Week of November 13, 2023
The threat of a government shutdown continues to hang in the balance with just five days before federal funding runs out. House Speaker Mike Johnson has proposed a “laddered CR” to fund some parts of the government through January 19, 2024 and other parts through February 2, 2024. The plan is already facing resistance from Republican members needed to pass the measure and Democrats are not committing, so the outlook remains unclear.
In the meantime, Congress is busy as we head into the Thanksgiving recess with hearings on Antitrust Division oversight, and illicit uses of crypto as well as a markup on national security legislation. Senate HSGAC’s markup to move forward the confirmation of Harry Coker, Jr. to be the National Cyber Director. And the House Science Committee will be marking up legislation to reauthorize the National Quantum Initiative Act.
On the Administration front, President Biden will meet with Chinese President Xi Jinping in San Francisco at the APEC meeting this week. While the meeting may not resolve current trade tensions, especially related to emerging tech, it is a somewhat rare positive signal of work to maintain ties between China and the U.S. We’ll be off next week for the Thanksgiving recess, but back the following week to keep you up-to-date on the happenings on the Hill.
What We’re Watching:
Judiciary’s Antitrust Oversight Showdown: The House Judiciary Subcommittee on the Administrative State, Regulatory Reform, and Antitrust will hold an oversight hearing on Tuesday of the DOJ’s Antitrust Division. Several topics are likely to come up including the Division’s actions against big tech, as the agency’s case against Google continues. Members will likely also discuss their views of potential overreach by the agency, and Kanter’s team efforts with FTC Chair Lina Khan on competition. Also on the radar is possible discussion on competition in emerging tech, including generative AI, in which Members and agencies are beginning to consider ways to mitigate market consolidation in the growing field.
House E&C Explores AI in Telecom: After what seem like marathon AI weeks on the Hill, activity on the issue continues this week as the House Energy and Commerce Communications and Technology Subcommittee holds a hearing to examine ways to leverage AI in telecommunications. Members are likely to ask about several topics including cybersecurity, and the risks and benefits of AI in securing U.S. networks. The hearing is the third in the Committee’s new series in exploring sectoral AI uses like emerging technology and healthcare. It is likely the hearing will also touch on competition concerns against China telecom companies.
Financial Services Tackles Illicit Crypto Use: The House Financial Services Committee this week has a flurry of activity planned around national security and illicit crypto use. On Wednesday, the Digital Assets Subcommittee will examine the intersection of advances in crypto and blockchain technology and how it is being used by bad actors. Members and witnesses will also likely discuss ways in which AML/KYC laws, BSA requirements, and mitigation efforts act to deter illicit use of crypto. The full committee has noticed a markup for Tuesday morning to address a number of bills related to digital assets and national security.
What’s Happening This Week:
Tech Hearings
House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee hearing on leveraging AI in communications - Tuesday, November 14 at 10:00 AM ET
House Judiciary Subcommittee Hearing on DOJ Antitrust Division - Tuesday, November 14 at 10:00 AM ET
HFSC Markup on Illicit Finance - Tuesday, November 14 at 10:00 AM ET
House Homeland Security Subcommittee hearing on worldwide threats to the homeland - Wednesday, November 15 at 9:00 AM ET
Senate Agriculture hearing on leveraging AI in agriculture - Tuesday, November 14 at 10:00 AM ET
Senate HSGAC Markup of National Cyber Director Nomination - Wednesday, November 15 at 11:00 AM ET
Senate Foreign Relations Hearing AI and U.S. competition - Wednesday, November 15 at 10:00 AM ET
House Science Markup on NQIA - November 15 at 10:00 AM ET
HFSC Subcommittee Hearing on Illicit Crypto - Wednesday, November 15 at 2:00 PM ET
Tech Events
NAIAC Meeting - Wednesday, November 15 at 10:00 AM ET
The Cato Institute - "Being Predictive: Financial AI and the Regulatory Future" - Thursday, November 16 at 2:00 PM ET
The American Enterprise Institute for Public Policy Research - “Charting the Course for Generative AI in Education” - Tuesday, November 14 at 1:00 PM ET
The Information Technology and Innovation Foundation - “Children on Social Media and the Multistate Lawsuit Against Meta” - Wednesday, November 15 at 12:00 PM
The Information Technology and Innovation Foundation - “Agreeing to Disagree: The Need for More Interoperable Tech Policies” - Thursday, November 16 at 2:00 PM ET
The Open Markets Institute and the AI Now Institute - “AI and the Public Interest” - Thursday, November 15
Mozilla hosts an event called “Mozilla Meetups — Code to Conduct in AI: Open Source, Privacy, and More” - November 15 at 4:00 PM ET
The Washington International Trade Association - “The U.S. Walks Away from Negotiations of Key Digital Trade Rules" - Friday, November 17 at 10:00 AM ET
New America - "The Intersection of Federal Privacy Legislation and Artificial Intelligence Governance" - Wednesday, November 15 at 2:00 PM ET
The Atlantic Council - "Exploring China's Global Agenda on Spectrum Policy and 5G/6G" - Wednesday, November 15 at 1:30 PM ET
The National Cybersecurity Center of Excellence - "National Institute of Standards and Technology Cybersecurity Framework Profile Implementation" - November 16 at 2:00 PM ET
What’s Interesting This Week:
It Sounds Like You’re Underwater… On November 13, 1851, laid by British telegraphic engineer John Watkins Brett and his brother Jacob Brett, the world’s first operational underwater telegraph cable opened for business. Connecting the English city of Dover to the French city of Calais, the cable was run at the narrowest point of the English channel. With this link, communication between London and Paris was made possible.
