Blackburn, Welch, Gooden, Ross Introduce Bill to Speed Up Patent Process for Critical and Emerging Technologies
May 23, 2025
NASHVILLE, Tenn. – U.S. Senators Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.) and Peter Welch (D-Vt.) and U.S. Representatives Lance Gooden (R-Texas) and Deborah Ross (D-N.C.) introduced the bipartisan, bicameral Leadership in Critical and Emergency Technology (CET) Act, which would encourage innovation in critical and emergency technologies by ensuring those patent applications receive prompt consideration by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO):
“The United States cannot afford to fall behind to the Chinese Communist Party in the research and development of critical and emerging technology,” said Senator Blackburn. “My bipartisan Leadership in CET Act would expedite the patent review process to ensure we regain our competitive edge.”
“China has made significant strides in emerging technologies like artificial intelligence and is working rapidly to surpass the United States as a world leader in the field. Accelerating our research and development in critical technologies is a vital step to maintaining our leadership on the world stage,” said Senator Welch. “Our bipartisan bill will boost our competitiveness and ensure we’re at the forefront of setting global standards for emerging technologies.”
“The Leadership in CET Act will secure American global dominance in transformative technologies like AI and semiconductors, said Congressman Gooden. “Through streamlining patent approvals, we will foster innovation and drive progress in these critical fields.”
“America has always been a forerunner in technology and innovation, and we cannot fall back now,” said Congresswoman Ross. “The Leadership in Critical and Emerging Technologies Act will fast-track American innovation in key fields, empower inventors in the Research Triangle and beyond, and help us outperform our global competitors. North Carolina's innovators are ready to lead, and this bipartisan legislation will give them the tools to do so. We have taken significant strides toward revitalizing American innovation and strengthening our competitiveness, and we must continue to build on that progress.”
BACKGROUND
- Communist China has significantly strengthened its research and development efforts and now leads the world in 57 of 64 critical technologies.
- This is an increase from 52 technologies in 2021 and a drastic leap from the mid-2000s, when China was leading in just three.
- The U.S. historically has been the world’s dominant research power, leading in research for 60 out of 64 technologies from 2003-2007. That number has since dropped to seven, with notable holdouts in advanced information and communication technologies, semiconductor design, and certain quantum capabilities.
- Chinese President Xi Jinping, through a series of government proclamations, has accelerated fundamental scientific research so it can become self-reliant in critical technologies.
- In 2022, Chinese institutions applied for 29,853 AI-related patents—almost 80% more than U.S. filings.
- In 2024, China was listed as a high risk to monopolize 24 critical and emerging technology areas.
LEADERSHIP IN CET ACT
- The Leadership in CET Act would:
- Require the Under Secretary of Commerce for Intellectual Property and Director of the USPTO to establish and carry out a pilot program to expedite the examination of 15,000 patent applications pertaining to certain capabilities in artificial intelligence, semiconductor design, and quantum information science;
- Prevent foreign entities of concern from participating in the program;
- Provide the USPTO a one-time reauthorization authority if deemed necessary; and
- Require the USPTO Director to submit a report to Congress assessing the impact and effectiveness of the pilot program based on all available data following the program’s termination.
ENDORSEMENTS
This legislation is endorsed by the High Tech Inventors Alliance, the Innovation Alliance, and theComputer & Communications Industry Association.
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Click here for bill text.
