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McCaul Awarded ‘High Tech Legislator of the Year' for Supporting Policies that Create Jobs and Strengthen US Competitiveness

May 17, 2010

McCaul Awarded ‘High Tech Legislator of the Year’ for Supporting Policies that Create Jobs and Strengthen US Competitiveness

AUSTIN, TX – The Information Technology Industry Council awarded Congressman Michael McCaul (R-TX 10) its coveted Legislator of the Year Award for 2009 for his support of congressional policies that benefit American technology companies.

"I’m proud to accept this award. The high tech industry is a key component of our nation’s economy and it accounts for a greater percentage of jobs in Austin than in any other city in the country," said Rep. McCaul, who sits on the House Science and Technology Committee. "Companies such as IBM, Dell and Applied Materials need to be able to count on a skilled workforce and need to defray the enormous cost of research and development to lead the world in innovation."

"Since the day he took office, Congressman McCaul has worked tirelessly to advance a technology-centric agenda that will create jobs, increase our nation’s competitiveness and drive sustainable growth across every sector of our nation’s interconnected economy," said Dean Garfield, ITI president and CEO. "We value his commitment to these issues and congratulate him on being named one of our legislators of the year."

ITI presented the award to Congressman McCaul based on several criteria:

  • McCaul champions issues important to the technology community including trade, tax policy, cybersecurity, patent reform, education and basic research
  • Founded and co-chairs both the bipartisan Congressional High Tech Caucus
  • Most recently led the effort to extend and expand the R&D tax credit
  • Leader in the field of Cybersecurityincluding the founder and co-chair of the Congressional Cybersecurity Caucus
  • Consistently promoted cooperation and an open dialogue with technology companies

Since entering Congress in 2005, Rep. McCaul has prioritized the needs of the technology industry to help keep American innovators competitive and strengthen the economy. Rep. McCaul shares the Legislator of the Year Award with Sen. Charles Schumer (D-NY), Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC) and Rep. Richard Neal (D-MA).

Rep. McCaul’s Congressional High Tech Initiatives

  • Congressional High Tech Caucus (founder, co-chair)
    Brings together members and industry in a non-partisan pledge to lead Congress in finding ways to keep America’s tech sector strong and provide it with the support to remain on the cutting edge.
  • R&D Tax Credits
    (Feb. 2010) Collected more than 100 members’ signatures on a joint letter (Rep. Eshoo) supporting efforts to include the R&D Tax Credit as part of any economic recovery legislation that Congress considers. McCaul seeks to make the R&D credit permanent in order to help businesses with their planning and projections. He also seeks to simplify the credit making it easier for businesses to understand what they qualify for, without having to hire tax lawyers and other consultants.
  • Deferral and repatriation
    Supports tax deferral, a policy that would allow U.S. companies operating overseas to pay a lower tax rate on foreign-earned income, giving these companies the opportunity to compete on a level playing field with foreign competitors. The U.S. corporate tax rate is second highest in the world.
  • Cybersecurity Caucus (co-founder, co-chair)
    A non-partisan body that works with government and industry to develop policy addressing ways to secure the computer networks that operate America's critical infrastructure.
  • Commission on Cybersecurity for the 44th Presidency (co-chair)
    Worked with the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) and dozens of the best and brightest private sector experts and government officials to develop recommendations to President Obama to secure cyberspace and protect our national interests.
  • Executive Cyberspace Authorities Act of 2010 (lead Republican Sponsor)
    Establishes a National Cyber Office and Coordinator who must be confirmed by the Senate. This office will have direct authority to ensure government agencies are taking adequate steps to secure their networks. The coordinator will also develop a plan, approved by Congress, to coordinate with the private sector and with foreign governments to ensure protection of our critical infrastructure.
  • Cybersecurity Enhancement Act of 2009 (lead Republican sponsor)
    Sets security standars for federal computer systems and develop checklists for agencies to follow, improves coordination outside government through a federal-private sector-university task force, improves cyber R&D and improves quality of cyber workforce.
  • America COMPETES Act of 2010
    Increases research investment, strengthens educational opportunities in science, technology, engineering and math, and promotes innovation and competitiveness in the public and private sectors.