Congressman Daniel Webster has introduced the Utilize Standards for All (USA) Act, legislation to ensure that the United States continues to lead the development of standards that shape global trade, innovation, and emerging technologies.
“Standards are the blueprint for how the world builds, trades, and connects.” said Webster, a Republican who represents The Villages. “When the United States writes that blueprint, it reflects our values of private sector innovation, safeguards our technology, and keeps our workers and industries competitive. The USA Act ensures that the United States, not Beijing, remains the global leader by advancing private sector-led consensus-based standards that allow American innovation to thrive and put our country first.”
The USA Act directs the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) to promote voluntary consensus-based standards developed through a private sector-led process. It also strengthens America’s public-private partnership model, ensuring that industry and government work together to advance U.S. innovation and interests.
“The Utilize Standards for All Act is a crucial step in preserving America’s leadership in global technology and industrial development. By codifying a consensus-based, private sector–led approach to standards, this bill reinforces the principles that have long made American innovation competitive. At a time when China and the EU are aggressively exporting authoritarian-style standards, it’s vital that the U.S. lead with transparency, due process, and industry expertise. Congressman Webster’s legislation provides the certainty and strategic clarity needed to ensure America—not Beijing—defines the rules of the road for emerging technologies like AI and quantum,” said Jon Toomey, President of Coalition for a Prosperous America.
By reinforcing America’s leadership in standards development that underpin global commerce, the USA Act builds on recent trade agreements secured by President Trump and furthers the America First agenda by ensuring U.S. industries and innovation lead on the world stage.