The Lame-Duck R&D Pitch

Leaders from more than a dozen high-tech groups this week urged Congress to renew the research and development tax credit before adjourning their post-election session.

The United States was the innovator of the R&D credit in 1981 but has fallen behind other nations, industry leaders lamented. They added that U.S. innovation could lag as a result.

The U.S. R&D credit expired this year, and attempts to renew it have failed because of unrelated political maneuvering. Industry officials said the credit should be renewed during the lame-duck Congress because it is not a partisan issue and the election is behind lawmakers.

Other major tech policy news this week touched on anti-terrorism surveillance, e-voting reform and caller-identification spoofing. Listen to the podcast for details.