Welcome to Tech Policy Podcast. I'm Ashken Kazarian. On today's show, we're going to talk about bringing in the nerds to save the Congress from their lack of technological expertise in some cases.

We have Kevin Kosar, the vice president of policy for

the Art Street Institute, and Zach Gravis, the director of technology innovation policy for

our Street Institute, who just published a paper named Ringin the Nerd, surviving the Office

of Technology Assessment. Guys, thank you for being here. Thanks for having us.

Thank you.

So what is your paper about, why did you decide to publish it?

What was the inspiration behind it?

So, I mean, one of our street sort of fundamental project is one that Kevin runs, which

has to do with reinvigorating the strength and capacity of Congress across a variety of different areas.

I think we've seen, for instance, declining staffing levels in Congress since the late 80s.

We've seen a reduction in the capacity of congressional committees and members to tackle complex issues.

At the same time, we've seen a rise in the number and in the importance of complex technological

issues.

I mean, this is everything from online copyright, intermediary liability, encryption,

cybersecurity.

These are all issues that are incredibly complex and difficult to find the right

solutions to.

And at the same time, are sort of increasing prevalence, right, in debates in Congress.

And so giving, you know, the members of Congress access to objective expertise to better understand and tackle these

questions is something that we think is an important discussion to bring up again.

Yeah, so in my own experience in D.C. for the last two years, when I talk about surveillance

...