{"database": "press", "table": "releases", "rows": [["https://ross.house.gov/2022/8/congresswomen-ross-mace-introduce-bipartisan-legislation-bolster-american", "Congresswomen Ross, Mace Introduce Bipartisan Legislation to Bolster American Innovation Through Patent Reform", "2022-08-05", "2022", "2022-08", "Democrat", "House", "NC", "Deborah K. Ross", "R000305", "ross.house.gov", "ross", "https://ross.house.gov/press-releases", "scraper", "Washington D.C. \u2014Today, Congresswomen Deborah Ross (D-NC) and Nancy Mace (R-SC) introduced the Unleashing American Innovators Act, critical legislation that will address disparities in the U.S. patent system and expand access to patents for underrepresented communities.\n\nParticipation in the U.S. patent system lacks diversity, hindering American innovation and competitiveness. The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (PTO) found that only 21.9% of patents had at least one woman inventor in 2019. This legislation will expand resources and outreach to groups that have historically been underrepresented in the patent system and American entrepreneurship, including by creating a new PTO satellite office in the Southeast.\n\n\u201cI\u2019m proud to represent much of the Research Triangle, one of the key centers of American innovation,\u201d said Congresswoman Ross. \u201cFor too long, women, people of color, and veterans have faced unique barriers to participation in the patent system and North Carolina\u2019s thriving innovation economy. We must do everything in our power to bolster American competitiveness and to ensure every individual \u2013 no matter their race, gender, or zip code \u2013 can access the resources they need to succeed. The Unleashing American Innovators Act is an important step towards that goal, and I look forward to working with Congresswoman Mace to see it signed into law.\u201d\n\n\u201cInnovation and invention are part of what makes America the greatest country on earth,\u201d said Congresswoman Mace. \u201cWe must ensure the talented and creative minds of America are able to access the resources they need regardless of their gender or race. This legislation will make a critical step in promoting equal access to the tools that have consistently allowed America to lead the world in technological advancement and entrepreneurship.\u201d\n\nThe Unleashing American Innovators Act:\n\nRequires the PTO\u2019s satellite offices to conduct outreach to underrepresented groups to increase participation in the patent system;\n\nRequires the PTO to establish a new satellite office in the Southeast region and to study whether additional satellite offices are needed;\n\nCreates a network of smaller community outreach offices to educate Americans about the patent system and the benefits of innovation and entrepreneurship;\n\nEstablishes a pilot program to assist first-time prospective patent applicants in determining whether their inventions are likely to be patentable; and\n\nLowers patent application fees for small businesses and micro entities.\n\nSenators Patrick Leahy (D-VT) and Thom Tillis (R-NC) introduced companion legislation in the Senate.\n\nBill text is available here.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T02:59:24Z"]], "columns": ["url", "title", "date", "year", "month", "party", "chamber", "state", "member_name", "bioguide_id", "domain", "scraper", "source", "date_source", "text", "has_text", "collected_at", "updated_at"], "primary_keys": ["url"], "primary_key_values": ["https://ross.house.gov/2022/8/congresswomen-ross-mace-introduce-bipartisan-legislation-bolster-american"], "units": {}, "query_ms": 0.7501249201595783, "source": "dwillis/congress-press", "source_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press", "license": "MIT", "license_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press/blob/main/LICENSE"}