Competitiveness
Tech Industry Anticipates Final Innovation Votes
     An agreement on legislation designed to maintain the United States' competitive edge in the world has given lawmakers a moment to celebrate a shared vision rather than their differences. The House passed the bill, H.R. 2272, on a 357-67 vote; the Senate is expected to debate it Friday. The measure would authorize doubled funding for federal basic research over the next seven years and aims to better prepare the next generation of scientists by authorizing funds for programs to train teachers and students in mathematics and science. The technology industry was among those celebrating the progress. Microsoft lobbyist Jack Krumholz said the bill is "a groundbreaking effort to invest in America's future as the global leader in innovation." Josh Ackil of the Information Technology Industry Council praised House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., for pushing the ideas forward as part of Democrats' innovation.

Spectrum
FCC OKs Auction Rules Despite Split On 'Open Access'
     The FCC adopted ambitious rules designed to make it easier for consumers to switch wireless carriers and for new competitors to emerge. The agency voted 5-0 for the overall rules and 4-1 to impose "open access" conditions on a portion of airwaves to be vacated by television broadcasters as they transition to digital signals. The auction must begin by Jan. 28. "This auction has the potential to unleash a new era in wireless technology," agency Chairman Kevin Martin said. The open-access conditions divided much of the communications sector and Capitol Hill in recent months. Robert McDowell, one of three Republican members, was pleased that the FCC rules would create a nationwide wireless network for emergency responders. But he said consumers could be "short-changed" by the open-access conditions. He dissented on that issue. Democratic Commissioners Jonathan Adelstein and Michael Copps also voiced reservations about the rules.

Antitrust
FCC Democrats Decry Process On Media Ownership
     The FCC's two Democratic members are accusing Republican Chairman Kevin Martin of largely excluding them from shaping 10 new reports on media ownership that could directly impact the agency's regulations. The authors and topics were selected by Martin, with the exception of one report in which Democrat Michael Copps had some input, agency sources said. But an FCC spokeswoman insisted that the Democrats were involved. "We're committed to having an open and transparent process," she said. The Democrats also are crying foul because the reports were released as Washington nears its summertime hibernation phase, when Congress is on a month-long recess. "Just when we hoped an open media-ownership process was developing here at the FCC, along comes this bucket of ice water," Copps and Jonathan Adelstein complained in a joint statement. They characterized the reports as "supposedly serious."

Lobbying
Senate Passes Bill To Overhaul Ethics, Lobbying Rules
     The Senate voted 83-14 to clear legislation that would overhaul lobbying and ethics rules. The House passed the bill earlier in the week, and it now heads to the president. In addition to banning gifts and most travel funded by lobbyists, the bill would require online disclosure by lobbyists who bundle campaign contributions for candidates, as well as disclosure of the costs and senators requesting funding for pet projects known as earmarks. Two leading presidential candidates took time away from the campaign trail to speak on the Senate floor. Barack Obama, D-Ill., said that "for too long Americans have felt their interests were drowning in a sea of lobbyist money." He praised the disclosure provision for bundling. John McCain, R-Ariz., highlighted the earmarks provision. He ultimately voted against the bill because it would not require that earmarks from conference reports be searchable online.

Security
Senate Trying To Work Out Deal On Spying Bill
     Before Congress adjourns this weekend for the rest of August, Senate Democratic leaders hope to pass a bill later to temporarily amend the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act. "We're doing our very best to come up with something" Republicans will accept, Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., told reporters. "But we want to work on this as a problem to solve, not to try to give the president some political message that he so desires of having." Reid would not discuss details of the bill. Majority Whip Richard Durbin, D-Ill., said Democrats originally intended to work with language proposed by Republicans. That bill called for giving Director of National Intelligence Mike McConnell and Attorney General Alberto Gonzalez authority to authorize wiretaps of foreigners communicating in foreign countries without first getting warrants from the FISA court. But Durbin indicated that Democrats are now crafting their own bill.

Education
Senate-Passed Tech Aspects Of Education Bill Praised
     Senate-passed higher education legislation is generating praise in the academic community for its technology provisions. On July 24, the Senate passed a bill, S. 1642, primarily focused on reforming the student loan system. Folded into the bill was one program that would provide grants to minority-serving institutions for digital and wireless network technologies. David Baime, the vice president for government relations at the American Association of Community Colleges, said "a significant number" of those minority-serving colleges are community colleges. "It's certainly a positive development." Another provision would encourage students to file electronic versions of the federal student-aid applications and phase out the printing of the full paper version. The bill further aims to help native Alaskan and Hawaiian students pursue studies that lead to careers in science, technology, engineering and mathematics. And it would expand eligibility for student grants for degrees in math and science.

Crime
Rep. Chabot's Anti-Piracy Bill Draws Criticisms
     A sweeping intellectual property measure tucked into a batch of crime-fighting bills that House Republicans authored is getting a chilly reception from some high-tech experts and advocates of "fair use" of copyrighted content. The bill would increase criminal penalties for IP crimes and for repeat offenders, and it would authorize additional resources for federal investigators and prosecutors to focus on those offenses. Derek Slater of the Electronic Frontier Foundation called the legislation "an awful idea" and said it would go further than previous efforts in boosting statutory damages for piracy by allowing penalties for each track on an album even if the copyrights aren't separately registered. The Consumer Electronics Association opposes language that would create a federal offense for attempting or conspiring to infringe on a copyright. But Mitch Glazier of the Recording Industry Association of America said he is encouraged by "all efforts" to strengthen anti-piracy protections.

Broadband
Ohio Seeks High-Speed Access For All Its Citizens
     Ohio Gov. Ted Strickland wants every county in his state to have high-speed Internet access, so last week the Democrat signed an executive order establishing a special council tasked with improving broadband accessibility. The Ohio Broadband Council also will be responsible for deploying a statewide data network and coordinating all state-funded, broadband-related activities. According to the order, private companies have not made broadband universally available on their own. The architects of the new network will have to make it accessible to state agencies in every county. In a statement, Strickland said that the new council and network are crucial parts of the solution to bridging the "digital divide" between people in Ohio with and without technology, and that the projects will make efficient and responsible use of public money.