Technology

passed · United States · House Jul 15, 2025

HR 1770: Consumer Safety Technology Act

HR 1770, the Consumer Safety Technology Act, requires federal agencies to study and pilot new technologies to improve consumer safety. Title I mandates the Consumer Product Safety Commission to run a one-year AI pilot program to track product injuries, identify hazards, monitor recalls, and check imports, then report findings to Congress. Title II directs the Commerce Secretary to study how blockchain technology can prevent fraud in consumer transactions, including public input and a 6-month report to Congress. Title III requires the Federal Trade Commission to report on its enforcement actions against deceptive practices involving digital tokens and recommend improvements to protect consumers. The bill affects the Consumer Product Safety Commission, Commerce Department, and FTC, focusing on research and reporting rather than immediate regulatory changes.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyMandates AI and blockchain pilots for consumer safety and fraud prevention, enhancing cybersecurity and consumer protection through technology adoption.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Technology

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passed · United States · House Jul 15, 2025

HR 1709: Understanding Cybersecurity of Mobile Networks Act

HR 1709, the "Understanding Cybersecurity of Mobile Networks Act," requires the Assistant Secretary of Commerce to produce a report within one year of enactment examining cybersecurity vulnerabilities in mobile service networks and devices. The report must assess how mobile providers address security risks, customer awareness of cybersecurity when purchasing services, encryption practices, barriers to adopting stronger security measures, and the prevalence of surveillance technologies like cell site simulators. It specifically excludes 5G networks and focuses on real-world vulnerabilities affecting U.S. mobile networks and devices used by consumers, businesses, and government agencies. The study aims to inform future policy by gathering data from providers, industry experts, and government agencies, without mandating immediate changes to security standards.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill mandates report on mobile network cybersecurity vulnerabilities and encryption practices to enhance security measures, aligning with cybersecurity enhancement indicators.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Technology

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passed · United States · House May 21, 2025

HR 1223: ANCHOR Act

The ANCHOR Act requires the National Science Foundation to develop a plan within 18 months to improve cybersecurity and telecommunications for the U.S. Academic Research Fleet - comprising university- and lab-operated oceanographic research vessels. The plan must assess each vessel's specific needs for internet speed, data transfer, telemedicine, and remote expert access during missions, alongside cost estimates for upgrades like satellite equipment and staff training. It also mandates evaluating shared solutions to reduce costs and outlining funding strategies involving NSF, Navy research offices, and vessel operators. The bill directly affects research vessels conducting ocean science, aiming to modernize their digital infrastructure without altering scientific methods.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyMandates NSF plan to enhance cybersecurity and telecom infrastructure for research vessels, directly strengthening tech capabilities and data transfer needs.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Technology

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signed · United States · Senate May 19, 2025

S 146: TAKE IT DOWN Act

The TAKE IT DOWN Act requires major social media platforms and websites hosting user-generated content to establish a 48-hour removal process for nonconsensual intimate visual depictions (including deepfakes) upon verified request. It defines "nonconsensual intimate visual depictions" as images or videos of identifiable people shared without consent, with criminal penalties for sharing such content with intent to cause harm. The law exempts law enforcement activities, medical purposes, and content shared for legitimate educational reasons. Platforms must remove these materials quickly but are protected from liability if they act in good faith. This law directly affects social media companies and individuals whose intimate images are shared without consent.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyRequires social media platforms to remove nonconsensual intimate content within 48 hours, strengthening data privacy protections and regulating tech companies for consumer safety.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Technology

signed · United States · Senate May 9, 2025

SJRES 28: A joint resolution disapproving the rule submitted by the Bureau of Consumer Financial Protection relating to "Defining Larger Participants of a Market for General-Use Digital Consumer Payment Applications".

This bill (SJRES 28) is a congressional resolution that blocks a rule proposed by the Bureau of Consumer Financial Protection (CFPB). The rule aimed to define which digital payment companies (like Apple Pay or Google Pay) would be classified as "larger participants" in the market, subject to stricter regulations. By disapproving this rule, Congress ensures it has no legal effect, meaning the CFPB cannot enforce these specific oversight requirements on major digital payment platforms. This directly affects the CFPB’s regulatory authority and digital payment companies that would have been subject to the rule.

Topics ✗ TechnologyOpposes TechnologyBlocks CFPB rule imposing stricter regulations on major digital payment platforms like Apple Pay/Google Pay, weakening oversight of tech companies.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✓ Supports Technology

passed · United States · House May 8, 2025

HR 881: DHS Restrictions on Confucius Institutes and Chinese Entities of Concern Act

HR 881, the DHS Restrictions on Confucius Institutes and Chinese Entities of Concern Act, restricts Department of Homeland Security (DHS) funding for colleges and universities that maintain relationships with China-funded Confucius Institutes or specific Chinese entities deemed "of concern." It prohibits DHS funding for institutions with ties to Confucius Institutes, the Thousand Talents Program, or Chinese universities involved in military-civil fusion, defense work, Uyghur persecution, election interference, or other activities listed in the bill. Institutions must terminate such relationships within one year of enactment to regain eligibility for DHS funds. The bill requires the DHS Secretary to report to Congress on any institutions violating this funding restriction. (3 sentences)

Topics ✗ EducationOpposes EducationBill restricts DHS funding for institutions with Confucius Institute ties, limiting educational access and resources for affected colleges and universities85% confidence ✗ TechnologyOpposes TechnologyBill restricts DHS funding for institutions with ties to Chinese tech entities, limiting access to educational technology resources and potentially reducing cybersecurity collaboration with international partners.75% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✓ Supports Technology

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passed · United States · House Apr 30, 2025

HR 859: Informing Consumers about Smart Devices Act

HR 859 requires manufacturers to clearly state before purchase whether internet-connected consumer devices (like smart speakers or home monitors) contain a camera or microphone. It directly affects device manufacturers, excluding phones, laptops, and dedicated cameras (which consumers reasonably expect to have such features). The Federal Trade Commission enforces this as an unfair/deceptive practice under existing law, with guidance issued within 180 days of enactment. The law applies only to devices made after the FTC issues its guidance, not older models.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyRequires clear disclosure of camera/mic features in smart devices, enhancing consumer data privacy awareness per FTC enforcement under existing law.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Technology

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passed · United States · House Apr 29, 2025

HR 973: Setting Consumer Standards for Lithium-Ion Batteries Act

This bill requires the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) to adopt specific existing safety standards for lithium-ion batteries used in e-bikes, scooters, and other personal micromobility devices within 180 days of enactment. It mandates that these standards apply only to consumer products as defined by federal law, directly affecting manufacturers of such devices. The bill also establishes a process for the CPSC to review future revisions to these voluntary standards and requires a report to Congress within five years detailing battery-related fire or explosion incidents involving these products. The law aims to standardize safety requirements without creating new rules, relying instead on established industry guidelines.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill establishes safety standards for lithium-ion batteries in personal micromobility devices, enhancing consumer protection and product safety in the technology sector.75% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationRequires safety standards for lithium-ion batteries in micromobility devices (e-bikes/scooters), enhancing transportation safety standards for emerging transportation infrastructure.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Technology

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signed · United States · House Apr 10, 2025

HJRES 25: Providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Internal Revenue Service relating to "Gross Proceeds Reporting by Brokers That Regularly Provide Services Effectuating Digital Asset Sales".

This joint resolution nullifies requirements for persons effectuating decentralized financial (DeFi) transactions to report certain information regarding digital asset sales to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). Specifically, the joint resolution nullifies the requirements included in the rule titled Gross Proceeds Reporting by Brokers That Regularly Provide Services Effectuating Digital Asset Sales and issued by the IRS on December 30, 2024. Decentralized finance refers to the suite of financial activities and services that are facilitated by cryptocurrency and intended to be conducted without any sort of reliance on traditional financial tools or intermediaries.

Topics ✗ Budget & TaxesOpposes Budget & TaxesBill nullifies IRS rule requiring digital asset transaction reporting, weakening tax enforcement and reducing potential tax revenue collection.95% confidence ✗ TechnologyOpposes TechnologyBill nullifies IRS rule requiring DeFi brokers to report digital asset sales data, reducing regulatory oversight on digital asset transactions.92% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✓ Supports Technology

passed · United States · House Apr 8, 2025

HRES 294: Providing for consideration of the joint resolution (S.J. Res. 18) disapproving the rule submitted by the Bureau of Consumer Financial Protection relating to "Overdraft Lending: Very Large Financial Institutions"; providing for consideration of the joint resolution (S.J. Res. 28) disapproving the rule submitted by the Bureau of Consumer Financial Protection relating to "Defining Larger Participants of a Market for General-Use Digital Consumer Payment Applications"; providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 1526) to amend title 28, United States Code, to limit the authority of district courts to provide injunctive relief, and for other purposes; providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 22) to amend the National Voter Registration Act of 1993 to require proof of United States citizenship to register an individual to vote in elections for Federal office, and for other purposes; and for other purposes.

HRES 294 is a procedural resolution that sets rules for the House to debate and vote on four specific legislative items. It enables consideration of two disapproval resolutions targeting Consumer Financial Protection Bureau rules (one on overdraft fees for large banks, another on digital payment app regulations), a bill limiting court injunctions (H.R. 1526), and a voting rights bill requiring citizenship proof for federal elections (H.R. 22). The resolution waives objections to these items and specifies debate time and amendment procedures. It does not change policy itself but streamlines the process for the House to act on these proposals. This is a procedural step, not a substantive policy change.

Topics ✗ TechnologyOpposes TechnologyDisapproves CFPB rule defining regulations for digital payment apps, weakening tech sector oversight and consumer protections.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✓ Supports Technology

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