The technology community should not count on federal legislation to keep the industry competitive, Sen. John McCain told a packed room of Washington-area technology professionals Wednesday.
McCain, R-Ariz., who spoke to the group as part of the Northern Virginia Technology Council’s speaker series, said it is unlikely Congress will pass changes to the Telecommunications Act of 1996 this session and even if it did, the rapid speed of technology development will outpace any regulations the government enacts.
“There’s no way that Congress is ever going to stay ahead of your technology,” he said.
“This bill will become an anachronism by the time we implement it and start to write regulations … as little as possible regulation is the best way to address your business.”
McCain also used the speech to push for permanent research and development tax credits.
“[We should] make tax credits for research and development permanent rather than holding you up for campaign contributions every two years,” he said. “It’s a scam. As far as I know, all 535 members of Congress support it. I haven’t met anyone who’s against it.”
