Washington, D.C. — Today, the New Democrat Coalition Innovation & Technology Working Group, led by Working Group Chair Sam Liccardo (CA-16), AI Task Force Chair Valerie Foushee (NC-04), and Digital Assets Task Force Chair Brittany Pettersen (CO-07), unveiled the New Dem Innovation Agenda, a roadmap of positions Congress and the Administration should adopt to unleash the full potential of American innovation.
Through the Innovation Agenda, New Dems will work to spur groundbreaking research and technological advancements that create jobs, grow businesses, and improve the lives of hardworking Americans, all while creating a regulatory environment that fosters competition and protects consumers.
“Tackling our world’s greatest challenges, such as climate change and global disease, requires a recommitment to our innate spirit of American innovation,” said New Dem Innovation and Technology Working Group Chair Sam Liccardo (CA-16). “Our agenda fuels the future with groundbreaking research, thriving businesses, and job growth, all of which help more people achieve the American dream and keep our country on the cutting edge.”
“Americans are feeling the pressure of rising costs at home while our nation faces stiff competition in the fight for global leadership in AI, automation, quantum, robotics, space, and more. Unleashing the true potential of American-led innovation means translating innovation into real benefits – and most importantly, jobs – for everyday Americans, and the New Democrat Coalition is doing just that,” said New Dem AI Task Force Chairwoman Valerie Foushee (NC-04). “As Chairwoman of the New Democrat Coalition AI Task Force, I am proud to endorse the Coalition’s Innovation Agenda which supports a federal framework for privacy and technical transparency standards. This Agenda offers a thoughtful roadmap to lower costs for Americans while ensuring equitable access to education, strengthening workforce development, expanding talent pipeline programs, and creating high-quality jobs across the country that will spur groundbreaking research, lead to new businesses and startups, and help more people achieve the American dream.”
“We need Members of Congress to bring innovative policies that are going to ensure our leadership in the technologies and jobs of the future,” said New Dem Digital Assets Task Force Chair Brittany Pettersen (CO-07). “Families are being squeezed by the rising cost of health care, housing, and the impacts of climate change. We need bold, forward-thinking solutions to meet this moment. That’s why I’m proud to be bringing forward this agenda alongside my colleagues in the Innovation & Technology Working Group to support the next generation of researchers, entrepreneurs, and problem-solvers who will drive progress and build a stronger future for our families and our kids.”
The Agenda offers a comprehensive path forward centered around seven foundational priorities: investing in American R&D; promoting smart regulations and open markets; building an inclusive and globally competitive workforce; advancing American leadership in AI; protecting online privacy; building innovation infrastructure; and promoting national resilience and responsible governance.
The document also previews next steps following the Agenda’s release, including bipartisan discussions to build on these ideas and craft legislation that advances the priorities of the Agenda and prepares America to lead the world in innovation now and into the future.
You can read the full New Dem Innovation Agenda here.