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house Bill H.R. 39

Should the Presidential Innovation Fellows Program be Permanent?

Argument in favor

The PIF program infuses government agencies with talented tech employees who would otherwise never consider working in the public sector.

maryjoancepla's Opinion
···
01/10/2017
Our government needs to attract the best and the brightest.
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Nancy's Opinion
···
01/10/2017
In this age of cybercrime and national security needs, we must attract talented people to tech positions in our government.
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Vivian's Opinion
···
01/12/2017
Please vote in favor of making the Presidential Innovation Fellowship permanent. Cyber security is essential to maintaining peace, law, and order. Enticing talented tech specialists to use their skills to improve government efficiency and security should be everyone's highest priority. This is not a partisan issue--it's a national security issue.
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Argument opposed

The PIF program is a burdensome expense for cash-strapped government agencies that has produced few tangible benefits for the public.

B.R.'s Opinion
···
01/10/2017
I think that all programs should have a limited term to ensure a review process transpires to evaluate its effectiveness. When programs are made permanent, they tend to be forgotten about and continue despite its ineffectiveness and/or outlives the original intent/need.
Like (32)
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TuckerWantsLiberty's Opinion
···
01/10/2017
You filthy government hypocrites. Here I am, responsible, informed, and educated, but I don't meet your (ENTIRELY ARBITRARY) criteria to be an accredited investor. So I can't invest in as many up-and-coming businesses and entrepreneurs. I, on my own, can't use my money to help these tech talents make really cool advancements. Oh, but wait, it's totally different when the super-benevolent, super-intelligent, angelic government does me the great favor of taking my money from me and then THEY can invest my money in those talented people! Gee thanks! So one more time - I'm not allowed to direct my money in particular ways, but YOU can direct my money in those ways...because...you're better than me with my money? Isn't that what you're saying? What a great favor my government superiors are doing me, investing my money better than I can! I - wait, you're saying that when those investments pay off, you keep the dividends? I don't get the proceeds from you investing my money? And wait, some of them don't succeed?? I thought you were smarter than me and could make better use of my money than I could! So when you lose that money - oh I see. You'll just tax more and get the money back. So you're happy to pass along your losses to me when the money you stole from me isn't spent wisely, but you'll keep the gains. Socialized losses and privatized gains, after all. And lest we forget, I still can't invest my money in those opportunities myself. And why is that, again? Oh. Because I might do something stupid. Thank goodness all these hyper-ethical super geniuses run our lives for us!
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Loraki's Opinion
···
01/16/2017
This program and, more importantly, its administrative COSTS are not needed. The federal government can attract and hire technical whiz kids without it! And it certainly isn't needed to spur research in the tech industry! This just smells like a lobbyist success story to me. Countable member John said: "The US is falling behind the world in scientific discovery and innovative use of new technology. We must do better." One reason the U.S.A. is falling behind is because we allow so many Chinese and other foreigners to come here to study, THEN THEY GO BACK HOME AND HELP THEIR COUNTRY, INSTEAD OF HELPING OURS! THIS NEEDS TO STOP! How about you RINOs in Congress learning to "Just say NO" and start trimming the BUDGET, instead of CREATING A BUDGET THAT ADDS $9.7 TRILLION TO THE NATIONAL DEBT! You MUST get the spending under control! We the People have been wondering what good it does to have the GOP in control of Congress! I, for one, have been watching you Republicans who campaign as "conservatives", then cave to the RINOs and Democommies once you're elected! Paul Ryan and Kevin McCarthy should not be leaders of the GOP! Neither should Mitch McConnell!
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What is House Bill H.R. 39?

This bill would preserve the Presidential Innovation Fellows (PIF) program, which the White House established in 2012 to attract talented tech workers to various government departments.

Over the past four years, the program has produced almost 100 fellows drawn from tech companies like Google and Shutterstock, as well as media outlets like the New York Times. Many fellows have continued their work in government as chief technology officers or policy advisers in local, state and federal agencies.

In 2015, President Obama issued an executive order to make the PIF program a permanent feature in future administrations. But executive orders can be overturned by new presidents.

Impact

The Presidential Innovation Fellows program, the General Services Administration, the White House administration, and tech employees interested in working for government agencies.

Cost of House Bill H.R. 39

A CBO cost estimate is unavailable.

More Information

In-Depth: The TALENT Act of 2016, which was introduced by House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-CA), would establish the PFI program as a permanent feature of the General Services Administration, which currently oversees the fellowships. The bill would also create a position for a director, who would be responsible for appointing fellows, and it would retain the federal advisory board that determines the standards and priorities of the program.

Of Note: During its four years, the PIF program has produced several successful high-profile projects, including a website that compiles resources for preventing sexual assaults on college campuses and the Police Data Initiative, which uses data to improve accountability in police departments.  

But some critics have argued that the financial structure of the PIF program funnels more money into administrative costs than salaries or projects. Under its current arrangement, the GSA charges federal agencies for the use of fellows, with the majority of the fees going toward overhead costs.

Media

Summary by Eli Wolfe
(Photo Credit: By U.S. Centers for Disease Control - http://phil.cdc.gov/phil/details.asp?pid=8159, Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=34836133)

AKA

TALENT Act of 2017

Official Title

To amend title 5, United States Code, to codify the Presidential Innovation Fellows Program, and for other purposes.

bill Progress

  • EnactedJanuary 20th, 2017
    The President signed this bill into law
  • The senate Passed January 17th, 2017
    Passed by Voice Vote
  • The house Passed January 11th, 2017
    Roll Call Vote 386 Yea / 17 Nay
      house Committees
      Committee on Oversight and Reform
    IntroducedJanuary 3rd, 2017
Log in or create an account to see how your Reps voted!
    maryjoancepla's Opinion In Favor
    ···
    01/10/2017
    Our government needs to attract the best and the brightest.
    Like (53)
    Follow
    Share
    B.R.'s Opinion Against
    ···
    01/10/2017
    I think that all programs should have a limited term to ensure a review process transpires to evaluate its effectiveness. When programs are made permanent, they tend to be forgotten about and continue despite its ineffectiveness and/or outlives the original intent/need.
    Like (32)
    Follow
    Share
    Nancy's Opinion In Favor
    ···
    01/10/2017
    In this age of cybercrime and national security needs, we must attract talented people to tech positions in our government.
    Like (23)
    Follow
    Share
    TuckerWantsLiberty's Opinion Against
    ···
    01/10/2017
    You filthy government hypocrites. Here I am, responsible, informed, and educated, but I don't meet your (ENTIRELY ARBITRARY) criteria to be an accredited investor. So I can't invest in as many up-and-coming businesses and entrepreneurs. I, on my own, can't use my money to help these tech talents make really cool advancements. Oh, but wait, it's totally different when the super-benevolent, super-intelligent, angelic government does me the great favor of taking my money from me and then THEY can invest my money in those talented people! Gee thanks! So one more time - I'm not allowed to direct my money in particular ways, but YOU can direct my money in those ways...because...you're better than me with my money? Isn't that what you're saying? What a great favor my government superiors are doing me, investing my money better than I can! I - wait, you're saying that when those investments pay off, you keep the dividends? I don't get the proceeds from you investing my money? And wait, some of them don't succeed?? I thought you were smarter than me and could make better use of my money than I could! So when you lose that money - oh I see. You'll just tax more and get the money back. So you're happy to pass along your losses to me when the money you stole from me isn't spent wisely, but you'll keep the gains. Socialized losses and privatized gains, after all. And lest we forget, I still can't invest my money in those opportunities myself. And why is that, again? Oh. Because I might do something stupid. Thank goodness all these hyper-ethical super geniuses run our lives for us!
    Like (13)
    Follow
    Share
    Loraki's Opinion Against
    ···
    01/16/2017
    This program and, more importantly, its administrative COSTS are not needed. The federal government can attract and hire technical whiz kids without it! And it certainly isn't needed to spur research in the tech industry! This just smells like a lobbyist success story to me. Countable member John said: "The US is falling behind the world in scientific discovery and innovative use of new technology. We must do better." One reason the U.S.A. is falling behind is because we allow so many Chinese and other foreigners to come here to study, THEN THEY GO BACK HOME AND HELP THEIR COUNTRY, INSTEAD OF HELPING OURS! THIS NEEDS TO STOP! How about you RINOs in Congress learning to "Just say NO" and start trimming the BUDGET, instead of CREATING A BUDGET THAT ADDS $9.7 TRILLION TO THE NATIONAL DEBT! You MUST get the spending under control! We the People have been wondering what good it does to have the GOP in control of Congress! I, for one, have been watching you Republicans who campaign as "conservatives", then cave to the RINOs and Democommies once you're elected! Paul Ryan and Kevin McCarthy should not be leaders of the GOP! Neither should Mitch McConnell!
    Like (12)
    Follow
    Share
    Vivian's Opinion In Favor
    ···
    01/12/2017
    Please vote in favor of making the Presidential Innovation Fellowship permanent. Cyber security is essential to maintaining peace, law, and order. Enticing talented tech specialists to use their skills to improve government efficiency and security should be everyone's highest priority. This is not a partisan issue--it's a national security issue.
    Like (9)
    Follow
    Share
    Keith's Opinion Against
    ···
    01/12/2017
    I like the idea of taking the brilliant minds and advances from the private sector and implementing them in our government for advancements of the country's overall capabilities; however, from what I can tell, the funding in this program alone is an absolute mess. More of tax payers' dollars are being spent on administrative nonsense than projects and salaries. This program would be much better if it was a private enterprise that was federally funded or if it was a federal program that actually works without frivolously overspending tax payers' dollars.
    Like (6)
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    Caleb's Opinion In Favor
    ···
    01/12/2017
    When talented workers are brought out of the private sector into the public; the public literally wins.
    Like (5)
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    Mary's Opinion In Favor
    ···
    01/09/2017
    We need to attract real talent to government positions.
    Like (5)
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    Evan's Opinion In Favor
    ···
    01/11/2017
    If everything about Clinton's mishandling, the Russian hacks, and archaic archiving and communications tech of our federal government is any indication, our government can only *truly* modernize by hiring a new generation of tech-savvy users *hungry* to fix those problems and make our government's infrastructure more efficient.
    Like (4)
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    Robert's Opinion Against
    ···
    01/10/2017
    Just how much BS is folded into this bill? Why on earth should we pass a bill to encourage highly talented people to work in the government and public sectors, when each fiscal year Congress wants to shut down the whole government. You can't have big government and small government at the same time.
    Like (4)
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    Elk's Opinion In Favor
    ···
    01/12/2017
    Our government should be taking every opportunity to attract the top minds in this field.
    Like (4)
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    Jeff's Opinion In Favor
    ···
    01/10/2017
    Government needs to recruit the best. The PIF program is one way to do that. It has served us well so far; let's continue it indefinitely.
    Like (3)
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    Sylvan's Opinion In Favor
    ···
    01/09/2017
    In light of the extent of Russian hacking and interference in our democratic process, now more than ever, the Federal Government needs smart, highly skilled tech experts.
    Like (3)
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    NanceinNJ's Opinion In Favor
    ···
    01/11/2017
    I believe that the fellows program should be made permanent as a step towards attracting and keeping highly qualified staff. It's a long standing issue that private sector has more tools available to attract the brightest and best - and our government agencies need tools like this to help equalize them playing field.
    Like (3)
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    wsdraperv's Opinion Against
    ···
    01/15/2017
    Let them get a job through hot jobs, indeed, or some other sight. What is wrong with you people? All this govt created BS already exists in the private sector. Most of it is ad supported and free to us. We don't need expensive and inefficient govt redundancy.
    Like (3)
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    operaman's Opinion Against
    ···
    01/09/2017
    PIF programs need to be set on the back burner. Lots of problems to be solved and this PIF is not important.
    Like (3)
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    mythofamanda's Opinion In Favor
    ···
    01/09/2017
    The program is accomplishing initiatives that help people. Protect the good that it is doing; budgetary concerns can be addressed after it is safe from being cancelled as a political stunt.
    Like (3)
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    Mart's Opinion Against
    ···
    01/09/2017
    Get out of areas not sanctioned by the Constitution. That's a private sector initiative and investment
    Like (3)
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    Kris's Opinion In Favor
    ···
    01/10/2017
    We need a diversity of ideas and skills in government. This is a clear, easy, low-risk way to attract new talent and usher both in.
    Like (3)
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