Congress is not ignoring growing technologies in the United States. Its members simply don't understand them, said former U.S. Rep. Lou Frey.
Frey, a former Florida representative and University Law School graduate, joined Law students for a discussion hosted by the Michigan Telecommunications and Technology Law Review last night. Panelists questioned Frey on the role Congress can play in regulating and participating in technological advances.
"When we wrote the Communications Act there were literally only two of us in the 435 in the House who knew what was in it," Frey said.
Frey said that although government administrators often avoid the issue for fear of conflict with big business, many legislators just don't understand it and don't have the incentive to learn about it.
Lack of knowledge about the latest Internet function is not an excuse, said Law student Matt Lipson.
"Even if they can't understand the technology (they should) have people on their staff that can inform them of it," Lipson said.
Law student Jennifer Diamantis said members of Congress may not see an incentive in addressing science and technology issues. Some constituents are concerned, however.
"It bothers me that they make decisions about things they're not informed about," Diamantis said.
The only way for government to deal efficiently and responsibly with changing technologies is to appoint specific officials to research the subject and advise the rest of the government, Frey said. Frey suggested the addition of a cabinet-level post to oversee science and technology.
"When you're close to the president and he'll listen to you, you can get things done," Frey said.
An office with similar responsibilities was removed from the White House several years ago.
"There's never been a time when it's down lower in the political pecking order," Frey said.
While in Congress, Frey served as the ranking member of the House Science and Technology Committee and drafted the first bill to limit the monopolizing power of AT&T.
"Competition was the only way we could solve this problem," Frey said. "Technology had surpassed the law."
While Congress was successful in blocking this potential misuse of power in the communications industry, technology is getting harder to regulate, Frey said.
"What can Congress do to protect my software from people stealing it?" asked panelist and School of Information Prof. Victor Rosenberg.
Frey said that legislation designed to regulate technology is difficult to enforce, especially outside of the country.