As 2023 rapidly comes to a close, Glen Echo Group experts are reflecting on the biggest tech policy events of the past year as we look ahead to 2024. Despite what felt like constant chaos in Congress this past year, we saw several legislators in both chambers of Congress taking up tech policy regulations on a wide range of issues.

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In the second in a series of posts on tech policy predictions, Vice President Davey McKissick breaks down the bills and the strange bedfellows in Congress, and makes predictions for the future of tech policy at the federal level.

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‍Davey McKissick is a vice president at the Glen Echo Group, where he works with clients of all sizes to craft and execute full-service public affairs campaigns―including coalition leadership, earned and paid media strategy/analysis and navigating an increasingly partisan federal political environment. Davey is a veteran Democratic campaign professional, having worked for Hillary for America, the 2016 Democratic National Convention in Philadelphia and the 2012 Obama-Biden re-election at the Democratic National Committee.

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What issues in particular are receiving the most attention?

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Congress has a growing tech agenda, which spans from content moderation to intellectual property to artificial intelligence (AI). AI remains the loudest issue on Capitol Hill, with Leader Schumer holding forums with industry and civil society leaders on the future of the technology and the necessary guardrails to protect against potential harms. With multiple hearings and bills under consideration, the conversation and deliberation on AI will remain a prominent issue for legislators.
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There are also active debates on content moderation online, tech competition, encryption, cybersecurity, online privacy for children and adults and the ongoing work to expand broadband access to every American. These have all been discussed during multiple Congresses and will continue to be the subject of heated debate moving into 2024 and beyond.

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Which policymakers have been the most active in trying to pass tech policy regulations?

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There are several members on Capitol Hill who are lead sponsors on tech legislation, and some of these leaders have either retired early this year or plan to retire after their current term. This could, and likely will, shake up the dynamics in Congress, especially given the tight margins in the House.

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Senate

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• Chuck Schumer (D-NY): Schumer has convened multiple forums with industry and civil society on artificial intelligence.
• Amy Klobuchar (D-MN): Klobuchar has sponsored legislation on tech competition and technology and journalism.
• Chuck Grassley (R-IA): Grassley has sponsored legislation on tech competition.
• Lindsey Graham (R-SC): Graham has sponsored legislation on privacy and encryption.
• Richard Blumenthal (D-CT): Blumenthal has sponsored legislation on privacy and encryption.

• Dick Durbin (D-IL): Durbin has sponsored legislation on content moderation and child safety online.
• Ed Markey (D-MA): Markey has sponsored legislation on children’s privacy online.
• Bill Cassidy (R-LA): Cassidy has sponsored legislation on children’s privacy online.
• Marsha Blackburn (R-TN): Blackburn has sponsored legislation on children's safety online.

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‍House

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• David Cicilline (D-RI): Cicilline has sponsored legislation on tech competition. Cicilline retired from Congress earlier this year.

• Ken Buck (R-CO): Buck has sponsored legislation on tech competition. Buck has indicated he will retire at the end of his current term.
• Sylvia Garcia (D-TX) Garcia has sponsored legislation on privacy and encryption.
• Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA): McMorris Rodgers has sponsored legislation on online data privacy.
• Anna Eshoo (D-CA): Eshoo has sponsored legislation on online data privacy. Eshoo announced in late November that she will not run for reelection next year.

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What do we expect to see in federal tech policy in 2024? What do you think is the most likely to pass, and what do you expect to stall?

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Heading into a presidential electoral year, historically Congress has seen less activity. In 2024, it’s likely Congress will fall into a similar cycle, leaving a lot of the technology issues before Congress left unresolved until the new 119th Congress begins in January 2025.
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That said, Congress will continue to work next year, and there are several currently debated issues that may find resolution and head to the president’s desk for signature. These include:

• Comprehensive online privacy legislation
• Spectrum auction authority reauthorization
• Artificial intelligence regulation

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With all the dysfunction in Congress, it can be hard to know where to look. But things are happening even when it seems like they are not, and it’s important to track fast-moving tech policy issues closely. Contact us if there are issues you have questions about. And keep an eye out for the final post in our series, which zooms out even further to make predictions for the future of tech policy in the EU.

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