House Report Urges More Federal Support for Tech Research, Innovation

The U.S. should expand federal funding for technology research to help U.S. industries lead in areas such as quantum computing, artificial intelligence and biotechnology, a House subcommittee said in an Oct. 6 report. The report outlines revisions for the U.S. intelligence committee to better support U.S. innovation and research, and said the government needs to act or risk falling behind in technology competition with China.

The report, issued by the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, also said coordination between U.S. industries and the intelligence community is hampered by “necessary secrecy,” a culture that “punishes risk” and complicated government restrictions such as export controls. “The barrier to entry for companies to work with the [intelligence community] is particularly high -- potential suppliers must understand a complex web of federal contracts, acquisitions processes, and export controls, and have the necessary infrastructure in place to provide its systems, goods, or services to its government customer,” the report said.