Senate Passes Resolution for National Strategy on Internet of Things

The Senate unanimously passed a bipartisan resolution to use the Internet of Things -- a term for the connected network of computing devices, objects and sensors -- both to promote economic growth and to benefit consumers.

Introduced earlier this month by Sen. Deb Fischer, R-Neb., the resolution calls on the United States to develop a national strategy that would “incentivize the development of the Internet of Things," "prioritize accelerating [its] development and deployment" and ensure it “responsibly protects against misuse.”

Fischer introduced the resolution along with Sens. Cory Booker, D-N.J., Kelly Ayotte, R-N.H., and Brian Schatz, D-Hawaii, who also all requested last month’s first-ever Senate hearing on the Internet of Things.

The resolution is an “important first step in ushering new ideas and innovations for years to come,” Fischer said in a statement after the measure was passed.

Still, lawmakers are searching for a balance between developing adequate policy safeguards and stifling technological advances.

“Innovation and free-market principles must drive our hands-off regulatory approach, not overregulation,” Ayotte said in a statement.

The resolution underscores the nation’s commitment to nurturing innovation, but also in “protecting consumers and finding solutions to our toughest problems through technology-driven solutions,” Booker said in a statement.