Fostering Innovation
New technologies and industries are changing our economy and our world, and we need a Congress that is forward looking, embraces these changes, and takes a balanced approach when crafting new rules and regulations for the digital economy. In my role at the Workers’ Lab we have been supporting local and national innovations in structures, systems, and technologies that help workers in various ways, including getting emergency cash to workers, and helping contract workers get unemployment insurance more efficiently, safely, and accurately.
Artificial intelligence, blockchain, and other technologies are still emerging and allow people to build wealth, own their own data, and have a seat at the table in the economy of the future. And their full potential is still unknown. In Congress, I will focus on creating a regulatory framework that provides clarity to these industries that allows more Americans to have access to these technologies, and encourages innovation and equitable growth while protecting consumers and workers by:
- Investing in high-end manufacturing jobs. The CHIPS Act signed into law by President Biden represents a crucial step in ensuring America and American workers remain competitive in the 21st century. We need to continue to prioritize smart investments like these to develop our workforce and ensure American manufacturing remains on the cutting edge.
- Creating a regulatory framework that encourages innovation here at home. For too long, regulators have tried to apply 20th century regulations to 21st century technologies. Congress and the relevant regulatory agencies must come together on a modern framework to regulate emerging technologies such as blockchain and digital assets. Developing this framework will be key to both fostering innovation and creating jobs, but also ensuring that consumers are protected from offshore ventures like FTX.
- Safeguard American Data. As the worldwide economy becomes more interconnected, I believe that the American government will be the best safeguard of our data. If blockchain and other emerging technologies move offshore to malevolent actors like Russia and China, American’s personal and financial data could be jeopardized.
- Ensuring cross-border families can seamlessly transfer funds. For my entire life my family has been based in Mexico and the United States. Growing up we often had to pay exorbitant fees to money transfer services to send money across borders. Innovations like blockchain technology have the ability to cut out the middleman, meaning families like mine can keep 100% of their money.