White House Office of Science and Technology Policy Director nominee Kelvin Droegemeier outlined his vision for the office to maintain a leadership role on spectrum policy, cybersecurity and emerging tech issues during President Donald Trump's administration. He said during a Thursday Senate Commerce Committee hearing he aims to ensure “continued American leadership in science and technology.” Members' questioned Droegemeier on OSTP's future role in the administration, as expected (see 1808220036). Most of the interest was on the office's function in science policymaking.

White House Office of Science and Technology Policy Director nominee Kelvin Droegemeier outlined his vision for the office to maintain a leadership role on spectrum policy, cybersecurity and emerging tech issues during President Donald Trump's administration. He said during a Thursday Senate Commerce Committee hearing he aims to ensure “continued American leadership in science and technology.” Members' questioned Droegemeier on OSTP's future role in the administration, as expected (see 1808220036). Most of the interest was on the office's function in science policymaking.

White House Office of Science and Technology Policy Director nominee Kelvin Droegemeier is likely to face questions during a Thursday Senate Commerce Committee hearing on how he thinks the office can shape tech policymaking in President Donald Trump's administration, lawmakers and tech sector officials said in interviews. Officials are optimistic OSTP can still be influential in policymaking despite misgivings about the amount of time it took Trump to staff it (see 1704210055 and 1801180055). Trump nominated Droegemeier, vice president-research and professor of meteorology at University of Oklahoma and Oklahoma cabinet secretary of science and technology, earlier this month, more than a year and a half after John Holdren stepped down at the end of President Barack Obama's administration.

White House Office of Science and Technology Policy Director nominee Kelvin Droegemeier is likely to face questions during a Thursday Senate Commerce Committee hearing on how he thinks the office can shape tech policymaking in President Donald Trump's administration, lawmakers and tech sector officials said in interviews. Officials are optimistic OSTP can still be influential in policymaking despite misgivings about the amount of time it took Trump to staff it (see 1704210055 and 1801180055). Trump nominated Droegemeier, vice president-research and professor of meteorology at University of Oklahoma and Oklahoma cabinet secretary of science and technology, earlier this month, more than a year and a half after John Holdren stepped down at the end of President Barack Obama's administration.

The Senate could pass an autonomous driving bill if compromise can be reached on objections from Democrats, Senate Commerce Committee Chairman John Thune, R-N.D., told reporters after a field hearing at the Washington Auto Show. The American Vision for Safer Transportation Through Advancement of Revolutionary Technologies (AV Start) Act passed the committee in October (see 1710040063), but Democratic Sens. Richard Blumenthal, Conn., Ed Markey, Mass., and Dianne Feinstein, Calif., blocked S-1885’s move to the floor over concerns it doesn’t adequately protect driver safety.

The Senate could pass an autonomous driving bill if compromise can be reached on objections from Democrats, Senate Commerce Committee Chairman John Thune, R-N.D., told reporters after a field hearing at the Washington Auto Show. The American Vision for Safer Transportation Through Advancement of Revolutionary Technologies (AV Start) Act passed the committee in October (see 1710040063), but Democratic Sens. Richard Blumenthal, Conn., Ed Markey, Mass., and Dianne Feinstein, Calif., blocked S-1885’s move to the floor over concerns it doesn’t adequately protect driver safety.

The Senate could pass an autonomous driving bill if compromise can be reached on objections from Democrats, Senate Commerce Committee Chairman John Thune, R-N.D., told reporters after a field hearing at the Washington Auto Show. The American Vision for Safer Transportation Through Advancement of Revolutionary Technologies (AV Start) Act passed the committee in October (see 1710040063), but Democratic Sens. Richard Blumenthal, Conn., Ed Markey, Mass., and Dianne Feinstein, Calif., blocked S-1885’s move to the floor over concerns it doesn’t adequately protect driver safety.

IoT and other emerging technologies are a double-edged sword for U.S. cybersecurity, industry experts told the Senate Commerce Committee Wednesday. Such technologies, if not properly secured, can be a significant cyber vulnerability for U.S. companies, particularly given the growing cyber capabilities of China and Russia, the experts said. Blockchain and other emerging technologies also could be a major boon in enhancing the U.S.' overall cybersecurity, they said. The Senate Commerce hearing, one of two Wednesday (see 1703210064), was part of committee Chairman John Thune's, R-S.D., ongoing series exploring aspects of emerging technologies, said a Senate Commerce aide.

IoT and other emerging technologies are a double-edged sword for U.S. cybersecurity, industry experts told the Senate Commerce Committee Wednesday. Such technologies, if not properly secured, can be a significant cyber vulnerability for U.S. companies, particularly given the growing cyber capabilities of China and Russia, the experts said. Blockchain and other emerging technologies also could be a major boon in enhancing the U.S.' overall cybersecurity, they said. The Senate Commerce hearing, one of two Wednesday (see 1703210064), was part of committee Chairman John Thune's, R-S.D., ongoing series exploring aspects of emerging technologies, said a Senate Commerce aide.

IoT and other emerging technologies are a double-edged sword for U.S. cybersecurity, industry experts told the Senate Commerce Committee Wednesday. Such technologies, if not properly secured, can be a significant cyber vulnerability for U.S. companies, particularly given the growing cyber capabilities of China and Russia, the experts said. Blockchain and other emerging technologies also could be a major boon in enhancing the U.S.' overall cybersecurity, they said. The Senate Commerce hearing, one of two Wednesday (see 1703210064), was part of committee Chairman John Thune's, R-S.D., ongoing series exploring aspects of emerging technologies, said a Senate Commerce aide.