We began the meeting by discussing some of the key issues that the working group will focus on, and identifying those currently of most interest to members. The following were identified by the group as the areas of interest. Some of these topics are more urgent with significant legislative activity, while others are less urgent at the current time, but the Council will continue to monitor legislative and other policy activity related to these topics.

We next reviewed a list of pending federal legislation for possible advocacy efforts. More details and links to additional information on each bill are provided below.

USICA/America COMPETES- Now that both the Senate and House have passed their own versions of innovation and competitiveness legislation, it is expected that a conference committee will be named to reconcile the two bills. We discussed an advocacy approach where the Council would identify top priorities within these two bills, and send a letter to conferees highlighting these priorities and encouraging their inclusion in the compromise legislation. More background on the two bills:

American Innovation and Choice Online Act, S. 2992 - This legislation was introduced by Senators Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), and Chuck Grassley (R-IA), and was passed by the Senate Judiciary Committee in January 2022. The bill aims to restore competition online by stopping dominant digital platforms from unfairly preferencing their own products and services. A Council member has asked the Council to consider a letter to the New England delegation expressing concerns about unintended consequences of this legislation, including that it would undermine US security interests, strengthen foreign rivals, and fail to provide benefits to US consumers and workers.  

American Innovation & Jobs Act, S. 749 - This legislation was introduced by Senator Maggie Hassan (D-NH) and Senator Todd Young (R-IN) in March 2021. The bill would bill reverse a change in the 2017 tax law to ensure that companies can continue to fully deduct R&D investments each year, double the refundable R&D tax credit, and extend it to more small businesses. Several Council members have flagged this bill as a priority. We are in touch with Sen. Hassan's staff to arrange a briefing on this legislation.

Make it in America Manufacturing Communities Act, H.R. 6760 - This legislation was introduced by Rep. David Cicilline (D-RI) last week. The bill would establish a Manufacturing Communities Support Program within the Department of Commerce to marshal federal resources to support American manufacturing, strengthen the domestic supply chain, and create well-paying jobs. The Council supported a similar bill introduced in 2016, and the Congressman's office has reached out to ask us to support the new version. We are in touch with Rep. Cicilline's staff to arrange a briefing on this legislation.