Representative Michael McCaul (R-TX) started the Congressional High Tech Caucus at the start of the 110th Congress in 2007. As representatives of growing high sectors, they share the mutual goal of ensuring that the United States remains at the forefront of emerging technologies and high tech industries. The Caucus strives to strengthen relations between Members of Congress and those involved in the tech industry by providing a forum for dialogue on issues of interest. The High Tech Caucus gives industry leaders, university and private researchers and interested groups the ability to share their ideas to improve our high tech sector, expand job growth and improve American competitiveness. The Caucus held three events in 2007 on topics that were pending in Congress, including:
Patent Reform: The Caucus organized an industry panel discussion to examine the opposing sides of the debate. It was the first time the two sides came together in the same forum to debate the patent reform bill. The House of Representatives passed the Patent Reform bill on Sept. 7, 2007.
White Spaces Spectrum: The Caucus brought in Congressmen Rush and Congressmen Inslee to present their opposing bills, followed by an industry panel discussion to examine the opposing sides of the debate. With the transition from analog to digital television, some tech companies want to use the newly empty “white spaces” spectrum on an unlicensed basis for handheld devices. However, some believe that this would increase the risk of interference between the new devices and broadcasters' and wireless microphone signals.
CyberSecurity: The Caucus organized a demonstration and presentation of the dangers that cyber threats pose to our homeland and financial security. Proposed legislative solutions were also discussed. The High Tech Caucus is also planning a Nanotechnology Trade Fair on Capitol Hill on Feb. 28 to demonstrate to Congress the everyday uses and importance of nanotechnology in our lives and economy. In addition, the Caucus is looking to organize events next year on STEM education, Green Technology and other areas where the legislative process and the needs of the high tech industry intersect.
Current Membership of the Caucus (54): Reps. Gillibrand, McCaul, Bilbray, Issa, Sessions, Carter, Reichert, Wu, E.B. Johnson, Honda, Barton, Hall, Inslee, Kennedy, McCotter, Brady (TX), Kuhl, Mack, Lipinski, G. Davis, Conaway, McHenry, McMorris-Rodgers, Manzullo, Shuster, Dent, Blackburn, Wolf, Cantor, Sullivan, Burgess, Marchant, Camp, Feeney, Rohrabacher, Bono, Kirk, Boren, McNerney, Courtney, Eshoo, Mahoney, Melancon, Shuler, Klein, Yarmuth, Shea-Porter, Matheson, Jackson-Lee, Waxman, Lofgren, Sali, Radonovich, Richardson
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