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H.R. 4609: National Institute of Standards and Technology for the Future Act of 2021

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H.R. 4609: National Institute of Standards and Technology for the Future Act of 2021

117th Congress · introduced 2021-07-21 · Science, Technology, Communications · Latest: Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 177.

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Follow this bill, step by step

  1. Where it came from: introduced 2021-07-21 · official record
  2. Who proposed it: Rep. Stevens, Haley M. [D-MI-11] · what a sponsor is
  3. What happened next: no floor votes in our records yet. Why?
  4. Where it stands now: Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 177. Not final yet: this can still change. We check for updates every day.
  5. If it becomes law and spends money: follow the money to money laws, then agencies and contracts and grants.

What does this mean?

Official title

National Institute of Standards and Technology for the Future Act of 2021

Plain summary

National Institute of Standards and Technology for the Future Act of 2021 This bill reauthorizes the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) through FY2026 and establishes programs and activities. The bill sets forth requirements for supporting basic measurement science, technology research for engineering biology, biomanufacturing, and biometrology; a program to inform the development of standards for the measurement of greenhouse gas emissions; establishing research programs and otherwise carrying out research on identity management, cybersecurity, biometric identification, and communications measurement; assessing and assigning severity metrics to identified vulnerabilities with open source software; carrying out research and testing to improve the effectiveness of artificial intelligence-enabled cybersecurity; a digital identity technical roadmap and digital identity management guidance; a biometrics vendor test program; performance standards and guidelines for high-risk biometric identification systems, including facial recognition systems; making publicly available resources to help qualifying institutions manage and reduce their cybersecurity risk related to conducting research; carrying out advanced communications measurement research; operation of the National Advanced Spectrum and Communications Test Network; development of a strategic plan for the future of the Center for Neutron Research; information exchange and coordination among federal agencies and communication from federal agencies to the private sector to ensure federal engagement in the development and use of international technical standards; and establishing a five-year pilot program to award grants to support increased participation by small business and academic interests in international standards organizations.

Congressional Research Service summary (Introduced in House), quoted unchanged (nonpartisan). Read the source.

What a vote does

A “Yea” vote

If it passes both chambers and is signed, it becomes law.

A “Nay” vote

If it is not passed, current law stays as it is.

PSI Sci description of the legislative step (not an opinion).

What does this mean? (plain words)

Official text

National Institute of Standards and Technology for the Future Act of 2021

Source: Congressional Research Service summary (Introduced in House)

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The strongest published arguments

Arguments for (supporters)

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Alternatives

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How did my representative vote? · This bill's floor votes

Officials and money

Sponsor: Rep. Stevens, Haley M. [D-MI-11] · 16 cosponsors

Cost estimate: CBO cost estimate: H.R. 4609, National Institute of Standards and Technology for the Future Act of 2021 (2022-02-16)

Cosponsors on this site

Frank D. Lucas (R-OK), Suzanne Bonamici (D-OR), Young Kim (R-CA), John Garamendi (D-CA), Brian K. Fitzpatrick (R-PA), Gwen Moore (D-WI), Bill Foster (D-IL), Deborah K. Ross (D-NC), Jake Auchincloss (D-MA), Steve Cohen (D-TN), Seth Moulton (D-MA)

Sponsor's campaign money: Rep. Stevens, Haley M. [D-MI-11] reported raising $1.6 million (2025–2026). Details. Shown for context only; it does not mean any donor supported this bill.

No linked floor roll calls in our collected records yet. This does not mean the bill has never had a vote. Check the official bill history.

Words on this page, explained (1)
Bill
A proposed law. It becomes law only if it passes the legislature and is signed by the president or governor (or a veto is overridden).

Plain meanings written from linked sources. All words.

Sources

Record fed-us-cong117-hr4609 · catalog fed-us-congress-bills-cong117 · updated 2026-11-15 by psicol fed-bills-cong117