About fifty-years ago, Congress realized it was falling behind the curve of America’s technological boom, so it established the Office of Technology Assessment (1972) to help stay abreast of developments in the rapidly developing fields of aeronautics, energy, medical technology, and digital data management.
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Devoted to issuing reports and offering nonpartisan advice on the intricacies of these complex markets, the necessity of OTA’s mission became readily apparent. When Congress defunded the department in 1995, it boasted 143 employees and a budget of $22 million.
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Today, the OTA's statute remains on the books (2 U.S.C. 471), and with technology developing more quickly than ever the question must be asked: should OTA be revived?
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This meeting is open to Capitol Hill staff (except interns); experts on Congress; and anyone else who cares about the well-being of America’s legislative branch. To encourage candid discussion, this meeting is not open to media. However, the group's co-directors are available for interviews and comment. They can be reached at kkosar@rstreet.org and drutman@newamerica.org.
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Lunch will be provided
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New America and the R Street Institute launched the Legislative Branch Capacity Working Group in spring 2016. The group was formed in response to the widespread perception that Congress is dysfunctional. The Legislative Branch Capacity Working Group aims to assess Congress' capacity to perform its constitutional duties and to collaborate on ideas to improve the legislative branch’s performance in our separation-of-powers system.