Washington, D.C. – On April 29, 2025, the XR Association (XRA) expressed its support for the Fiscal Year (FY) 2026 appropriations requests submitted to the House Appropriations Committee by the bipartisan Congressional Virtual, Augmented and Mixed Reality Caucus.
In their letter, caucus co-chairs Rep. Suzan DelBene (D-WA) and Rep. Darrell Issa (R-CA) requested a number of programmatic priorities to promote the use of immersive technology (XR). The requests targeted veteran’s mental health; the up-skilling of workers in industrial sectors; critical infrastructure security; and transportation efficiency and safety.
“Immersive technology is already enhancing U.S. productivity, increasing infrastructure safety and security, and helping the American workforce to be the strongest in the world,” said XRA CEO, Elizabeth Hyman. “With U.S. competitors like China investing heavily in the development and deployment of this transformative technology, it is critical that Congress supports continued innovation and expanded use of XR in the United States.”
The caucus’ request underscores growing recognition among lawmakers of the role immersive technology will play in helping the U.S. to achieve economic and national security objectives, and to remain the world’s technology leader in the 21st century. Earlier this year, Representatives DelBene and August Pfluger (R-TX), and Senators Marsha Blackburn (R-TN) and Mark Warner (D-VA) introduced the U.S. Leadership in Immersive Technology Act of 2025 (S.1109/H.R.2321) which would establish an advisory panel tasked with creating a national immersive technology strategy. “We need to stay two steps ahead of our adversaries when it comes to applying immersive technology in American industries and stimulating economic growth,” said Blackburn. “Our United States Leadership in Immersive Technology Act would make certain we can compete with adversaries like the Chinese Communist Party and safeguard national security as virtual reality and augmented reality become more prevalent on the world stage.”
