E-Tech Caucus to push game-industry jobs

Job creation has been on the tip of nearly every lawmaker's tongue in Washington for the past couple of years. Consequently, the Entertainment Software Association has been aggressively pushing its agenda to secure government funds for game-industry jobs.

Today, those efforts received high-profile support, as US Representatives Kevin Brady (TX-8th) and Debbie Wasserman Schultz (FL-20th) announced the formation of the Congressional Caucus for Competitiveness in Entertainment Technology (E-Tech Caucus). According to the ESA, the caucus will "work to educate policymakers and the public about the economic, educational and social benefits of sustaining a robust entertainment software industry."

Those policy makers likely already have some idea of the economic impact the gaming industry has. A statement issued by the office of Rep. Brady noted that the gaming industry generates $24 billion in sales annually, with high-tech jobs in the sector paying an average salary of $89,000. Piracy and other thefts of intellectual property will also be a key concern of the caucus, Rep. Brady's office said.

"The E-Tech Caucus is about jobs and our competitiveness around the world," said Rep. Brady. "This growing industry has generated more than 120,000 jobs in over 34 states and is a major international player as well. It's time Congress took notice."

"The U.S. entertainment software industry is at the forefront of innovation and education, turning what we have thought about video games on its head," Rep. Wasserman Schultz said. "At the same time that our children are playing Wii Sports, academic researchers are developing games that explore protein folding, and doctors are using video game simulations to hone their skills. We owe it to our children to explore how these technologies can help America continue to lead the world in innovation."

Rep. Brady and Rep. Wasserman Schultz were joined by a number of other House Representatives as founding members of the E-Tech Caucus. A full list is below.

E-Tech Caucus founding members:
Rep. Jason Altmire (PA)
Rep. Howard Berman (CA)
Rep. Marsha Blackburn (TN)
Rep. G.K. Butterfield (NC)
Rep. John Carter (TX)
Rep. Judy Chu (CA)
Rep. Howard Coble (NC)
Rep. Steve Cohen (TN)
Rep. Gerry Connolly (VA)
Rep. Norm Dicks (WA)
Rep. Mike Doyle (PA)
Rep. Anna Eshoo (CA)
Rep. Bob Goodlatte (VA)
Rep. Brett Guthrie (KY)
Rep. Jane Harman (CA)
Rep. Tim Holden (PA)
Rep. Mike Honda (CA)
Rep. Darrell Issa (CA)
Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee (TX)
Rep. Peter King (NY)
Rep. Zoe Lofgren (CA)
Rep. Dan Lungren (CA)
Rep. Jim McDermott (WA)
Rep. James McGovern (MA)
Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers (WA)
Rep. Jim Moran (VA)
Rep. Bill Pascrell (NJ)
Rep. Jared Polis (CO)
Rep. Dave Reichert (WA)
Rep. Laura Richardson (CA)
Rep. Bobby Rush (IL)
Rep. Loretta Sanchez (CA)
Rep. Janice Schakowsky (IL)
Rep. Aaron Schock (IL)
Rep. Lamar Smith (TX)
Rep. Jackie Speier (CA)
Rep. Bennie Thompson (MS)