[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 162 (2016), Part 9]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 12600]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                          PERSONAL EXPLANATION

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. EARL BLUMENAUER

                               of oregon

                    in the house of representatives

                      Tuesday, September 13, 2016

  Mr. BLUMENAUER. Mr. Speaker, had I been present for the vote on H. 
Res. 847, a resolution expressing support for a national strategy for 
the ``Internet of Things'' to promote economic growth and consumer 
empowerment (Roll Call Number 496), I would have voted ``aye.'' The 
Internet of Things is the platform for existing and emerging 
technologies that are revolutionizing everyday life, from self-driving 
cars to ``smart homes,'' where lighting, temperature, and security can 
be controlled and monitored from a phone. A national strategy can help 
guide this technology to meet goals of sustainability, equity, and 
economic growth.
  Likewise, had I been present for the vote on H. Res. 835, a 
resolution expressing support for a national policy for technology to 
promote consumer access to financial tools and online commerce (Roll 
Call Number 497), I would have voted ``aye.'' With nearly a third of 
the U.S. population underbanked or unbanked, it is critical that we 
focus emerging technology development to provide additional support, 
financial tools, and security to consumers.

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