Competition Legislation Will Boost Technological Investments and Benefit Security

SIA encourages bipartisan efforts in House and Senate to reconcile some of the significant differences between COMPETES and USICA bills.

On Feb. 4, 2022, the America COMPETES Act was passed by the U.S. House of Representatives, and the Security Industry Association (SIA) is encouraged by this important step taken by the House to address global competition and supply chain concerns that have negatively impacted the security industry in recent years. Thanks to congressional leadership by members of the House and Senate, SIA members could potentially collaborate with our agency partners to bolster federal investments in technologies that enable the U.S. and our allies to remain competitive, forward-thinking and innovative.

Both the COMPETES Act and the Senate-passed U.S. Innovation and Competition Act, known as “USICA,” contain critical provisions that allow SIA members to: seek federal funding to strengthen industry supply chain operations and position the National Science Foundation as a preeminent federal partner in fostering advancements in biometrics, cyber and artificial intelligence technologies; continue its work with the National Institute of Standards and Technology’s expanded biometrics testing programs; and leverage CHIPS Act funding to address the semiconductor shortage.

While both the House and Senate measures contain robust sections that will have a positive impact on SIA members, we strongly encourage members of the House and Senate to reconcile some of the significant differences between COMPETES and USICA during conference. Congress has a unique opportunity to work in a bipartisan manner to produce meaningful investments needed to reinforce the United States as the leader in developing cutting-edge technologies that have a material effect on our society and security. We look forward to Congress resolving these legislative differences throughout the conference stages and also look forward to these measures becoming law.

SIA will continue to provide updates to members and the industry about the specific provisions within this House bill and the Senate’s USICA legislation that will impact our industry. SIA members looking for specific guidance are encouraged to contact Joe Hoellerer, SIA’s senior manager of government relations, at jhoellerer@securityindustry.org.