House Democrats Form High Tech Advisory Group

(June 13, 1999) House Democratic Leader Richard Gephardt announced the formation of an Advisory Group on High-Tech Issues on June 10. The group will be chaired by Rep. Zoe Lofgren and Rep. Anna Eshoo, both from Silicon Valley.

The formation of the group follows criticisms from industry groups and Republican Senators and Representatives that the small numbers of Democrats supporting Year 2000 litigation reform legislation demonstrates that the Republicans are more supportive of high tech.

Rep. Anna Eshoo (D-CA)

"Anna and Zoe are two of the most knowledgeable members of Congress on high-tech issues," said Rep. Gephardt in a press release. "As Representatives whose districts encompass Silicon Valley - the high-tech heartland of America's technology industry - both Anna and Zoe have been great champions of the issues of importance to this industry and their most effective advocates. In recognition of their efforts, Representatives Eshoo and Lofgren were recently honored by the Business Software Alliance with the Cyber Champion Award for their continued leadership on high-tech public policy issues."

The new group is comprised of Zoe Lofgren (D-CA), Anna Eshoo (D-CA), Bob Matsui (D-CA), Howard Berman (D-CA), Rick Boucher (D-CA), Cal Dooley (D-CA), Maxine Waters (D-CA), Lloyd Doggett (D-CA), Marty Meehan (D-CA), Loretta Sanchez (D-CA), Adam Smith (D-CA), Ellen Tauscher (D-CA), Brian Baird (D-WA), Rush Holt (D-NJ), Jay Inslee (D-WA), and David Wu (D-OR).

Whatever the merits of Republican claims may be, Rep. Zoe Lofgren (D-CA) (web site | bio) and Rep. Anna Eshoo (D-CA) are two of high tech's most active and supportive Representatives, as measure by Tech Law Journal's Congressional Scorecard 1998.

Rep. Eshoo was a sponsor and key promotor of the Securities Litigation Uniform Standards Act (SLUSA), which became law last year. This law is intended to decrease the number of frivolous class action lawsuits brought against high tech companies. She also was involved in passage of a bill last year affecting the use of digital signatures in dealings with the government. This year she is sponsoring another bill (HR 1320) that would provide for the acceptance of digital signatures in private contracts.

Rep. Lofgren was the lead cosponsor of the SAFE Act in the 105th Congress. She is again the lead cosponsor in this Congress. This bill (HR 850) would liberalize encryption export restraints, prevent the government from mandating key escrow, and guarantee all Americans the right to use any encryption product.

Zoe Lofgren

Rep. Lofgren is also supporting and pushing for a floor vote on an R&D tax credit bill. She is also an active supporter of the FCC's e-rate program.

Rep. Gephardt also stated that "Democrats have been long-time supporters of the high-tech industry and represent districts in which high-tech industry is flourishing. By investing in the science, technology, and people that have been the catalysts of technological innovation, Democratic policies have helped make the U.S. high-tech industry a world leader."

"Each day we become more aware of the significant role the high-tech industry plays in our society. Nearly 40% of new job growth in the economy can be attributed to this sector. In order to foster continued growth, Washington must promote policies that allow this industry to reach its full potential and continue its international leadership. This Advisory Group will play a crucial role in ensuring that the tech agenda remains at the top of the Democratic agenda."

Rep. Gephardt's press release was silent on what bills or policies the Advisory Group or the House Democratic leadership would support. No one from Rep. Gephardt's office returned phone calls from Tech Law Journal.