As a technologist working at the intersection of cloud integration and artificial intelligence, I’ve spent countless hours optimizing architecture, debugging systems, and envisioning how emerging technologies can transform industries. But last month, I found myself in a setting far from the server rooms and development environments I’m used to — the halls of the United States Congress.
I was in Washington, D.C., as part of IEEE-USA’s Congressional Visits Day (CVD), a yearly opportunity for engineers, scientists and innovators to meet with legislators to discuss the policies that shape our work, our economy, and our collective future.
This journey was more than just a visit — it was a chance to bring real-world technical perspectives into the heart of policy discussions.
Inside the Hill: Bringing Engineering to Policymaking
Walking into congressional offices on Capitol Hill is a surreal experience. You see portraits of historical figures; hear the buzz of legislative debate down the hall; and sit down with policymakers who hold the power to influence the future of science and technology in the United States.
My fellow IEEE members and I focused on four key legislative and budgetary priorities:
- H.R.2385 – The CREATE AI Act: This bill seeks to secure U.S. leadership in artificial intelligence through expanded research infrastructure, workforce training and public-private partnerships. As someone building intelligent cloud platforms, I underscored how national investment in AI isn’t just futuristic — it’s fundamental.
- H.R.2627 – The Keep STEM Talent Act: We advocated for reforms that would allow international graduates in STEM to remain in the United States, and contribute to the American economy. I shared how these professionals, often trained in top U.S. institutions, bring irreplaceable talent to fields like data science and systems engineering.
- Sustained Funding for Innovation Agencies: Institutions like NSF, DOE and NASA are essential to America’s innovation pipeline. We reminded legislators that continued, robust support for these agencies translates into discoveries, startups, and jobs.
- Reauthorization of SBIR/STTR Programs: These programs fuel small businesses that turn research into real-world technologies. I highlighted how startups in cloud AI leverage this funding to bring game-changing solutions to market.
The Power of Storytelling in Science Policy
What struck me most during our meetings was how much impact personal stories can have. Congressional staffers and representatives were eager to hear beyond the stats. They wanted to know how immigration policy affects my peers, how federal funding enabled a startup to scale, and what AI legislation means to someone developing next-gen integration platforms.
One aide told me that engineers are among the most effective advocates on the Hill, because we understand how to build things, fix problems and plan for the future.
A Broader Mission
While the day was focused on policy, its implications reach much further. The United States faces increasing competition from nations advancing rapidly in AI, clean energy and quantum computing. To stay ahead, we must do more than innovate — we must legislate wisely, invest smartly, and keep our doors open to the brightest minds.
For me, this experience was a powerful reminder that innovation doesn’t begin or end in the lab. It lives in legislation, budgets, and the voices we raise as citizens. Advocacy is not a distraction from technical work… it is an extension of it.
Moving Forward
Leaving Capitol Hill, I felt energized — not just by the conversations we had, but by the possibilities they represent. As engineers and scientists, we don’t just respond to the future, we help shape it. Yes, that work continues not only in codebases and cloud dashboards, but also in congressional hearings, public policy meetings and civic engagement.
The future of American innovation depends on our ability to participate in shaping the policies that power it. I’m grateful to IEEE-USA for the opportunity to do just that.
I’ll most certainly be back.
