Shapiro Urges New House Speaker Ryan To ‘Prioritize’ Legislation That Spurs Innovation

CEA President Gary Shapiro hailed the election of Rep. Paul Ryan, R-Wis., as House speaker on the grounds that Ryan can “help grow our economy by advancing policies that promote our nation's leadership in technological innovation.” CEA urges Ryan “to work with House members to prioritize legislation that will encourage innovation, entrepreneurship and a vibrant free-market system,” Shapiro said Thursday in a statement. “We urge action and legislation restricting patent trolls, encouraging free trade, investing in infrastructure, allowing online taxation to equalize the playing field for brick-and-mortar retailers, reducing the national debt and expanding wireless broadband." The consumer tech industry contributes more than $285 billion a year to the U.S. economy, yet “many of the businesses driving this growth face government-imposed roadblocks due to outdated rules,” he said.