3. +
Congressional
Gridlock
The House remains strongly
conservative.
The Senate Democrats may have a 10
seat majority, but do not have the 60
votes necessary to beat a filibuster.
White House role and influence in
second term is limited.
460 days to midterm elections.
4. +
Policy Issues Impacting the IT
Industry
Tax Reform – last major reform: 1986
Immigration Reform – last major reform: 1986
Patent Reform – last major reform: 2011*
Cybersecurity – last major reform: 2002
5. +
Tax Reform
House and Senate committed to
comprehensive tax reform.
Impact to IT Industry: Major tax
provisions important to the IT industry
are on the table.
6. +
Immigration Reform
The Senate passed a comprehensive
immigration reform bill.
The House has introduced several
individual immigration-related bills that
will be passed in the Fall, choosing a
piecemeal approach.
Impact to IT Industry: High-tech
immigration proposals seeking to close
the skills gap remain in play in both the
House and Senate proposals.
7. +
Cybersecurity
Cybersecurity is a priority of both the
House and Senate.
The two chambers have introduced
numerous pieces of cyber-related
legislation.
The White House issued a cybersecurity
Executive Order in February.
Impact to IT Industry: Provisions
addressing cyber workforce, data breach
and notification, and data security are
being debated throughout the numerous
legislative proposals.
8. +
Patent Reform
White House issued a series of
Executive Orders and made legislative
recommendations related to patent
reform and patent litigation.
In the House and Senate, roughly ten
different pieces of legislation have been
introduced.
Impact to IT Industry: Small and
medium sized businesses continue to be
vulnerable to patent litigation; patent
reform is the only opportunity to address
these vulnerabilities.
10. +
Why Engage
The issues facing Congress will have a
significant impact on your business and
your voice is needed.
As members of the small business IT
sector, you are in a position to deliver a
unique message to Congress that
supports your priorities.
To ensure that your message and your
priorities don’t get lost in the shuffle,
engaging your Senators and
Representatives in DC is vital.
Other industries will drive policy
outcomes if the IT industry doesn’t.
11. +
How to Engage
Educate policy makers in DC and in their
district office.
Attend the CompTIA-TechVoice fly-in.
Engage on policy issues.
