What's New @ IEEE-USA - Eye On Washington

Vol. 2008, No. 14 (October 2008)

CAPITOL HILL ACTIVITY

EXECUTIVE ACTIVITY

Former IEEE-USA Government Fellow Named Chief Technologist of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC)

DHS Releases H-1B Fraud and Compliance Assessment

New Executive Assistant Director of FBI Science and Technology Branch

REPORTS & DOCUMENTS OF NOTE

U.S. STATES WATCH

AWARDS & GRANTS

CONFERENCES, FELLOWSHIPS, PROGRAMS & INTERNSHIPS FOR ENGINEERS

LATEST IEEE-USA & IEEE ACTIVITIES

CAPITOL HILL ACTIVITY

Bills Increasing Damages for Copyright Infringement & Authorizing NASA Funding Levels Become Law

After clearing both the House and Senate in the last several weeks, legislation - Enforcement of Intellectual Property Rights Act of 2008 - aimed at combating copyright infringement and increasing the damage awards imposed in counterfeiting cases, became law on Monday. The Senate passed the bill on September 26 after removing a House provision that would have allowed the Justice Department to file civil lawsuits rather than leaving it to private parties. "Intellectual property makes up some of the most valuable, and most vulnerable, property we have," said Senator Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.). "We need to do more to protect it from theft and abuse if we hope to continue being a world leader in innovation." The movie and recording industries pushed for the legislation, but several nonprofit and library groups, including the Electronic Frontier Foundation, Consumers Union and Public Knowledge, had questioned the need to give the Justice Department authority to sue.

The President also signed into law H.R. 6063 - the National Aeronautics and Space Administration Authorization Act of 2008. H.R. 6063 "sends a strong message to the next Administration that Congress believes that investing in a balanced NASA program of science, aeronautics, and human spaceflight and exploration is important and worthy of the nation's support," said House Science and Technology Committee Chairman Bart Gordon (D-Tenn.). House Subcommittee on Space and Aeronautics Chairman Mark Udall (D-Colo.) introduced the bill in May.

As an authorization bill, H.R. 6063 sets policy and FY 2009 spending ceilings only, it does not provide funding which is allocated by separate appropriations legislation. The new law authorizes $20.2 billion for NASA, including an additional $1 billion to speed development of the Constellation launch system to replace the aging space shuttle. Since Congress and the next Administration will likely fund the agency at a lower level than this authorization, the bill will have a greater impact as a policy document setting direction in areas such as science, the space station, the space shuttle, and the dissemination of research results. H.R. 6063 states:

Human and robotic exploration of the solar system is in the national interest of the United States and we should assume a leadership role in a cooperative international exploration initiative.

It is imperative that, and strategically important, for the United States develop human space flight capabilities to allow independent American access to the International Space Station, and to explore beyond low Earth orbit. A prudent steps should be taken to bring the Orion Crew Exploration Vehicle and Ares I Crew Launch Vehicle to full operational capability as soon as possible and to ensure the effective development of a United States heavy lift launch capability for missions beyond low Earth orbit.

NASA's scientific research activities have contributed much to the advancement of knowledge, provided societal benefits, and helped train the next generation of scientists and engineers, and those activities should continue to be an important priority. NASA provides an important stimulus to the next generation to pursue careers in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.

Lame Duck and Pre-Election Sessions Under Discussion

Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) is open to calling the House into session before the November election but is more likely to convene a lame duck session to work on bills that might jump-start the economy. While both options are under discussion, Pelosi is most likely to call the House back just once for a lame duck session, after the election.

House and Senate leaders have also discussed whether and when Congress should act on the $150 billion stimulus package that Pelosi has been talking about in general terms over this past week. Such a package could roll together an extension of unemployment benefits for those reaching the end of their eligibility; money for infrastructure spending to spur road and bridge construction jobs; more money for the food stamp program; and perhaps tax credits or rebates. Pelosi said House committees will hold hearings on economic stimulus proposals up to and possibly after Election Day. As for the possibility of a lame duck, she said, "We stand ready to take action when we are ready with the appropriate package to go forward." She did not go as far as to promise a lame duck session. Recalling lawmakers back from the campaign trail would be unusual and risky, since anyone worried about losing on Nov. 4 would have no incentive to work cooperatively.

Only the Senate is scheduled to be in session after the election. Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) scheduled the Senate to return the week of November 17 to deal with unfinished business.

The Recovery Bill Had Some Bright Spots

The financial recovery bill - officially titled the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act (H.R. 1424) - contained several IEEE-USA priority items. The bill, signed into law on October 2nd, included:

A 2 year seamless extension of the R&D tax credit for 2008 and 2009, and increases the Alternative Simplified Credit rate to 14% in 2009.

A PHEV/Electric Drive Credit - Plug-in electric drive vehicles with batteries of at least 4 kWh qualify for a $2,500 credit. An additional $417 is provided for each additional kWh, up to $7,500 for vehicles up to 10, 000 lbs. Vehicles up to 14,000 lbs qualify for a $10,000 credit. Vehicles between 14,000 and 26,000 lbs qualify for a $12,500 credit. Vehicles over 26,000 lbs qualify for a $15,000 credit. The credit begins to phase out after 250,000 qualifying vehicles are sold in the U.S. The credit expires at the end of 2014.

A one-year extension of the expiring renewable energy production tax credit for wind projects, and a two-year extension of production incentives for geothermal, biomass and several other energy types.

An eight-year extension of credits for investments in residential and commercial solar projects, and various other incentives for energy-efficient homes and buildings, plug-in vehicles, biofuels, advanced coal projects and other technologies. Removes a $2,000 cap on the size of the residential credit.

...No Light at The End Yet But GAO Watchdogs Are Monitoring Financial Rescue

The above mentioned $700 billion Treasury Department program also gave the independent Government Accountability Office (GAO) a central role in overseeing efforts to stabilize the economy. The agency is carefully looking for any contractual conflicts of interest as the US government shores up the financial industry through the purchase of troubled assets and other market interventions. The GAO has approximately 20 employees overseeing the Troubled Asset Relief Program, said Acting Comptroller General Gene Dodaro after a joint staff briefing between the GAO and the House Financial Services Committee. That number could grow through the use of independent contractors if necessary, Dodaro said.

Some lawmakers have already expressed strong concerns about some aspects of the program, including potential conflicts of interest among those hired to manage it, and limits on executive compensation that many in Congress want to see imposed on companies that benefit from the bailout. The GAO is required to report to Congress every 60 days on the program's performance. Dodaro said the GAO was ready to provide an oversight report before that deadline in light of a $250 billion injection of federal money into banks announced this week.

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EXECUTIVE ACTIVITY

Former IEEE-USA Government Fellow Named Chief Technologist of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC)

The FCC named Jon M. Peha, Ph.D. as Chief Technologist. He will serve as a senior advisor on communications technology in the FCC's Office of Strategic Planning and Policy Analysis. FCC Chairman Kevin Martin praised Dr. Peha for his expertise in the area of communications technology, saying, "Jon brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to the Commission and I am pleased he has agreed to join us as Chief Technologist. I am confident that Dr. Peha's expertise will be beneficial to the Commission as it moves forward to address numerous complex, technical issues."

In 1999, Dr. Peha served as an IEEE-USA Congressional Fellow, where he worked on the democratic staff of the House Commerce Subcommittee on Telecommunications. Currently, Dr. Peha is a Professor in the Departments of Engineering and Public Policy, and Electrical & Computer Engineering at Carnegie Mellon University (CMU). He also serves as the Associate Director of the Center for Wireless and Broadband Networking at CMU.

Prior to joining CMU's Department of Engineering and Public Policy, Dr. Peha served as the Chief Technical Officer of three high-tech start-ups and as a member of the technical staff at SRI International, AT&T Bell Laboratories and Microsoft. His research interests include technical and policy issues related to computer and telecommunications networks. Dr. Peha is a co-author of Science Technology Advice for Congress. He has also authored several articles in the following publications: IEEE Personal Communications; Telecommunications Policy; the International Journal of Communication; and Wireless Technology. Dr. Peha his Ph.D. in electrical engineering from Stanford University and his undergraduate degree from Brown University.

DHS Releases H-1B Fraud and Compliance Assessment

The Department of Homeland Security has released a long-awaited assessment of H-1B visa fraud, which concluded 21% of H-1b visa petitions involve some degree of fraud or technical violation, with fraud rates higher for petitions involving bachelor's level jobs. To view the report, visit: http://www.ieeeusa.org/policy/reports/DHSH1BFraudRpt.pdf

New Executive Assistant Director of FBI Science and Technology Branch

FBI Director Robert S. Mueller named Louis E. Grever as Executive Assistant Director (EAD) of the FBI's Science and Technology Branch. Grever replaces former EAD Kerry E. Haynes, who retired from the FBI earlier this year. Most recently, Mr. Grever served as Deputy Assistant Director of the Science and Technology Branch.

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REPORTS & DOCUMENTS OF NOTE

Government Accountability Office Reports

Information Technology: Management Improvements Needed on the Department of Homeland Security's Next Generation Information Sharing System GAO-09-40, October 8, 2008 Summary (HTML)   Highlights Page (PDF) Accessible Text   Recommendations (HTML)

Electricity Restructuring: FERC Could Take Additional Steps to Analyze Regional Transmission Organizations' Benefits and Performance GAO-08-987, September 22, 2008 Summary (HTML)   Highlights Page (PDF) Accessible Text   Recommendations (HTML)

Electronic Waste: Harmful U.S. Exports Flow Virtually Unrestricted Because of Minimal EPA Enforcement and Narrow Regulation GAO-08-1166T, September 17, 2008 Summary (HTML)   Highlights Page (PDF) Accessible Text

Space Acquisitions: DOD's Goals for Resolving Space Based Infrared System Software Problems Are Ambitious GAO-08-1073, September 30, 2008 Summary (HTML)   Highlights Page (PDF) Accessible Text   Recommendations (HTML)

Defense Acquisitions: Sound Business Case Needed to Implement Missile Defense Agency's Targets Program GAO-08-1113, September 26, 2008 Summary (HTML)   Highlights Page (PDF) Accessible Text   Recommendations (HTML)

NASA: Agency Faces Challenges Defining Scope and Costs of Space Shuttle Transition and Retirement GAO-08-1096, September 30, 2008 Summary (HTML)   Highlights Page (PDF)  Accessible Text   Recommendations (HTML)

Space Acquisitions: Uncertainties in the Evolved Expendable Launch Vehicle Program Pose Management and Oversight Challenges GAO-08-1039, September 26, 2008 Summary (HTML)   Highlights Page (PDF) Accessible Text   Recommendations (HTML)

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US STATES ACTIVITIES

If you like to keep up with going on in state politics, StateLine.org provides a good overview of the activities in all 50 state legislatures.

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AWARDS & GRANTS

AAAS Grant Site

The American Association for the Advancement of Science supports GrantsNet Express.  Each week, GrantsNet provides a listing of science funding opportunities from private foundations and organizations, and new U.S. government grant announcements in the sciences. AAAS will send GrantsNet by e-mail to AAAS member subscribers.

Grants.gov

The President's 2002 Fiscal Year Management Agenda established grants.gov as a governmental grants resource. Grants.gov is a central storehouse for information on over 1,000 grant programs, and provides access to approximately $400 billion in annual awards. Most agencies, such as the DOE's Office of Science, use only grants.gov to list all funding opportunities. Other funding opportunities of interest include the Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy and NASA.

National Science Foundation

For information on NSF Engineering Active Funding Opportunities, visit: http://www.nsf.gov/funding/pgm_list.jsp?org=ENG

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CONFERENCES, FELLOWSHIPS, PROGRAMS & INTERNSHIPS FOR ENGINEERS

IEEE ENERGY 2030 - Towards A Sustainable Energy Infrastructure ( November 17 – 18, 2008, Atlanta, GA)

This new conference will provide a forum for the exchange of ideas amongst experts from a broad range of disciplines on the technology, policy and economic framework required for the creation of a global sustainable energy infrastructure by 2030. The IEEE, as a global technology leader in electrical and related technologies, with 43 societies and 370,000 members, is uniquely positioned to help define what the transformed infrastructure is likely to look like, and to initiate the discussion on the challenges that need to be overcome to achieve success. The Conference is initiated by the IEEE TA New Technology Directions Committee, and co-sponsorship by IEEE-USA; IEEE Standards Association; and the following IEEE Societies: Industry Applications Society, Power Electronics Society, and the Power and Energy Society. For more info, visit: http://ewh.ieee.org/conf/energy2030/

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LATEST IEEE-USA & IEEE ACTIVITIES

2009 WISE Applications Now Being Accepted

Applications for the Washington Internships for Students of Engineering (WISE) program are sought from outstanding engineering students with a keen interest in public policy and evidence of leadership skills. The Summer 2009 WISE Program is scheduled from 8 June - 7 August 2009. To qualify for consideration, applicants must be juniors, seniors, or entering their final year of undergraduate studies in engineering (or computer science). WISE will also accept applications from engineering grads who are beginning Masters level study in a technology policy-related degree. Interns must be U.S. citizens or legal permanent residents of the United States of America.

WISE applicants should apply directly to their desired sponsor using the contact information provided. ANS, ASCE, ASME, IEEE and SAE will sponsor only individuals who are members of their societies at the time of application. Minority students are encouraged to apply. Applicants are required to fill out an application form, write two brief (one page) essays in response to questions, arrange for two faculty references, and forward an official transcript. Download the 2009 WISE program application at: http://wise-intern.org/application/index.html

2008 WISE students at the Rayburn House Office Building, Capitol Hill

Public Policy Priority Issues - 110th Congress, 2d Session (2008):http://ieeeusa.org/policy/issues/index.html

Position Statements: http://ieeeusa.com/policy/positions/index.html - IEEE-USA position statements identify important technical and/or engineering career-related aspects of specific public policy issues deemed to be of concern or affecting IEEE's U.S. members.  They make specific public policy recommendations and provide recommended approaches for consideration by the U.S. Congress, Executive Branch officials, the Judiciary, representatives of State and Local Government, and other interested groups and individuals, including IEEE members. 

Check out the new positions statements approved in June 2008 . Many more are Under Review by committees. Check back in December after the November board meeting for their approval status.

IEEE-USA In The News: http://ieeeusa.org/communications/inthenews/default.asp.

Former IEEE-USA Government Fellows Available to Speak to Sections

Earlier this year, former IEEE-USA Congressional Fellow George Hanover spoke to an IEEE PACE group in the San Francisco Bay area. He discussed the innovation and competitiveness issues that he worked on during the year he served as an IEEE-USA government fellow, working as a staffer for the Environment, Technology and Standards Subcommittee of the House Science Committee. George also served on the personal staff of Congressman Dana Rohrabacher (R-Calif.), a member of the House Science Committee. George also discussed an engineer's perspective on the "government process" and the IEEE-USA's involvement in that process. If your section is interested in having one of the former government fellows speak to your group about the program, how the legislative process works in Washington, and how IEEE-USA is influencing it, please contact Erica Wissolik at e. wissolik @ ieee. org. For more information on the IEEE-USA Government Fellows Program, please visit: http://ieeeusa.org/policy/govfel/default.asp

 

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Top of Page | What's New@IEEE | IEEE-USA

What's New @ IEEE-USA's Eye on Washington highlights important federal legislative and regulatory developments that affect U.S. engineers and their careers. In addition to this biweekly newsletter, subscribers receive legislative bulletins and action alerts on IEEE-USA priority issues, including: retirement security, employment benefits, research & development funding, computers and information policy, immigration reform, intellectual property protection and privacy of health/medical information.

You can change your IEEE-USA Eye on Washington subscription status by using the forms at http://www.ieeeusa.org/communications/emailupdates/default.asp

Copyright © 2008, The Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, Inc.  Permission granted to copy for personal use or for non-commercial republication with appropriate attribution.

Updated: 12 September 2008