The House Committee on Energy and Commerce has achieved a unanimous vote of 46-0 in favor of the Deploying American Blockchains Act of 2023 (H.R. 6572), signaling a significant step forward for blockchain adoption in the United States. The bill, designed to promote the country’s competitiveness in the deployment and use of blockchain technology, will now proceed to the House for further consideration.
The 13-page legislation empowers U.S. Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo to take actions deemed necessary to enhance the nation’s competitiveness concerning the deployment, use, application, and competitiveness of blockchain technology and other distributed ledger technologies.
Cody Carbone, the policy head for the Chamber of Digital Commerce, praised the committee’s move on Twitter, stating that it will contribute to preserving U.S. leadership in blockchain development, a crucial aspect for the country’s technological progress.
The bill outlines various actions that the commerce secretary must take, including establishing best practices, policies, and recommendations for both the public and private sectors when utilizing blockchain technology. It proposes the creation of a “Blockchain Deployment Program” aimed at supporting the technology’s implementation. Government advisory committees with representatives from federal agencies, blockchain industry stakeholders, and experts would also be formed to facilitate blockchain adoption.
The legislation places emphasis on promoting blockchain leadership and streamlining coordination for federal agencies intending to leverage blockchain technology. Additionally, studies will be conducted to assess the current use of blockchain by federal agencies and evaluate their preparedness for future technology adoption.
The bill is one of many pro-crypto initiatives presented to Congress, highlighting the growing recognition of the importance of blockchain technology. Although it may not have the same potential impact as some other bills, its passage through the House Committee represents a positive step toward fostering blockchain development in the United States.