OVERNIGHT TECH: Tech world anticipates State of the Union

Last year, the president also called for Congress to pass high-skilled immigration reform and ease regulations that prevent start-ups from flourishing. 

“You see, an economy built to last is one where we encourage the talent and ingenuity of every person in this country. … It means we should support everyone who’s willing to work, and every risk-taker and entrepreneur who aspires to become the next Steve Jobs,” Obama said during his speech last year.

“After all, innovation is what America has always been about. Most new jobs are created in start-ups and small businesses. So let’s pass an agenda that helps them succeed,” Obama said. “Tear down regulations that prevent aspiring entrepreneurs from getting the financing to grow.”

{mosads}In the past week, lawmakers have reached out to Obama to make requests on the tech topics he should discuss during his State of the Union address. 

Rep. Jim Langevin (D-R.I.) sent a letter to the president last week calling for him to use his upcoming address to push for cybersecurity legislation. Meanwhile, Sens. Jerry Moran (R-Kan.), Chris Coons (D-Del.) and Mark Warner (D-Va.) asked Obama to speak about the important role entrepreneurs play in the U.S. economy. 

With immigration and cybersecurity on the front burners, it’s unclear if the president will mention intellectual property infringement, theft of trade secrets or the expansion of broadband networks throughout the U.S. — all topics he’s mentioned in recent years. We’ll be tracking the address on Tuesday, so check Hillicon Valley for updates.

Tim Cook to join first lady for SOTU: Apple CEO Tim Cook will sit with first lady Michelle Obama for Tuesday’s State of the Union speech, a White House spokesman confirmed on Monday.

They will be joined by military families, supporters of immigration reform and people who have been affected by gun violence. 

Laurene Powell Jobs, the widow of the late Apple co-founder Steve Jobs, sat with the first lady last year.

Myanmar denies hacking journalists: Myanmar’s government denied on Monday that it attempted to hack into the Internet accounts of foreign and local journalists, The Associated Press reported.

At least 12 journalists received warnings from Google last week that their accounts may have been targeted in state-sponsored attacks. Myanmar only recently began relaxing restrictions on press freedom.

Lawmakers want broadband funding from FCC: Dozens of lawmakers have written to the Federal Communications Commission in recent weeks, expressing concern about whether their states and districts will receive adequate funding from the Connect America Fund, a subsidy for broadband Internet service.

The Utah delegation worried that the FCC’s “overly prescriptive eligibility criteria” will mean that thousands of needy Utah households will continue to lack high-speed Internet access. Iowa’s senators urged the FCC to be more flexible in distributing funds, and a group of New Mexico lawmakers said the agency should distribute the entire first phase of the Connect America Fund by the end of the year.

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT

Cybersecurity order expected Wednesday: The White House is poised to release an executive order aimed at thwarting cyberattacks against critical infrastructure on Wednesday, two people familiar with the matter told The Hill.

The highly anticipated directive from President Obama is expected to be released at a briefing Wednesday morning at the U.S. Department of Commerce, where senior administration officials will provide an update about cybersecurity policy.

The executive order would establish a voluntary program in which companies operating critical infrastructure would elect to meet cybersecurity best practices and standards crafted, in part, by the government. 

Obama to hang out on Google Plus: President Obama will participate in a Google Plus Hangout on Thursday to answer questions about his State of the Union address.

Selected participants “who regularly discuss important issues of the day online” will take part in the video chat with the president and ask questions about his highly anticipated address to Congress on Tuesday, said Ramya Raghavan, head of Google Plus Politics, in a blog post published on Monday.

Government Printing Office joins Pinterest: The Government Printing Office joined photo-sharing website Pinterest on Monday.

The agency will share historic photos, videos, products and government publications on the social media site.

Please send tips and comments to Brendan Sasso, bsasso@digital-staging.thehill.com, and Jennifer Martinez, jmartinez@digital-staging.thehill.com.

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