Tech Policy To-Do List
Now updated for 2025–2026, ITIF’s “Tech Policy To-Do List” is a knowledge base of more than 100 actionable policy ideas for Congress, the administration, and regulatory agencies to spur innovation, growth, and U.S. global competitiveness.
This list is not intended to be a comprehensive catalogue of all tech and innovation policy issues currently before policymakers in Washington. Nor should the fact that a proposal is not included here be interpreted to mean ITIF doesn’t support it. Rather, our To-Do List is intended to highlight a selection of proposals to address issues that are either particularly important or have not yet received adequate attention.
These proposals are drawn from and backed by ongoing research that ITIF analysts conduct on the host of critical issues we cover at the intersection of technological innovation and public policy. If you see an item that appears to have been overtaken by events or would benefit from an update, please send detailed suggestions about it to Randolph Court and Erica Schaffer: [email protected]; [email protected].
Knowledge Base
November 15, 2024
To Do: Pass the Privacy Enhancing Technology Research Act
Congress should pass the Privacy Enhancing Technology Research Act mandating NSF to support research into privacy-enhancing technologies and directing OSTP to coordinate efforts with other federal agencies to accelerate the technologies’ development, deployment, and adoption.
November 15, 2024
To Do: Accelerate AI Adoption in Biopharma Research
Congress should increase public funding for initiatives such as ARPA-H’s programs to enhance AI-enabled drug discovery, NIH’s Bridge2AI Program to accelerate AI adoption in biomedical research, and NSF’s TIP support of AI-enabled platforms.
November 15, 2024
To Do: Invest in AI and Data Science Training for Drug Development
Congress should invest in AI and data science training to prepare the next generation of scientists for AI-supported drug development by integrating AI into biomedical research, supporting cross-disciplinary collaboration, and establishing best practices.
November 15, 2024
To Do: Improve the Datasets Needed for Biomedical Research
Congress should fund NIH’s “All of Us” research program to improve the representativeness of datasets used in biomedical research.
September 25, 2024
To Do: Create a Super CHIPS Credit
Congress should create a Super CHIPS Tax Credit for advanced-industry R&D and production firms’ purchases of machinery, equipment, and buildings.
September 25, 2024
To Do: Expand the R&D Credit for Pre-Profit Start-Ups
Congress should expand the refundable R&D credit to allow pre-profit start-ups to cover payroll taxes.
September 24, 2024
To Do: Institute Government-Wide Training on Chinese Tech Policy
Congress should authorized funds for a government-wide training program to help U.S. officials better understand Chinese technology policy.
September 23, 2024
To Do: Promote Digital IDs
Congress should pass the Improving Digital Identity Act to coordinate a government-wide effort to promote digital identity use in the public and private sectors.
September 23, 2024
To Do: Launch a Joint Manufacturing Hub Competition With US Allies
Congress and the administration should establish a joint global manufacturing hub competition for the United States and allies to find alternatives to manufacturing in China.
September 20, 2024
To Do: Impose Reciprocal Measures on Countries that Limit Data Transfers
The administration should limit the transfer of U.S. citizens’ data to nations that limit the transfer of their citizens’ data.
