Washington, D.C. – Congressman Michael C. Burgess, M.D. (R-TX), a member of the House Rules Committee and Republican Leader of the House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Health, released the following statement after both the Consumer Safety Technology Act and his Advancing 3D Printing Act as part of the American COMPETE Act passed the House. 

"This pandemic has shown us the importance on being ahead of the technology curve,” said Burgess. “We have seen how 3D printing can quickly produce much needed resources for front line workers. In addition, the National Institute of Standards and Technology just demonstrated how soft materials can be used to 3D print medical devices and implants. 

Artificial intelligence augments human capabilities and allows our resources to create more advanced outcomes more quickly. AI can be used to help the Consumer Product Safety Commission rapidly identify consumer product hazards by finding counterfeit items in the marketplace and predicting product fail rates. 

"America’s future is being defined by these innovations, and it is critical that we continue to develop these emerging technologies to advance American innovation.

"By passing the Consumer Safety Technology Act and the American COMPETE Act, Congress took action to ensure America is able to maintain our national and economic security as other countries like China work to undermine us. 

"Let’s keep the momentum before us and have the Senate quickly take up these essential pieces of legislation.”