Bill · S. 1833· Senate(119-S-1833)
Leadership in CET Act
- Introduced
- 5/21/2025
- Last activity
- 5/21/2025 — Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
- Sponsored by
- Marsha Blackburn
- Cosponsors
- - 1 - 3
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
This bill, known as the "Leadership in Critical and Emerging Technologies Act," directs the Director of the United States Patent and Trademark Office to create a pilot program. This program is designed to speed up the examination process for specific patent applications involving critical or emerging technologies. Eligible technologies include certain artificial intelligence capabilities, semiconductor design, and quantum information science. To participate, applicants must not be a foreign entity of concern and must meet specific inventor limitations. The program aims to encourage United States innovation and leadership by ensuring these applications receive prompt consideration. The program is set to terminate after five years or once 15,000 applications have been accepted, unless renewed.
Yes· 3 of 6
Is this likely to grow the economy?+5
By expediting patent processing for critical technologies, the bill aims to bolster U.S. innovation and leadership in key sectors.
Would business owners be better off under this?+5
The program provides significant time-saving advantages for businesses working in critical technology sectors.
Does this make patent and copyright rules fairer?+4
The bill speeds up the patent process specifically for researchers in critical and emerging technologies.
The opposite
Would immigrants be better off under this?-2
The bill's restrictions on foreign entities of concern may indirectly affect immigrant-led businesses with international ties.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Encouraging Innovation: The program aims to encourage innovation and leadership in the United States by ensuring that patent applications for critical technologies receive prompt consideration (Section 2(c)).
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Faster Patent Processing for Specific Technologies: Applicants working on specific technologies—such as certain artificial intelligence capabilities, semiconductor design, or quantum information science—can have their applications expedited through a pilot program (Section 2(a)(3)).
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Potential Fee Reductions: The Director has the authority to waive the petition fee or other requirements related to accelerated or prioritized examination programs (Section 2(d)(2)).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
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Limitations on Participation for Inventors: An inventor may be prevented from participating in the pilot program if they have already been named as an inventor for more than 4 other covered applications under the program (Section 2(e)(1)(B)).
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Exclusion of Certain Entities: The program excludes any applicant that is a foreign entity of concern (Section 2(e)(1)(A)).
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Strict Application Requirements: To qualify, an application must be a noncontinuing, nonprovisional application for an original utility patent that does not claim any domestic benefit (Section 2(e)(2)).
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Economy And Finance
- Improves Economic Growth+5
- Governance And Ideology
- Improves Government Transparency+3Increases Federal Power+2
- Education And Technology
- Improves Intellectual Property Fairness+4
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Good For Business Owners+5Good For Immigrants-2
- National Security And Foreign Policy
- Improves Cybersecurity Defense+3
- 7/27/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 10/23/2025
- 2 Cosponsors added.
- 5/21/2025
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- Introduced in Senate
One bill Congress.gov lists as related to this one — companions in the other chamber, earlier versions, and bills this one absorbed or was folded into.
Katie BrittRepublican · Alabama
Christopher CoonsDemocrat · Delaware
Adam SchiffDemocrat · California
Peter WelchDemocrat · Vermont