Media, Telecom & Broadcasting

Wireless and wired carriers, broadcasters, publishers, and film and music producers. Spectrum, broadband programs, emergency communications, content rules, and journalism protections decide the reach.

Measures whose provisions reach this industry directly, verified against the bill text. Measures written for this industry lead the list, then measures that plainly change how it operates; within each, the likeliest to become law come first. Measures that have become law or failed are removed. Measures written to all of Information are included and marked Sector-wide.

Measures that reach Media, Telecom & Broadcasting directly

HR 7022 US House Last action
October 14, 2026 MixedGood chance of law

Mystic Alerts Act

August Pfluger (Republican) · Sponsor of record · Official record ↗

What it does: The bill would direct the FCC to write rules for satellite delivery of emergency alerts, and would let commercial mobile providers that offer satellite service opt in to transmitting those alerts, with those that opt in barred from charging subscribers a separate fee and required to honor opt-outs. Providers would have to file an election (and notify subscribers if they decline), and participating providers would receive immunity from subscriber lawsuits over the satellite alerts and related release of subscriber information. This bill requires commercial mobile providers offering satellite voice and data service to file an FCC election on satellite emergency alerts, follow technical standards and honor subscriber opt-outs at no extra fee, while shielding participants and decliners from related liability.
Where it stands: The bill has completed action in both chambers: the House passed it on suspension of the rules by voice vote on April 20, 2026, and the Senate passed it without amendment by Unanimous Consent on September 30, 2026. It was presented to the President on October 15, 2026, and the record shows no signature or veto yet, so it is awaiting presidential action.

S 1962 US Senate Last action
September 24, 2026 BurdenFair chance of law

Secure Space Act of 2026

Deb Fischer (Republican) · Sponsor of record · Official record ↗

What it does: The bill would bar the Federal Communications Commission from granting satellite system licenses, United States market access, or earth station authorizations if a company on the Commission's Covered List, or an affiliate of such a company, would hold or control them. It would apply this ban to any license or authorization granted on or after enactment and would require the Commission to write implementing rules within one year. This bill would bar the FCC from granting satellite system licenses, US market access petitions, or earth station authorizations to satellite and telecom operators that are covered equipment providers or are at least 10 percent owned or controlled by one.
Where it stands: S1962 passed the Senate by unanimous consent on September 23, 2026 with an amendment and an amendment to the title, including an amendment in the nature of a substitute, and was held at the desk in the House on September 24, 2026, where it now sits pending that chamber's action. Because a Senate bill cannot be hooked up by the House, the House must act through its own committee or floor paths to pass identical text.

HR 6048 US House Last action
September 14, 2026 MixedLong shot

NDO Fairness Act of 2025

Scott Fitzgerald (Republican) · Sponsor of record · Official record ↗

What it does: The bill would rewrite the federal rules for court orders that bar email, cloud, and web-hosting providers from telling customers that the government has demanded their records, capping most secrecy orders at 90 days (1 year for child exploitation cases), requiring judges to make written findings and find no less restrictive alternative, and letting providers challenge or modify the orders with a 72-hour pause on compliance. It would also require the government to notify affected customers within 5 business days after a secrecy order expires and to provide a copy of what was disclosed if the customer asks within 180 days, and would have the Attorney General publish an annual report on how often these orders are sought, granted, and used against news media. This bill directly regulates telecom, cloud, and web-hosting providers by capping government secrecy orders at 90 days, giving them 72 hours to challenge orders in court, and requiring customer notice after orders expire.
Where it stands: The House passed the NDO Fairness Act, as amended, by voice vote under suspension of the rules on August 31, 2026, and the Senate received it and referred it to the Committee on the Judiciary on September 14, 2026. The House Committee on the Judiciary had taken the bill up at a markup and voted to report it on November 20, 2025, and the bill is now pending in the Senate, which must pass identical text before anything can go to the President.

HR 6152 US House Last action
September 16, 2026 MixedLong shot

Foreign Robocall Elimination Act

Addison P. McDowell (Republican) · Sponsor of record · Official record ↗

What it does: The bill would direct the Federal Communications Commission to create a taskforce of federal agency and private sector representatives that would study unlawful robocalls coming into the United States from abroad and report recommendations to Congress and federal agencies within 360 days, after which the taskforce would end. It would also require the FCC to write rules making voice service providers that lack established operations, regulatory oversight, or the ability to pay fines post a bond of up to $100,000 before filing a Robocall Mitigation Database certification, while letting established and regulated providers apply for exemptions, and it would give the existing anti-robocall consortium legal immunity for receiving, sharing, or publishing traceback information and let the FCC or consortium publish lists of providers that refuse to participate in tracebacks or that carry substantial unlawful robocalls, on which the FCC could base enforcement. This bill targets voice service providers in the telecom industry by requiring newer providers without established credentials to post bonds up to $100,000 before filing robocall mitigation certifications, while granting the registered trace-back consortium legal immunity and sparing established providers from the bond rule.
Where it stands: The House Committee on Energy and Commerce ordered the Foreign Robocall Elimination Act (H.R. 6152) reported by a 37-0 vote at its markup on September 16, 2026, following referral to the Subcommittee on Communications and Technology on November 19, 2025, a hearing on July 22, 2026, and markups on September 1, 2026 and September 16, 2026. No written committee report has been filed and no calendar placement appears on the record, but neither is a prerequisite for House floor action.

HR 8255 US House Last action
September 16, 2026 BenefitLong shot

SAT Streamlining Act

Brett Guthrie (Republican) · Sponsor of record · Official record ↗

What it does: The bill would add satellite license, market access, and earth station applications to firm Federal Communications Commission timelines, requiring licenses and earth station applications to be granted or denied within 1 year of a covered public notice, renewals within 180 days, and applications other than market access requests to be deemed granted if the agency misses the deadline, with initial terms of up to 20 years and limited exceptions for national security review or extraordinary circumstances. It would also bar state and local governments from regulating the rates charged by holders of these satellite licenses, market access grants, and earth station authorizations, while letting the FCC grant emergency 180-day temporary authorizations and limiting how much information the agency can demand from applicants. This bill gives satellite operators and earth station owners fast FCC decision deadlines with automatic grants if missed, preempts state rate regulation, adds performance metric reporting, and triggers national security review for foreign-owned applicants.
Where it stands: The House Committee on Energy and Commerce marked up the SAT Streamlining Act on September 16, 2026 and ordered it reported as amended by a vote of 35 to 0, following an earlier markup on September 1, 2026 and a hearing on April 21, 2026. That committee vote is the report-out event; no written report or calendar placement appears in the record, so the bill is not on a House calendar.

S 4448 US Senate Last action
July 22, 2026 BurdenLong shot

Accelerating Broadband Permits Act of 2026

John Thune (Republican) · Sponsor of record · Official record ↗

What it does: The bill would require the Assistant Secretary of Commerce to set up a public dashboard showing how Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment Program grant recipients are spending funds and expanding service, plus a tool that grant recipients must use to track their subgrantees' progress on Federal permit applications. It would also require the Assistant Secretary to improve data quality and alert staff at executive agencies to applications at risk of missing the 270-day processing deadline for communications use applications, report annually on delay factors, and add broadband infrastructure projects costing more than $5 million that are subject to NEPA to the list of projects covered under the FAST Act environmental review framework. This bill requires telecommunications carriers serving as BEAD grant recipients and subgrantees to use a federal permit-tracking tool and be shown on a public dashboard, while speeding federal permit approvals and environmental reviews for their broadband projects.
Where it stands: The Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation held a markup on July 22, 2026 and voted to order the bill reported favorably with an amendment in the nature of a substitute, completing the committee stage that is the chamber's most common kill point. No calendar placement appears on the record yet, so the bill rests between the markup report-out and any scheduling or floor action.

S 2666 US Senate Last action
August 10, 2026 MixedLong shot

Foreign Robocall Elimination Act

Ted Budd (Republican) · Sponsor of record · Official record ↗

What it does: The bill would direct the Federal Communications Commission to set up a taskforce on unlawful robocalls within 270 days, made up of federal agency representatives and private sector members, which must report to Congress within 360 days with recommendations on combating illegal robocalls coming from outside the United States, and would let agencies use existing funds to participate. It would also give the existing robocall trace-back consortium legal immunity for receiving, sharing, or publishing trace-back information, let the FCC or the consortium publish lists of voice providers that refuse to help tracebacks or carry large volumes of unlawful robocalls so the FCC can pursue enforcement, change the consortium's reporting to the FCC from annual to once every 3 years, and require the FCC to write rules making certain providers post a bond of up to $100,000 before certifying to the Robocall Mitigation Database, with exemptions for established, regulated providers. This bill requires voice service providers to post a bond of up to $100,000 to register in the Robocall Mitigation Database, exempts established providers that show legitimate operations, and grants legal immunity to the industry consortium that shares robocall trace back information.
Where it stands: The Senate passed S. 2666 with an amendment by unanimous consent on August 3, 2026, and the bill has been held at the desk in the House since August 10, 2026. It is now entirely up to the House: the bill sits there as a message awaiting that chamber's action, and the Senate can do nothing further until the House responds.

HR 5200 US House Last action
April 21, 2026 MixedLong shot

Emergency Reporting Act

Doris O. Matsui (Democrat) · Sponsor of record · Official record ↗

What it does: The Federal Communications Commission is directed to hold annual public hearings and issue reports on communication outages following disasters where the Disaster Information Reporting System was active for at least seven days. The Commission must also conduct an investigation and publish a report on the value and practicality of adding visual information to outage notifications sent to emergency communications centers. This bill requires telecom and broadband providers whose networks went down during disasters to be covered by annual FCC hearings and outage reports, and have their burden studied if outage alerts add visual information, while limiting FCC authority over broadband.
Where it stands: The House passed H.R. 5200 on April 20, 2026 by suspension of the rules, and the Senate received the bill on April 21, 2026, reading it twice and placing it on the Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders with Calendar No. 375. The bill is no longer before the House, having completed its action in the originating chamber.

HR 6291 US House Last action
December 11, 2025 MixedLong shot

Children and Teens’ Online Privacy Protection Act

Sector-wide

Tim Walberg (Republican) · Sponsor of record · Official record ↗

What it does: The bill would expand the Children's Online Privacy Protection Act to cover teens under the age of 17, make it unlawful to collect, use, disclose, or maintain children's or teens' personal information for individual-specific targeted advertising, and add biometric data, geolocation, photos, videos, and voice recordings to the types of information protected. It would also give parents and teens new rights to delete, correct, and access collected data, require reasonable security practices, direct the Federal Trade Commission to study a shared parental-consent mechanism and report on enforcement and on large social media companies' practices, and preempt state laws that relate to the Act's provisions.
Where it stands: HR6291 was referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce on November 25, 2025 and referred to its Subcommittee on Commerce, Manufacturing, and Trade, which held a hearing on December 2, 2025 and then, at a markup on December 11, 2025, voted 14-10 to forward the bill to the full committee. The full committee held a further markup on March 5, 2026, but no recorded action on the bill has followed it.

S 2873 US Senate Last action
September 18, 2025 BenefitLong shot

Undersea Cable Protection Act of 2025

Marsha Blackburn (Republican) · Sponsor of record · Official record ↗

What it does: The bill prohibits the Secretary from requiring additional authorizations for undersea fiber optic cable activities in national marine sanctuaries if those activities have already been authorized by a Federal or State agency. It also allows the Secretary to direct the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration to engage in interagency cooperation regarding these cable activities. This bill exempts telecom carriers from needing extra federal or state authorizations to install, operate, maintain, repair, or recover undersea fiber optic cables through national marine sanctuaries, speeding projects and cutting duplicate permitting costs.
Where it stands: S2873 was read twice and referred to the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation on September 18, 2025. The measure is stalled in committee with no scheduled meetings, while the companion HR261 was received in the Senate and referred to the same committee on February 12, 2026.

HR 10705 US House Last action
October 1, 2026 BenefitLong shot

Stop SIM Box Scams Act

Jefferson Shreve (Republican) · Sponsor of record · Official record ↗

What it does: The bill would add a ban to the Communications Act making it illegal 180 days after enactment to manufacture, import, sell, lease, advertise, possess, use, or distribute SIM boxes, meaning devices that pool multiple SIM cards to disguise call origins, defeat caller ID authentication, or evade carrier controls, with the Federal Communications Commission required to write implementing rules, publish permitted and prohibited device lists, and coordinate with other agencies on enforcement. It would let the FCC issue cease-and-desist orders, treat each device or day of violation as a separate offense, subject violators to forfeiture of the equipment, give injured mobile carriers a private right of action with possible attorney's fees, and shield carriers from liability for good-faith acts helping detect or report SIM box activity, while barring state laws that conflict with it but allowing stricter state rules on SIM boxes. This bill bans SIM box devices and software adapted to work as them, hitting manufacturers and software publishers in the industry, while giving wireless carriers the right to sue violators, recover damages and fees, and safe harbor from liability.
Where it stands: HR10705 was referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce on October 1, 2026. It is at the earliest stage of the committee process, where the chair decides whether a hearing or a markup is ever noticed, and no such session is scheduled in the calendar data.

HR 10695 US House Last action
October 1, 2026 MixedLong shot

United States Submarine Cable Security Policy Act of 2026

August Pfluger (Republican) · Sponsor of record · Official record ↗

What it does: The bill would shift authority over licenses to land or operate submarine cables from the President to the Federal Communications Commission, which would have to accept, review, and decide applications on fixed deadlines, with applications automatically deemed approved if the agency misses them. It would direct a federal security committee and the FCC to create standard and enhanced security measures as license conditions, let qualifying applicants self-certify their way out of a committee review that can last up to a year, and bar the FCC from imposing extra security requirements such as negotiated security agreements except when the committee shows a national security risk the standard rules do not cover. This bill directly affects telecommunications carriers that apply for or hold submarine cable landing licenses, giving them faster FCC decisions, self-certification and pending-application landing rights, while requiring them to comply with new standard or enhanced security measures.
Where it stands: HR10695 was referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce on October 1, 2026 and sits at the very start of the committee stage; no hearing or markup is scheduled in our calendar data.

S 5617 US Senate Last action
September 30, 2026 BenefitLong shot

Combating Critical Infrastructure Vandalism Act of 2026

Eric Schmitt (Republican) · Sponsor of record · Official record ↗

What it does: The bill would make it a federal crime, punishable by a fine and up to 10 years in prison, to willfully or maliciously injure, destroy, or steal, or attempt or conspire to do so, any copper, fiber, or coaxial cable used to provide telecommunications or information services in interstate or foreign commerce, whether built or still under construction. It would also make the new cable provision inapplicable to equipment on a customer's property that the customer owns, rents, or leases, while preserving the existing exception for lawful concerted activities. This bill benefits telecom and internet providers by making it a federal crime, punishable by up to 10 years in prison, to vandalize or steal the copper, fiber, or coaxial cables they use to deliver services, including lines still under construction.
Where it stands: S5617 was read twice and referred to the Senate Committee on the Judiciary on September 30, 2026. The bill now sits at the committee stage, the chamber's most common choke point, where future action depends on the committee taking it up.

HR 10582 US House Last action
September 24, 2026 BenefitLong shot

Motion Picture, Television, and Entertainment Revitalization Act

Nathaniel Moran (Republican) · Sponsor of record · Official record ↗

What it does: The bill would create a new federal income tax credit for American film and television productions equal to 20 percent of wages paid to US-based actors, directors, producers, and production personnel on productions costing more than $1 million, with 75 percent of principal photography days shot in the United States, and the credit could rise to as much as 30 percent through add-ons for independent producers, rural opportunity zone or disaster area filming, multistate producers, and companies that increase domestic production. The bill would also extend a similar credit to US-based visual effects and post-production work, allow the credit to be transferred to other taxpayers, and apply it to productions whose principal photography begins in tax years after December 31, 2026. This bill gives film and television producers, including independent and multi-state producers, plus visual effects and post-production studios, a federal tax credit worth 20 to 30 percent of US-based production compensation, while excluding news, sports, social media, and advertising content.
Where it stands: HR10582 was referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means on September 24, 2026 and sits at the committee stage, the usual first stop for House bills; no hearing or markup is scheduled, so the next committee step rests with the Ways and Means chair.

S 5552 US Senate Last action
September 24, 2026 MixedLong shot

Motion Picture, Television, and Entertainment Revitalization Act

Tim Scott (Republican) · Sponsor of record · Official record ↗

What it does: The bill would create a new federal tax credit for American film and television productions, equal to 20 percent of wages and contractor pay for US-based production work, rising to as much as 30 percent for productions that film in rural opportunity zones or disaster areas, are made by independent or multi-state producers, or increase domestic output. It would also extend the credit to US-based visual effects work and traditional post-production projects, allow the credit to be transferred to other taxpayers, and apply to productions whose principal photography starts in tax years beginning after December 31, 2026. This bill gives film and television producers, visual effects studios, and post-production houses a federal income tax credit covering 20 to 30 percent of wages paid to US-based production workers, while requiring reporting on filming dates, locations, and compensation.
Where it stands: S5552 was read twice and referred to the Senate Committee on Finance on September 24, 2026, so it is at the committee stage, which is the chamber's most common choke point. The companion measure, HR10582, has not been reported and has not passed a chamber; it was referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means the same day.

S 5508 US Senate Last action
September 24, 2026 MixedLong shot

Telecommunications Cybersecurity and Resilience Act

Mark R. Warner (Democrat) · Sponsor of record · Official record ↗

What it does: The bill would create a public-private Telecommunications Cybersecurity Working Group within the Commerce Department's telecommunications agency, with federal and industry members, to write voluntary cybersecurity best practices for telecom carriers and their suppliers and to set criteria for independent third-party assessors. Carriers and other eligible firms that elect to be certified against those practices would gain an affirmative defense in federal and state court that certification shows due care in preventing or mitigating cyber incidents, plus protection from state cybersecurity laws that conflict with the program, and the bill states it grants no federal agencies new regulatory authority. This bill lets telecommunications carriers earn an affirmative defense against cybersecurity lawsuits and protection from conflicting state laws by paying for voluntary third-party certification, while imposing whistleblower liability and barring carrier-owned assessors.
Where it stands: S5508 was read twice and referred to the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation on September 24, 2026. It now sits in committee with no hearing or markup on the calendar, the stage where most Senate bills never reach a markup.

S 5529 US Senate Last action
September 24, 2026 MixedLong shot

DEFEND IP Act

Thom Tillis (Republican) · Sponsor of record · Official record ↗

What it does: The bill would add a process letting copyright owners ask a US district court to designate a foreign website as a foreign digital piracy site, and then to obtain an order directing large broadband providers (50,000+ subscribers) and public domain name resolution services with over $100 million in annual revenue to block US users from reaching it. The site's operator could contest the designation within 20 days, the designation would expire after 360 days while blocking orders would last one year with possible extensions, service providers would get immunity for good-faith compliance, and they could ask the court to make the petitioner reimburse their direct compliance costs. This bill lets copyright owners get court orders requiring large broadband providers and public DNS resolvers to block foreign piracy sites, while granting those telecom service providers immunity from liability and possible reimbursement of their compliance costs.
Where it stands: S5529, the DEFEND IP Act, was read twice and referred to the Senate Committee on the Judiciary on September 24, 2026, where it now sits at the committee stage. In the Senate, this is the first and most common choke point, and the bill has no hearing or markup on the committee's calendar in our data.

HR 10453 US House Last action
September 16, 2026 BurdenLong shot

Communications and Technology Transparency Act of 2026

Frank Pallone, Jr. (Democrat) · Sponsor of record · Official record ↗

What it does: The measure would broaden the Secure and Trusted Communications Networks Act from covering communications equipment and services to covering information and communications technology or services as defined under federal regulations, and it would require the FCC to update the covered list at least every six months, rely on certain Commerce Department determinations, and remove an item within 180 days after the determination behind it is reversed. It would also bar the FCC from placing anything on the list unless it is produced or provided by a foreign-adversary-controlled entity, require reports to Congress before additions, treat category-wide listings as major rules subject to congressional review, require quarterly FCC-Commerce meetings with annual reports, and prohibit covered entities and their affiliates from obtaining or holding FCC authorizations and licenses while letting equipment authorizations issued before a listing stand without FCC review or revocation. This bill expands the duties telecommunications carriers must meet by replacing the term communications equipment or service with the broader information and communications technology or service in the Act, widening what carriers must cover.
Where it stands: HR10453 was referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce on September 16, 2026 and has had no further action. Under House practice, the committee chair decides whether a hearing or a markup is ever noticed, so the bill now sits at a common quiet death point for measures at this stage.

HR 10364 US House Last action
September 14, 2026 MixedLong shot

American Copyright Protection Act of 2026

Darrell Issa (Republican) · Sponsor of record · Official record ↗

What it does: The bill would add a new chapter to federal copyright law letting copyright owners sue in designated federal courts for a declaration that a foreign website is a piracy site and for orders requiring large US internet providers, domain name resolution services, and virtual private networks to take commercially reasonable steps to block US users from reaching it. Orders would expire within 12 months but could be extended in 12-month increments, service providers could recover directly incurred implementation costs from the copyright owner, and the regime would take effect 6 months after enactment with the Copyright Office reporting to Congress at 2 and 5 years. This bill lets film, music, publishing, and software copyright holders sue foreign piracy sites, while requiring internet, DNS, and VPN providers named by courts to block those sites in exchange for reimbursement and protection from infringement liability.
Where it stands: HR10364 was referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary on September 14, 2026 and sits at committee stage. The Judiciary chair decides whether a hearing or a markup is ever noticed, though committee action is the ordinary route rather than an absolute prerequisite.

HR 10332 US House Last action
September 10, 2026 BurdenLong shot

Sunset Section 230 Act

Mark DeSaulnier (Democrat) · Sponsor of record · Official record ↗

What it does: The bill would repeal the federal law known as Section 230, which currently shields websites and other interactive computer services from liability for most content their users post, ending that legal immunity two years after the president signs it. It would also rewrite other federal laws that reference Section 230 so that related definitions and rules instead point to a different communications statute, and it would strike conforming provisions scattered across the trademark, copyright, criminal, controlled substances, alcohol, and other code titles. This bill repeals Section 230, ending the legal shield that protects internet and telecom access providers and online platforms in this industry from lawsuits over content their users post.
Where it stands: HR10332, the Sunset Section 230 Act, was referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce on September 10, 2026 and sits at the committee stage; available calendar data lists no upcoming meetings and no markup has been noticed.

HR 10337 US House Last action
September 10, 2026 MixedLong shot

16 & Up Social Media Act

Erin Houchin (Republican) · Sponsor of record · Official record ↗

What it does: The bill would bar social media platforms that use engagement-boosting design features like infinite scrolling, autoplay, notifications, or personalized recommendations from allowing anyone under 16 to create or keep an account, and would require them to identify and terminate existing underage accounts within set deadlines, delete the personal data collected from those users, and provide an appeal process for users challenging an age determination. Violations would be enforced by the Federal Trade Commission as unfair or deceptive practices, with state attorneys general also able to sue for damages or compliance, and the rules would take effect one year after enactment. This bill directly regulates social media and content-sharing platforms in this industry, requiring those with features like infinite scrolling, autoplay, notifications, or personalized recommendations to bar users under 16, delete their data, and run appeals, while exempting platforms without those features and preempting state laws.
Where it stands: HR10337, the 16 & Up Social Media Act, was referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce on September 10, 2026 and has had no further action since. At this stage the bill sits at the committee's discretion, where the chair alone decides whether any hearing or markup is ever noticed.

HR 10300 US House Last action
September 4, 2026 BurdenLong shot

Big Tech Accountability Act

James P. McGovern (Democrat) · Sponsor of record · Official record ↗

What it does: The bill would create new federal crimes, carrying fines and up to 5 years in prison, for knowingly spreading materially false information about government services such as voting, public health, the census, and education, and up to 2 years for internet posts encouraging violence that are calculated to reach 500 or more viewers, with publishing entities, including print publishers, broadcasters, and social media platforms, facing the same liability when they knowingly disseminate such misinformation, use algorithmic targeting to spread it, or amplify violence-encouraging posts that are viewed 10,000 or more times. It would strip federal legal immunity from platforms that target content at individuals or profit from amplifying misinformation, violence, or disinformation, ban covered online platforms such as websites, apps, social networks, search engines, and advertising networks from targeting advertisements at individuals or specific groups on any basis, with civil penalties up to $50,000 per violation and private lawsuits awarding $100 to $5,000 per violation, and direct the Federal Trade Commission to recommend reforms restricting collection, aggregation, and sale of personal information without meaningful consent within 120 days of enactment. This bill imposes criminal fines, prison terms, and civil penalties on print publishers, broadcasters, and social media platforms for knowingly disseminating fraudulent civic misinformation or amplifying violence-encouraging posts, strips platforms' liability immunity, and bans targeted advertising by online platforms.
Where it stands: HR10300 was referred on September 4, 2026 to the Committee on the Judiciary and in addition to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker. The bill is at the earliest committee stage, where each panel decides whether to take it up at all.

HR 10249 US House Last action
September 3, 2026 BurdenLong shot

Kids Safety on Set Act of 2026

Donald S. Beyer, Jr. (Democrat) · Sponsor of record · Official record ↗

What it does: The bill would require anyone working on an entertainment project who has supervisory duties, compulsory authority over, or frequent or private interaction with a minor other than their own child or ward to pass an FBI fingerprint background check, limited to sex, violence, stalking, and offenses against minors, within 90 days before starting work or receiving an ownership stake, with the entertainment company paying up to $100 per check. If a covered employee lacks such a check, the Attorney General could impose a civil penalty of up to twice the cost of that employee's production activity and obtain court orders halting all production the employee is involved in until the person complies or is removed, stripped of any ownership stake above 2 percent of project equity, and barred from set access and investor privileges. This bill requires film, TV, streaming, music, theater, and other entertainment producers to pay for FBI fingerprint background checks on workers supervising or interacting with minors, with penalties up to twice production costs and production halts for noncompliance.
Where it stands: H.R. 10249, the Kids Safety on Set Act of 2026, was referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary on September 3, 2026, and no further action is recorded. The bill now sits with the Judiciary chair, who under House practice decides whether a hearing or a markup is ever noticed, though committee action is not the only possible route.

HR 10288 US House Last action
September 3, 2026 BenefitLong shot

Rural Broadband Modernization Act

David Schweikert (Republican) · Sponsor of record · Official record ↗

What it does: The bill would bar the USDA's ReConnect rural broadband loan and grant program from denying or down-ranking applications based on the technology used, opening the program to satellite and other non-terrestrial providers, while requiring funded projects to deliver at least 100 Mbps download and 20 Mbps upload speeds. It would also require the Agriculture Department to publish, within 30 days of each award, a report on the locations to be served and the technology used, to publish a report after each project's completion on the assistance disbursed and locations served, and to issue implementing regulations within 180 days of enactment. This bill lets satellite and other non-terrestrial broadband providers compete equally for USDA ReConnect rural loans and grants, while requiring funded projects from any telecom provider to deliver at least 100 Mbps download and 20 Mbps upload speeds.
Where it stands: HR10288 was referred on September 3, 2026 to the House Committee on Agriculture and, in addition, to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, with no single panel established as primary. The bill sits at the start of the committee stage, where a hearing or markup happens only if a committee chair notices one, though leadership, suspension, a special rule, or discharge could provide another path.

HR 10125 US House Last action
August 20, 2026 BurdenLong shot

NO PROFIT Act

James A. Himes (Democrat) · Sponsor of record · Official record ↗

What it does: This bill prohibits any person from trading securities, commodities, or speculative contracts while aware of material information obtained through prioritized access to social media accounts of government officials. It also makes it unlawful for social media platforms to knowingly offer prioritized access to communications from these accounts, subjecting violators to civil penalties equal to the revenue received from such access. This bill directly restricts social media platforms in the media and telecom industry by making it unlawful to sell prioritized access to government officials' posts, with civil penalties equal to all revenue received from such access.
Where it stands: The NO PROFIT Act was referred on August 20, 2026, to the House Committee on Financial Services, the House Committee on Agriculture, and the House Committee on Energy and Commerce. The Speaker determines the duration of consideration for each panel, which reviews provisions within their respective jurisdictions.

S 5226 US Senate Last action
August 4, 2026 BurdenLong shot

Parental Approval for Youth Social Media Act of 2026

Ruben Gallego (Democrat) · Sponsor of record · Official record ↗

What it does: The bill would prohibit social media platforms from allowing children under 16 to create or maintain accounts without verifiable parental consent. It would also require platforms to establish parent-supervised accounts with specific oversight tools and verify user ages through reasonable steps. This bill directly burdens social media platform providers in this industry by requiring verifiable parental consent for users under 16, parent-supervised accounts, age checks, and deletion of verification data, raising costs and shrinking young audiences.
Where it stands: S5226 was read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation on August 4, 2026. The measure is currently in committee with no upcoming meetings scheduled.

S 5015 US Senate Last action
July 16, 2026 MixedLong shot

Broadband MAP Act of 2026

John Thune (Republican) · Sponsor of record · Official record ↗

What it does: This act requires the Federal Communications Commission to start a rulemaking process within 120 days of enactment to review how broadband availability maps are updated and challenged. The review must evaluate the impact of map changes on funding decisions, service providers, and the fairness of the current update procedures. This bill directs the FCC to review how broadband availability maps are updated and challenged, affecting broadband providers whose funding eligibility and reporting burdens depend on the accuracy of those maps.
Where it stands: The bill was read twice and referred to the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation on July 16, 2026, and is currently pending in that committee.

S 5003 US Senate Last action
July 15, 2026 BenefitLong shot

ACCESS Rural America Act

Tammy Baldwin (Democrat) · Sponsor of record · Official record ↗

What it does: This proposal would exempt securities of rural telephone companies from certain registration requirements if they provide broadband service and meet specific subscriber and investor count limits. To qualify, these companies must file a simplified financial summary form with the Securities and Exchange Commission and deliver it to shareholders within 120 days of their fiscal year end. This bill lets rural telephone companies with fewer than 100,000 subscribers that provide broadband service skip certain SEC securities registration requirements if they file a simplified financial summary with shareholders within 120 days of fiscal year end.
Where it stands: S5003 was read twice and referred to the Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs on July 15, 2026. The bill is currently pending in committee with no scheduled meetings listed.

S 4968 US Senate Last action
July 14, 2026 MixedLong shot

Mystic Alerts Act

John Cornyn (Republican) · Sponsor of record · Official record ↗

What it does: The bill would direct the Federal Communications Commission to write rules letting wireless carriers that offer satellite service elect to send emergency alerts to their subscribers by satellite, with carriers required to file an election within 60 days after the final rule takes effect, and the rule taking effect no earlier than 36 months after publication or 12 months after homeland security and FEMA standards are in place. Carriers that opt in could not charge subscribers a separate fee for satellite alerting and would receive protection from lawsuits over alerts sent, missed, or subscriber information shared with emergency agencies, while carriers that opt out would have to notify their subscribers of that choice. This bill requires satellite-enabled mobile service providers to file an FCC election on transmitting emergency alerts, then send them free of extra charge with subscriber opt-outs, while shielding them from lawsuits over alert transmission.
Where it stands: S4968, the Mystic Alerts Act, was read twice and referred to the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation on July 14, 2026, placing it at the ordinary committee stage, where the committee may hold a hearing, convene a markup, or let the bill sit, and where most bills in this chamber quietly stall.

HR 9578 US House Last action
July 2, 2026 BurdenLong shot

Spot the Fakes Act

Josh Gottheimer (Democrat) · Sponsor of record · Official record ↗

What it does: This bill requires owners and controllers of AI-generated content to label that content as AI-generated using metadata or other technological means for indelible verification. The Federal Trade Commission would enforce this labeling requirement as an unfair or deceptive practice and would establish the specific disclosure methods within six months of enactment. This bill requires media companies including film studios, sound recorders, publishers, software publishers, and streaming platforms that own or control AI-generated content to label it with indelible metadata, enforced by the FTC as an unfair or deceptive practice.
Where it stands: The bill was referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce on July 2, 2026, and remains in the committee stage with no scheduled hearings or markups.

S 4915 US Senate Last action
June 24, 2026 MixedLong shot

AI Labeling Act of 2026

Brian Schatz (Democrat) · Sponsor of record · Official record ↗

What it does: The bill requires providers of generative artificial intelligence systems and large online platforms to embed visible and machine-readable labels in AI-generated content that appears realistic to viewers. It also prohibits the creation or distribution of tools designed to remove these labels or falsely apply them to non-AI content, with enforcement handled by the Federal Trade Commission and the Attorney General. This bill requires generative AI providers and online platforms like social networks, search engines, and streaming services to label and detect AI-generated content, and bans making tools that remove or fake those labels, with FTC enforcement and a right to sue violators.
Where it stands: The bill was read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation on June 24, 2026, placing it in the committee stage.

S 4882 US Senate Last action
June 24, 2026 BurdenLong shot

ICTS Supply Chain Security Act of 2026

Tim Scott (Republican) · Sponsor of record · Official record ↗

What it does: This bill establishes a new federal office to prohibit or restrict information and communications technology transactions involving countries deemed national security threats. It imposes criminal penalties of up to 20 years imprisonment and civil fines of up to $1.5 million or five times the transaction value for violations. This bill prohibits wired, wireless, satellite, and other telecommunications carriers and software publishers in this industry from acquiring, importing, installing, or using information and communications technology from countries of concern, with civil fines and up to 20 years imprisonment for violations.
Where it stands: The bill has been read twice and referred to the Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs as of June 24, 2026. No upcoming meetings are scheduled in the current calendar data.

HR 9253 US House Last action
June 10, 2026 MixedLong shot

Protect Working Musicians Act of 2026

Deborah K. Ross (Democrat) · Sponsor of record · Official record ↗

What it does: The bill would create a limited antitrust exemption allowing individual music creators who own their copyrights and earn under $1 million in licensing revenue, or qualify as small businesses, to join together to collectively negotiate licensing terms with, or collectively withhold their music from, large online music streaming platforms with more than $100 million in annual music revenue and companies developing or deploying generative artificial intelligence. The exemption would apply only if the negotiations cover more than price, treat similarly situated creators nondiscriminatorily, and involve no parties other than the creators and those platforms, and it would leave the antitrust laws otherwise unchanged. This bill lets independent musicians, songwriters, and small music businesses collectively negotiate or refuse to license their music, exempting them from antitrust law, while large streaming platforms and generative AI companies face organized bargaining and higher licensing costs.
Where it stands: HR9253, the Protect Working Musicians Act of 2026, was referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary on June 10, 2026 and no further action appears in the record. No hearing or markup is scheduled, so the bill sits with the Judiciary chair, whose decision whether to notice a markup is the ordinary controlling step.

S 3639 US Senate Last action
February 12, 2026 MixedLong shotNew text pending

SAT Streamlining Act

Ted Cruz (Republican) · Sponsor of record · Official record ↗

What it does: The bill would impose deadlines on the Federal Communications Commission to decide satellite license applications, major amendments, renewals, and certain modifications within set periods (one year for licenses and major amendments, 180 days for renewals, and 90 or 30 days for routine modifications), and would deem granted, once the applicant gives written notice, any application the FCC misses, while allowing extensions only for narrow reasons like national security or a funding lapse. It would also cap market access grants at 15 years, bar state and local governments from regulating the rates charged by satellite licensees and market access grantees, require national security review of applicants with reportable foreign ownership, and direct the FCC to streamline information requirements and report annually on its application backlog. This bill gives satellite operators and telecom carriers holding FCC earth station licenses faster decisions with automatic approval if the FCC misses deadlines, 15-year market access limits, reduced paperwork, and protection from state rate regulation, while requiring national security review of foreign-owned applicants.
Where it stands: On January 14, 2026 the bill was read twice and referred to the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, and on February 12, 2026 that committee, at a markup, ordered it reported favorably with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. The adopted committee amendment text is pending, no written report appears in the record, and no calendar placement is in the record, so the bill is not shown as sitting on the Calendar of Business.

S 4649 US Senate Last action
June 1, 2026 MixedLong shot

Email Privacy Act

Mike Lee (Republican) · Sponsor of record · Official record ↗

What it does: The bill would require government agencies to get a court warrant before obtaining stored email and other communications content from service providers, closing the loophole that allowed access to content stored longer than 180 days without a warrant, and it would extend the same warrant rule to cloud and remote computing providers that store customer data. It would also let providers tell their customers when the government has served them with a warrant, court order, or subpoena for those communications. This bill requires telecom and other communication service providers to release customers' stored email and communications only with a court warrant and lets them tell customers when the government demands their data.
Where it stands: S4649, the Email Privacy Act, was read twice and referred to the Senate Committee on the Judiciary on June 1, 2026. The bill now sits at the committee stage, where the committee's chair decides whether anything happens at all; committees need not act on referred bills.

HR 1681 US House Last action
April 21, 2026 BenefitLong shot

Expediting Federal Broadband Deployment Reviews Act

Gabe Evans (Republican) · Sponsor of record · Official record ↗

What it does: The bill would require the Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Communications and Information to set up, within 180 days, an interagency strike force of agency heads and designees to make the Bureau of Land Management and the Forest Service, down to their field and district offices, prioritize reviewing applications to place communications facilities like broadband equipment on public lands and National Forest land. The strike force would hold periodic calls, set objective goals for these reviews, monitor whether the agencies meet the goals, and report to Congress on its effectiveness within 270 days of enactment. This bill helps telecommunications carriers, broadband providers, and satellite operators by requiring federal land agencies to prioritize and speed up review of permits for building communications facilities like towers on public lands.
Where it stands: The House passed the bill on April 20, 2026 under suspension of the rules by a 384 to 9 vote (Roll no. 125), and it was received in the Senate and referred to the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation on April 21, 2026. The bill is no longer before the House; the Senate must pass identical text before anything can go to the President.

HR 9067 US House Last action
May 29, 2026 BurdenLong shot

To amend the Communications Act of 1934 to provide for a gender identity content descriptor for video programming, and for other purposes.

Barry Moore (Republican) · Sponsor of record · Official record ↗

What it does: The bill would direct the Federal Communications Commission to check within 90 days whether the voluntary TV Parental Guidelines already include a gender identity content descriptor that is consistently transmitted with children's programming, and if not, to write rules requiring video programming distributors to transmit a descriptor marking programming that depicts, discusses, or promotes gender identity, gender transition, transgender identity, or non-binary identity when that programming is marketed to children. The descriptor would need to work with the V-chip and other parental-control tools where technically feasible, and the bill states it cannot be used to ban or censor any programming. This bill requires video programming distributors such as broadcasters, cable, and satellite providers to transmit a gender identity content descriptor for children's programs if the TV Parental Guidelines are not voluntarily revised, adding labeling costs for the industry.
Where it stands: HR9067 was referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce on May 29, 2026 and has not advanced since. Nothing in the record shows a hearing, a markup, or any further committee or floor action, and no meetings are scheduled.

HR 9016 US House Last action
May 22, 2026 BenefitLong shot

Email Privacy Act

Suzan K. DelBene (Democrat) · Sponsor of record · Official record ↗

What it does: The bill would require government agencies to get a warrant before forcing email and cloud service providers to turn over stored customer communications, ending the old rule that treated emails older than 180 days as fair game without one, while carving out communications involving the provider's own employees, messages already made public to promote a product, and congressional inquiries. It would also let providers tell their subscribers when they receive a warrant, court order, or subpoena for their data. This bill gives email, cloud, and web hosting providers a warrant-based process for handing over stored customer communications and lets them notify subscribers when the government seeks their data.
Where it stands: HR9016, the Email Privacy Act, was referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary on May 22, 2026, and no further action is recorded, with no upcoming meetings scheduled in the calendar data.

HR 8994 US House Last action
May 21, 2026 BenefitLong shot

Protect Working Musicians Act of 2026

Deborah K. Ross (Democrat) · Sponsor of record · Official record ↗

What it does: The bill would create a limited antitrust safe harbor allowing small, self-owned music creators (those earning under $1 million in annual licensing revenue or qualifying as small businesses) to band together to negotiate licensing terms with large online music platforms, defined as streaming services with over $100 million in annual music revenue, and with generative AI developers, without violating antitrust laws. It would also let these creators collectively refuse to license their recordings to such platforms or AI companies, provided the negotiations go beyond price alone, treat similarly situated creators equally, and involve no outside parties. This bill protects independent music creators and small sound recording copyright owners in the media industry from antitrust liability when they collectively negotiate or withhold their music from major streaming platforms and AI developers.
Where it stands: HR8994 was referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary on May 21, 2026 and sits at the referral stage with no markup or other committee action on the calendar. The Judiciary chair decides whether to notice a hearing or a markup, and referred bills that go unscheduled typically lapse when the Congress ends, though House leadership, suspension, a special rule, or discharge could still provide a path past committee.

S 4561 US Senate Last action
July 15, 2026 MixedLong shot

CLOSE THE GAP Act

John Barrasso (Republican) · Sponsor of record · Official record ↗

What it does: This bill requires federal land management agencies to create standardized, uniform regulations for permitting broadband infrastructure on federal land, including establishing online portals for applications and setting minimum 30-year lease terms. It also mandates the creation of a special Treasury account for agencies to retain fees collected from these permits to fund related administrative activities and personnel training. This bill helps wired and wireless telecom carriers build communications facilities on federal land by standardizing permits, offering 30-year leases and NEPA exclusions, while charging annual cost recovery fees.
Where it stands: The CLOSE THE GAP Act is in the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources, where a subcommittee hearing occurred on July 15, 2026, but the bill has not yet been ordered reported.

S 4557 US Senate Last action
May 18, 2026 BurdenLong shot

Outage Refund Protection Act

Ben Ray Luján (Democrat) · Sponsor of record · Official record ↗

What it does: The bill would require telephone, cable, direct broadcast satellite, and internet providers with more than 5,000 customers to automatically credit customer bills for service outages lasting 4 hours or more, at 1/30 of the monthly rate per day, and to refund any leftover credit by check, no-fee prepaid debit card, or electronic transfer no later than 30 days after the outage when a customer cancels service, with an exception for outages during pre-planned maintenance announced in advance. It would also direct the Federal Communications Commission and Federal Trade Commission to write rules within 18 months covering customer service standards such as recording calls for a year, no fees for callbacks, missed appointment standards, and equipment return options for people with disabilities, and would require broadband providers to report internet outages to the FCC during Disaster Information Reporting System activations. This bill directly burdens large telephone, cable, satellite TV, and broadband internet providers by requiring automatic bill credits and refunds for outages of four hours or more, plus outage reporting, one-year call recording retention, accessibility standards, and a ban on callback fees.
Where it stands: S4557, the Outage Refund Protection Act, was read twice and referred to the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation on May 18, 2026. It now sits in committee, where most bills go without any further action.

HR 4032 US House Last action
June 17, 2025 BurdenLong shot

Lowering Broadband Costs for Consumers Act of 2025

Sector-wide

Randy Feenstra (Republican) · Sponsor of record · Official record ↗

What it does: The bill requires the Federal Communications Commission to expand the Universal Service Fund contribution base to include broadband and edge providers, while also creating a new support mechanism for eligible carriers in high-cost areas. Edge providers are exempt if they transmit less than 3 percent of U.S. broadband data and earn under $5 billion, or if their contribution would be de minimis.
Where it stands: HR 4032 is referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce as of June 17, 2025, with no scheduled committee meetings currently listed. The companion Senate bill remains in the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation without further action.

HR 7757 US House Last action
July 13, 2026 MixedLong shot

KIDS Act

Sector-wide

Brett Guthrie (Republican) · Sponsor of record · Official record ↗

What it does: The bill would impose online safety rules on platforms, social gaming providers, and AI chatbots that serve minors, including age verification to block minors from sexual content, parental controls, messaging safeguards, advertising limits, and expanded children's privacy protections covering teens up to 18 with new consent, deletion, and targeted-advertising restrictions. It would also create a Kids Internet Safety Partnership to publish reports and best practices, mandate federal studies and educational programs on minors' online safety, and require data brokers selling minors' personal data to register with the Federal Trade Commission and pay an annual fee of at least $22,500. This bill places heavy new duties on online platforms, social media, streaming, gaming, and chatbot providers in this industry, requiring age verification, minor safety policies, parental controls, ad bans, audits, and children's privacy compliance, while granting guidance and encryption protections.
Where it stands: The House passed HR7757 on June 29, 2026 by a two-thirds suspension vote of 267 to 117, after the House Committee on Energy and Commerce had taken it up in a March 5, 2026 markup. The bill was received in the Senate and referred to the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation on July 13, 2026, and the Senate must pass identical text before anything can go to the President.

S 4749 US Senate Last action
September 16, 2026 BenefitLong shot

JAWBONE Act

Sector-wide

Ted Cruz (Republican) · Sponsor of record · Official record ↗

What it does: The bill would make it unlawful for federal agencies, officers, and employees to coerce broadcasters, social media platforms, or artificial intelligence providers into taking down, altering, or promoting content, and would let those companies, affected content providers, and state attorneys general sue in federal court for damages, attorney fees, and court orders stopping the coercion. It would also require the Office of Science and Technology Policy to set up a public, searchable portal where federal agencies must log and report their communications with these companies about content decisions, backed by new National Institute of Standards and Technology logging standards, a company complaint process, and inspector general audits every two years. This bill makes it unlawful for federal officials to pressure broadcasters, social media platforms, and AI providers over content, giving these media businesses the right to sue for damages and file complaints against such government coercion.
Where it stands: S4749 was ordered favorably reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute at the September 16, 2026 markup of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. That committee vote is itself the report-out, but no calendar placement appears in the record yet, so the bill is not on the Calendar of Business.

S 5541 US Senate Last action
September 24, 2026 BenefitLong shot

Cybersecurity and AI Board of Investigations Act of 2026

Sector-wide

Edward J. Markey (Democrat) · Sponsor of record · Official record ↗

What it does: The bill would create a new independent federal agency, the Cybersecurity and AI Board of Investigations, made up of five Senate-confirmed members, that would investigate major cyber incidents, near-misses, and systemic vulnerabilities affecting federal civilian systems and critical infrastructure, publish public reports with recommendations, and run a voluntary, anonymized near-miss reporting system with the National Institute of Standards and Technology. The Board could compel documents and testimony from private companies and individuals through subpoenas enforceable in federal court, but information voluntarily handed over would be shielded from public records laws and lawsuits, and the Board's reviews would not assign legal fault.
Where it stands: The bill was read twice and referred to the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation on September 24, 2026. It now sits at committee, the first and most common choke point in the Senate, where most bills never advance to a markup.

HR 10309 US House Last action
September 8, 2026 BenefitLong shot

HOMEFRONT Act of 2026

Sector-wide

Warren Davidson (Republican) · Sponsor of record · Official record ↗

What it does: The bill would bar US courts from recognizing or enforcing foreign judgments or orders issued under foreign censorship laws against US persons unless the underlying conduct would not have been protected by the First Amendment, would meet US due process standards for the foreign court's jurisdiction, and, for internet service providers, would be consistent with federal law protecting online platforms. It would also bar US officials from assisting foreign governments in enforcing such laws, block extradition for First Amendment-protected conduct, give targeted US persons a lawsuit to declare such judgments unenforceable with $25,000 in statutory damages and attorney's fees, require an annual Justice Department report on foreign censorship, and direct the Federal Trade Commission to build a public database of foreign censorship cases affecting protected US speech.
Where it stands: HR10309 was referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary on September 8, 2026 and has had no further dated action since. It is at the earliest committee stage, where the chair decides whether a hearing or a markup is ever noticed, though committee action is the ordinary route rather than an absolute prerequisite.

HR 10263 US House Last action
September 3, 2026 BenefitLong shot

Halt Abusive Internet Lawsuits Act of 2026

Sector-wide

Russ Fulcher (Republican) · Sponsor of record · Official record ↗

What it does: The bill would shield the collection, processing, or disclosure of information for commercial purposes, including website tools like cookies, session replay, chatbots, and analytics, from any claims or enforcement actions under federal or state wiretapping, pen register, trap and trace, and eavesdropping laws, including the California Invasion of Privacy Act. It would also wipe out any such claims or enforcement actions already in progress on the date of enactment, so those pending cases could no longer be maintained, adjudicated, or arbitrated.
Where it stands: HR10263 was referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary on September 3, 2026 and now sits at committee stage, where the chair controls whether a hearing or markup is ever noticed, though committee action is not the only possible route to the floor.

HR 9539 US House Last action
June 30, 2026 BurdenLong shot

Online Accessibility Act

Sector-wide

Mark Alford (Republican) · Sponsor of record · Official record ↗

What it does: This bill amends the Americans with Disabilities Act to require private businesses to make consumer-facing websites and mobile applications accessible by following Web Content Accessibility Guidelines 2.0 Level A and AA standards. It establishes a mandatory administrative process where individuals must first notify a business of non-compliance and file a complaint with the Department of Justice before they are permitted to sue for violations.
Where it stands: HR 9539 was referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce on June 30, 2026. The committee chair decides whether to schedule a hearing or markup, though leadership may bypass committee action via suspension of the rules or a special rule.

S 836 US Senate Last action
March 16, 2026 MixedLong shot

Children and Teens’ Online Privacy Protection Act

Sector-wide

Edward J. Markey (Democrat) · Sponsor of record · Official record ↗

What it does: This measure would extend federal online privacy protections to include teenagers aged 13 to 17 and explicitly cover mobile applications and connected devices. It would prohibit operators from using personal information from children and teens for targeted advertising and require them to obtain verifiable consent from parents or teens before collecting such data.
Where it stands: The Senate passed S. 836 with amendments on March 5, 2026, and the measure is now pending in the House where it is held at the desk.

HR 8413 US House Last action
April 21, 2026 MixedLong shot

SECURE Data Act

Sector-wide

John Joyce (Republican) · Sponsor of record · Official record ↗

What it does: This proposal would create a national consumer privacy law giving people rights to access, correct, delete, and transfer their personal data, to opt out of targeted advertising, the sale of their data, and automated profiling, and requiring consent before a company processes sensitive data or a parent consents for children under 13 and teens. It would apply only to companies that process the data of at least 100,000 or 200,000 consumers a year above revenue thresholds, require data brokers to register annually with the FTC and pay a fee for a public searchable registry, be enforced by the FTC and state attorneys general with a 45 day cure period, and preempt state privacy laws.
Where it stands: HR8413, the SECURE Data Act, was referred on April 21, 2026 to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committee on the Judiciary, for the provisions within each committee's jurisdiction. Energy and Commerce held a hearing on the bill on June 3, 2026, but the record shows no markup and nothing further scheduled.

May also reach

Measures that reach Media, Telecom & Broadcasting indirectly

Through a product these businesses make, a customer they serve, a competitor, or a study about them. Read these as possibilities, not duties.

S 5561 US Senate Last action
September 24, 2026 May reachLong shot

Protect America's Game Act

Tim Sheehy (Republican) · Sponsor of record · Official record ↗

What it does: The bill would add a new provision to the Sports Broadcasting Act of 1961 shielding college athletics conferences and their member schools from antitrust laws when they pool and sell their telecasting rights to a third party, but would strip that protection from any such agreement that allows a postseason Football Bowl Subdivision game to be broadcast during a protected window around the annual Army-Navy football game, running from one hour before kickoff until 30 minutes after the game's telecast ends. In practice, that would discourage or block broadcasters and streaming services from airing other college football bowl games head-to-head with the Army-Navy game on the second Saturday in December, since the networks and conferences behind such overlapping deals would lose their antitrust exemption. This bill gives college conferences and schools an antitrust safe harbor for pooling and selling their telecasting rights, but strips that protection from any deal letting broadcasters or streaming services air other FBS bowl games during the protected Army-Navy broadcast window.
Where it stands: S5561, the Protect America's Game Act, was read twice and referred to the Senate Committee on the Judiciary on September 24, 2026. It now sits at the committee stage, which is the first and most common choke point for Senate bills.

HR 979 US House Last action
September 16, 2026 May reachLong shot

AM Radio for Every Vehicle Act of 2025

Gus M. Bilirakis (Republican) · Sponsor of record · Official record ↗

What it does: The bill would direct the Transportation Department to write a rule, due within one year, requiring AM radio receivers as standard equipment in new passenger vehicles, with smaller manufacturers that made 40,000 or fewer vehicles in 2022 getting at least four years to comply and civil penalties for violations. Until the rule takes effect, automakers would have to label new vehicles lacking AM radios to tell buyers that fact and could not charge an extra fee for AM radio access, and the bill would also block state and local rules on vehicle AM radio access and order a government study of emergency alerting, all expiring eight years after enactment. This bill guarantees AM radio broadcasters a dashboard audience by requiring every new passenger vehicle to include a standard, easily accessible AM radio receiver, with labeling rules, civil penalties, and an emergency alerting study, while exempting nothing for smaller makers beyond a longer deadline.
Where it stands: HR979 passed the House by voice vote on a motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended, on September 15, 2026, and on September 16, 2026 it was received in the Senate, read twice, and placed on the Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders as Calendar No. 622, so it is now pending in the Senate.

HR 10285 US House Last action
September 3, 2026 May reachLong shot

Telecommunications GAP Act

Luz M. Rivas (Democrat) · Sponsor of record · Official record ↗

What it does: The bill would require the Comptroller General to give Congress a report, within 180 days of enactment, evaluating the Federal Communications Commission's Mandatory Disaster Response Initiative, including how well it worked during the January 2025 California wildfires, any failures in coverage, roaming, or provider coordination, and recommendations for the program. The bill would not change any rules itself, since the initiative it examines is the existing federal requirement that facilities-based mobile wireless providers meet certain obligations during emergencies and disasters. This bill orders a congressional study of the FCC's disaster response rules for facilities-based mobile wireless providers, so carriers in this industry could face heightened scrutiny of their emergency coverage, roaming, and coordination.
Where it stands: HR10285, the Telecommunications GAP Act, was referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce on September 3, 2026, placing it at the start of the committee stage. No hearing or markup is currently scheduled; the committee chair decides whether either is noticed, though leadership-controlled routes such as suspension, a special rule, or discharge could bypass committee.

S 5333 US Senate Last action
August 6, 2026 May reachLong shot

Advancing American Wi-Fi Against Foreign Adversaries Act

Jacky Rosen (Democrat) · Sponsor of record · Official record ↗

What it does: The bill would require the Secretary of Commerce to develop a public plan within 180 days that outlines how the United States will advance and advocate for Wi-Fi and unlicensed spectrum technologies globally, specifically targeting the World Radiocommunication Conference in 2027. The plan must include strategies to counter efforts by the Chinese Communist Party and other adversaries to undermine these technologies and promote the harmonization of the 5925 to 7125 megahertz spectrum band for Wi-Fi use. This bill directs Commerce to write a plan promoting global adoption of Wi-Fi and unlicensed spectrum technologies, which benefits wireless carriers by expanding spectrum access and countering foreign rivals ahead of the 2027 conference.
Where it stands: S5333 was read twice and referred to the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation on August 6, 2026, with no upcoming meetings scheduled. The companion measure HR9151 remains in the House Committee on Energy and Commerce and the Committee on Foreign Affairs, having also not been reported.

HR 9151 US House Last action
June 4, 2026 May reachLong shot

Advancing American Wi-Fi Against Foreign Adversaries Act

Robert E. Latta (Republican) · Sponsor of record · Official record ↗

What it does: The bill would require the Commerce Department, working through the Assistant Secretary for Communications and Information and with other agencies, to develop and publish within 180 days a plan for advancing and advocating global adoption of Wi-Fi and other unlicensed technologies, including promoting worldwide harmonization of the 5925 to 7125 megahertz spectrum band for unlicensed use at the 2027 World Radiocommunication Conference in Shanghai. It would also require the plan to include strategies for countering efforts by China and other adversarial governments to undermine unlicensed and Wi-Fi technologies, seek public comment on the plan, and require a follow-up report to Congress on implementation within 90 days after that conference ends. This bill directs the Commerce Department to create a plan promoting global adoption of Wi-Fi and unlicensed spectrum, which could expand international markets for telecom carriers and Wi-Fi equipment makers while countering Chinese competitors.
Where it stands: HR 9151 is in the referred stage: on June 4, 2026 it was referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce and, in addition, to the House Committee on Foreign Affairs, each to consider the provisions within its jurisdiction. No hearing, markup, or floor action appears in the record and no meetings are scheduled in the calendar data.

S 4438 US Senate Last action
April 29, 2026 May reachLong shot

Promoting Access to Broadband Act of 2026

Richard J. Durbin (Democrat) · Sponsor of record · Official record ↗

What it does: This bill directs the Federal Communications Commission to establish competitive grants for states to inform low-income individuals about Lifeline program eligibility and separate grants for states to connect their benefit databases to the National Lifeline Eligibility Verifier. It requires the Commission to promulgate regulations within 30 days and authorizes necessary appropriations for the first five full fiscal years following the establishment of the grant program. This bill funds state outreach and database connections that enroll more low-income consumers in the Lifeline program, increasing subsidized-broadband subscribers for participating wired and wireless telecom carriers while nonparticipating providers face tougher competition.
Where it stands: S4438 was read twice and referred to the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation on April 29, 2026. No hearings or markups are currently scheduled for the measure.

SJRES 7 US Senate Last action
May 9, 2025 May reachLong shot

A joint resolution providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Federal Communications Commission relating to "Addressing the Homework Gap Through the E-Rate Program".

Ted Cruz (Republican) · Sponsor of record · Official record ↗

What it does: This resolution would nullify a Federal Communications Commission rule that expanded the E-Rate program to support students' internet access at home. The rule would have no force or effect, preventing the implementation of these new subsidies. This bill cancels the FCC rule that expanded E-Rate home internet subsidies, so telecommunications providers would lose the revenue from those funded student connectivity services.
Where it stands: The joint resolution passed the Senate on May 8, 2025, and is pending in the House, where it was held at the desk on May 9, 2025.

HR 1709 US House Last action
July 15, 2025 May reachLong shot

Understanding Cybersecurity of Mobile Networks Act

Greg Landsman (Democrat) · Sponsor of record · Official record ↗

What it does: This measure requires the Assistant Secretary of Commerce to submit a report to Congress examining the cybersecurity vulnerabilities of mobile service networks within one year of enactment. The report must assess encryption practices, the prevalence of surveillance tools, and barriers to adopting stronger security measures while excluding 5G networks from its scope. This bill requires a government report examining how wireless mobile service providers handle cybersecurity vulnerabilities and encryption, including in mobile operating systems and communications apps, putting carriers and app publishers under congressional scrutiny without new rules.
Where it stands: H.R. 1709 passed the House on July 14, 2025, by a vote of 360 to 10 under suspension of the rules. The bill was received in the Senate and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation on July 15, 2025.

HR 8147 US House Last action
March 27, 2026 May reachLong shot

Prioritizing Rural Broadband Affordability Act

April McClain Delaney (Democrat) · Sponsor of record · Official record ↗

What it does: The bill requires the Department of Agriculture to consider broadband service affordability when determining which households and service territories are unserved for rural grant eligibility. These changes take effect one year after the bill is signed into law. This bill requires the Department of Agriculture to count affordability when deciding which rural households and service territories are unserved, changing which wired and wireless broadband providers qualify for rural grants starting one year after enactment.
Where it stands: HR 8147 was referred on March 27, 2026, to the House Committee on Agriculture and the House Committee on Energy and Commerce, with the Speaker to subsequently determine the time period for consideration. No meetings are currently scheduled for this measure.

HR 2482 US House Last action
April 29, 2025 May reachLong shot

NTIA Reauthorization Act of 2025

Robert E. Latta (Republican) · Sponsor of record · Official record ↗

What it does: This proposal would reauthorize the National Telecommunications and Information Administration, setting its funding at $57,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2025 and 2026, up from the outdated figures now in law. It would also rename the agency's head position from Assistant Secretary to Under Secretary, add a Deputy Under Secretary role, create two offices within the agency, one for spectrum management and one for international telecommunications policy, and combine several separate report requirements into a single consolidated annual report to Congress while repealing outdated reporting duties. This bill funds the NTIA, the agency that manages spectrum, with $57 million a year for 2025 and 2026, affecting wireless and wired carriers and broadcasters that depend on its spectrum and telecommunications oversight.
Where it stands: HR2482 passed the House by voice vote under suspension of the rules, as amended, on April 28, 2025, and was received in the Senate and read twice and referred to the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation on April 29, 2025. The House has finished its work, so the bill now sits in the Senate, which must pass identical text before anything can go to the President.

HR 6505 US House Last action
January 15, 2026 May reachLong shot

Next Generation 9–1–1 Act

Richard Hudson (Republican) · Sponsor of record · Official record ↗

What it does: The bill establishes a federal grant program administered by the National Telecommunications and Information Administration to help states and tribes implement and maintain Next Generation 9-1-1 systems. It also creates a cybersecurity center and an advisory board to coordinate these efforts and sets specific certification requirements for grant recipients regarding funding usage and interoperability standards. This bill gives telecom carriers a chance to win contracts helping states and tribes build Next Generation 9-1-1 systems, since grant-funded deployments must use open, competitive bidding for the work.
Where it stands: The bill was forwarded by subcommittee vote to the full House Committee on Energy and Commerce on January 15, 2026, following a hearing on December 16, 2025. The full committee has not yet scheduled a markup or vote to report the measure.

HR 1519 US House Last action
January 15, 2026 May reachLong shot

Public Safety Communications Act

Kat Cammack (Republican) · Sponsor of record · Official record ↗

What it does: This bill would create a new office within the National Telecommunications and Information Administration to oversee public safety communications, manage the First Responder Network Authority, and administer Next Generation 9-1-1 grants. The new office would also be responsible for auditing the First Responder Network Authority annually and advising on related policy matters. This bill creates an NTIA office that administers Next Generation 9-1-1 grants and oversees FirstNet's wireless broadband network, bringing federal funding and infrastructure activity to wired and wireless telecommunications carriers.
Where it stands: The bill was forwarded by voice vote from the Subcommittee on Communications and Technology to the full House Committee on Energy and Commerce on January 15, 2026. This position means the measure is now under the control of the full committee chair, who decides whether to schedule a markup.

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