Washington, D.C. — Subcommittee on Innovation, Data, and Commerce Chair Gus Bilirakis (R-FL) delivered opening remarks at today’s Full Committee markup of 20 bills.

Excerpts and highlights below:

CEMENTING AMERICAN LEADERSHIP IN TECHNOLOGY

“I want to thank my good friend, Chair Cathy McMorris Rodgers, for her inclusion of five Innovation, Data, and Commerce Subcommittee bills on today’s markup, some of which have been introduced and circulated for years and finally are getting a vote out of committee.

“The bills we’re considering today are essential to cementing American leadership in technology and providing Americans with greater transparency regarding the websites and applications they use.

“Americans are the most innovative people in the world, and we must eliminate government barriers to ensure American innovators are empowered to push the frontiers of innovation.

“One way to do this is to encourage foreign direct investment from responsible and trusted countries.

“Another way is to increase transparency by providing consumers with the information they need to make informed decisions.

“I want to thank Mr. Pence and for his leadership on the Global Investment in American Jobs Act.

“This bill will help us understand the barriers to increasing investment from friendly nations and ultimately lead the globe in emerging technologies.

“I also want to thank my friend Ms. Cammack for her bipartisan work with Mr. Soto on the CAUTION Act, which requires app stores to clearly disclose if an app has been banned on federal devices.

“Americans should know when they are downloading an application deemed a security threat by the federal government.

“Mr. Fulcher’s Internet App ID Act would require apps to disclose if they are owned by the CCP or a business domiciled in the People’s Republic of China.

“Failure to disclose Chinese ownership would be subject to penalties enforced by the Federal Trade Commission.

“The TELL Act, introduced by Mr. Duncan, would require tech companies to notify their users if their platform stores data in the People’s Republic of China.

“If an app or website is sending or storing data in China–Americans should know it.

“As we continue to advance legislation to improve American competitiveness on the world stage, I want to reemphasize this Committee’s priority to pass a national privacy and data security law.

“We are committed to getting that legislation across the finish line.”