Huge Crowds Flocked to CES, but Shutdown Kept Most Federal Officials Home

Speakers including Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao, FCC Chairman Ajit Pai and NTIA Administrator David Redl canceled appearances. Pai also was a no-show last year because of security concerns. In past years, a full slate of FCC and FTC commissioners spoke. A few government speakers, including from NSA and NASA, showed up. CES’ annual drone panel (see 1901100025) took place Thursday with no one from the FAA or Department of Transportation.

“It’s a good thing when federal officials can come and see the newest and latest technology,” Michael Petricone, CTA senior vice president-government and regulatory affairs, told us. “The main concern is the impact on the functioning of the nation and people who rely on open government.” Some 60,000 international visitors attended, Petricone said. “To have them come to a country that is not fully functioning is a little bit embarrassing.”

Former Rep. Darrell Issa, R-Calif., a consumer electronics entrepreneur before he entered Congress and a onetime CTA chairman, told us this was his 37th CES. It has "been underrepresented by members of Congress and some parts of the executive branch for decades” while a few agencies like the FCC normally attend in force, he said. “I would rather have a lot more [government] people here, not just as observers,” he said. “Congress could learn a great deal by being here,” he said. “The executive branch could learn a great deal by being more involved.”

DOT, the Commerce Department and Energy Department were scheduled to send top officials who didn’t come, but other agencies weren’t attending anyway, Issa said. “This is an example of a show that has always been underrepresented by government.” Issa predicted the shutdown will be over soon, despite an unsuccessful meeting Wednesday between Democratic leaders in the House and Senate and President Donald Trump. In the next few days, there was little sign of a quick end to the impasse (see 1901100048). Lobbyists here said chances may be improving for a reopening, now that the shutdown is in record territory, as of midnight Friday.

Bad Timing

Attendees and exhibitors were miffed by government official's absence. They said the show still went on for industry.

Dmitry Skotnikov, partner at Global Energy Transmission, said the timing is unfortunate. His company was showing a wireless charging system for drones, installed on the show floor under special temporary authority. The shutdown meant no FCC officials would come by to examine the technology while it was on display in Las Vegas, he said.

Scott Drennan, Bell vice president-innovation, said he's on advisory boards for the FAA and NASA and has lots of contact with federal officials. But the shutdown affected the conference for him. “I did have a lot of plans with them for CES and the furlough affected some of my colleagues both at NASA and the FAA,” he said. Bell showed one of the biggest new things at CES -- a prototype flying car. “I wanted them to celebrate,” Drennan said. “They’ve been a part of thinking about this vehicle. I wish they were here.”

Amy Ford, Colorado Department of Transportation chief-advanced mobility, said all levels of government need to be involved to move new technology like smart transportation forward. “It’s indicative of the levels of government that need to be involved,” she said. Government agencies need “to be able to translate what’s happening,” she said. She called the closure “unfortunate.”

John Godfrey, Samsung senior vice president-public policy, was the first CES policy speaker to complain about the shutdown's effects. “The first thing we need to do in public policy is get public policy moving again,” he said. “It’s a very challenging time in Washington, D.C.” The U.S. is in a leading position on 5G and connected vehicles “and we need to stay that way,” Godfrey said.

Record Length

The partial shutdown reached its 21st day Friday and appeared on track to on Saturday break the shuttering length record set during the 1995-96 hiatus. The FCC's closure also prompted complaints late last week from tech associations (see 1901110017) and from a wireless charger maker (see 1901110023).

The House passed the last of four bills Friday aimed at restoring funding to federal agencies affected by the shutdown. The Senate adjourned Thursday and is unlikely to consider them when the chamber returns Monday. President Donald Trump told reporters he remains prepared to declare a national emergency to use DOD funds to fund a wall on the U.S.-Mexico border if he can't get an agreement from congressional Democrats.

Both chambers approved the Government Employee Fair Treatment Act. S-24 ensures all furloughed federal employees will be paid “at the earliest date possible after the lapse in appropriations ends, regardless of scheduled pay dates.” Trump said he would sign the legislation. Sen. Rob Portman, R-Ohio, and eight other Republicans filed the End Government Shutdowns Act Friday in a bid to forestall a future closure. The bill would automatically ensure a continuing resolution to temporarily fund the government is in place when negotiations to pass regular federal spending bills falter.

Wiley Rein postponed until further notice a planned Thursday event on this year's World Radiocommunication Conference, which was to include NTIA's Redl, FCC International Bureau Chief Tom Sullivan and NTIA International Spectrum Policy Division Chief Charles Glass. FCBA announced a Wednesday happy hour where government workers will get discounted drinks all night. CTIA's Tom Power will DJ and tend bar.