A bipartisan group of House members has introduced legislation to bring back a version of the Office of Technology Assessment, the nonpartisan congressional science agency that lawmakers stopped funding in 1995, arguing that Congress needs its own experts as artificial intelligence and other technologies reshape the economy.
The Congressional Office of Technology Improvement and Enhancement Act was introduced Thursday by Reps. Mark Takano (D-Calif.), Sean Casten (D-Ill.), Bill Foster (D-Ill.), Don Beyer (D-Va.) and Jay Obernolte (R-Calif.), according to Takano’s office and Casten’s office. It would create an independent Congressional Office of Technology to give the legislative branch unbiased information about emerging technologies, Nextgov/FCW reported. The original office operated from 1974 to 1995.
What the sponsors say
“Congress cannot continue flying blind into the future. We must have an office of independent experts as we face important decisions to guide emerging technology,” Takano said.
Obernolte, a Republican who has worked on AI policy, said the office would provide “independent analysis, timely technical assistance, and long-term assessments of technological developments.” He added: “Modernizing these resources is critical to ensuring Congress can make informed policy decisions and develop thoughtful, evidence-based legislation that addresses complex challenges without unnecessarily hindering innovation.”
Casten said that while he is confident evaluating energy technology, “I cannot claim the same level of expertise on cybersecurity or gene-drive technologies.” Foster said that “as AI-driven technology rapidly reshapes our future, it has never been more important for Members of Congress to have access to forward-looking, non-partisan technical expertise and advice.” Beyer said the bill would “bolster Congress’ independence and knowledge in a key area for years to come.”
Outside support
The bill drew support from groups that have long pushed Congress to rebuild its in-house expertise. “More than ever, Congress needs robust, independent science and technology policy advice it can trust,” said Daniel Schuman, executive director of the American Governance Institute. Daniel Correa, chief executive of the Federation of American Scientists, said artificial intelligence “is reshaping the assumptions on which policymaking rests faster than policymakers can build their own expertise.”
The measure arrives as Congress weighs how, and whether, to regulate AI, and with a short legislative window left before the end of the session after Tuesday’s elections.
Data center disclosure bill
Also on Thursday, Rep. Eugene Vindman (D-Va.) introduced a bill that would require data center operators to disclose ownership, expected energy and water use, whether they have signed nondisclosure agreements with government officials, and whether facilities sit “within 1,000 feet of a school, national park, hospital, or home,” Nextgov/FCW reported. Operators that fail to disclose or submit misleading information could face fines of up to $1 million a day. “As data centers continue to expand across Virginia, the public needs clear, reliable information on how they impact local communities, infrastructure, and household costs,” Vindman said.
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