Technology

in committee · United States · House Sep 2, 2026

HR 10238: Cybersecurity for Small Businesses Act of 2026

The Cybersecurity for Small Businesses Act of 2026 directs the Small Business Administration, in partnership with federal cybersecurity agencies, to create and distribute resources that help small businesses improve their digital security practices. The bill specifically requires the administration to provide guidance on federal cybersecurity compliance standards to small companies seeking government contracts or subcontracting opportunities. This information must be made available through small business development centers, district offices, and the agency's website. Additionally, the Office of Advocacy is required to submit an annual report to Congress detailing how many small businesses have contacted them regarding cybersecurity issues.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyThe bill explicitly directs federal agencies to provide cybersecurity resources and compliance guidance to small businesses, directly enhancing digital security capabilities.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Consumer Data Protection Cybersecurity Tags Small Business

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in committee · United States · Senate Jul 15, 2026

S 5003: ACCESS Rural America Act

The ACCESS Rural America Act exempts small rural telephone companies from specific federal registration requirements for selling securities. To qualify for this exemption, the companies must provide broadband internet access and submit a financial summary to investors that includes subscriber data and key financial statements. The bill applies only to issuers with fewer than 100,000 broadband subscribers and securities held by more than 500 non-accredited investors but fewer than 2,000 total holders. This change aims to simplify the process for these rural providers to raise capital by reducing regulatory burdens.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill expands broadband internet access in rural areas and mandates financial transparency for providers, promoting digital equity and infrastructure growth.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Broadband Access Telecommunications Tags Rural Communities

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in committee · United States · House Jul 22, 2026

HR 9862: Responsible Artificial Intelligence for Veterans Act of 2026

The Responsible Artificial Intelligence for Veterans Act of 2026 requires the Department of Veterans Affairs to hire an independent research center to evaluate artificial intelligence tools currently used or being developed for patient care within the Veterans Health Administration. This evaluation will focus on five specific high-risk systems to assess their safety, accuracy, fairness, and how well they integrate with existing medical workflows. The law mandates that the findings be reported to Congress within a year, followed by a detailed plan from the VA to address any identified risks or gaps in oversight. Additionally, a government auditor will review both the evaluation and the VA's response plan to ensure accountability, all without requesting new funding for the initiative.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill mandates safety and accuracy evaluations of AI tools in patient care, protecting patient rights and improving healthcare system reliability.85% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill mandates evaluation of AI tools to ensure safety, accuracy, and fairness, protecting veterans from harmful technology.85% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransBill mandates evaluation of AI tools to ensure safety and accuracy in veteran healthcare, directly protecting and strengthening VA services.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Artificial Intelligence Veteran Benefits Veteran Education Veteran Healthcare

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in committee · United States · House Jul 16, 2026

HR 9736: Stop CHEATERS Act

The Stop CHEATERS Act directs the Internal Revenue Service to increase its enforcement efforts against high-income individuals and large corporations by allocating billions of dollars in additional funding for tax audits, criminal investigations, and taxpayer services through fiscal year 2031. A significant portion of this funding is designated for modernizing the IRS's technology and business systems to improve its ability to detect fraud and noncompliance. The legislation also requires the IRS Commissioner to submit regular reports to Congress detailing plans to shift auditing resources toward wealthy taxpayers and analyzing how much unpaid tax is owed by different income groups.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill allocates billions for IRS enforcement and modernization to combat tax fraud and noncompliance, strengthening fiscal management.90% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill allocates funding to modernize IRS technology and systems to improve fraud detection capabilities.75% confidence

Sub-Topics Appropriations Audits & Accountability

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passed · United States · Senate Jun 18, 2026

S 4822: Saving the OOI Act of 2026

The Saving the OOI Act of 2026 directs the National Science Foundation to stop using federal money to shut down or reduce the scope of the Ocean Observatories Initiative instruments located off Oregon, Washington, Alaska, North Carolina, and in the Irminger Sea. Instead, the bill requires the NSF to keep these ocean monitoring systems fully operational until a comprehensive review of the initiative is conducted with input from scientists and coastal communities. This legislation ensures that the existing network continues to function without interruption while the evaluation process takes place.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill prevents defunding of ocean monitoring systems, which are critical for environmental data collection and conservation efforts.85% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill protects critical ocean monitoring technology infrastructure by preventing defunding and mandating continued operation.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Coastal & Flood Protection

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in committee · United States · Senate Jun 18, 2026

S 4831: Stop Spying Bosses Act

The Stop Spying Bosses Act establishes new federal rules to limit how employers collect, use, and share employee data, primarily affecting businesses with at least 11 workers and their employees. It prohibits employers from gathering sensitive information such as biometric scans, off-duty activities, or political views unless the data is strictly necessary for specific job functions like ensuring safety or administering benefits. The law requires employers to clearly disclose what data they collect and how it influences decisions about hiring, firing, or promotions, while also granting workers the right to access and correct their own records. To enforce these standards, the bill creates a new Worker Protection and Technology Division within the Department of Labor, which will investigate violations and provide whistleblower protections against retaliation. Additionally, the legislation invalidates pre-dispute arbitration agreements that would stop workers from joining class-action lawsuits regarding privacy violations.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill protects worker privacy by restricting employer data collection, strengthening employee rights and workplace protections.90% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill protects employee data privacy by restricting employer surveillance and limiting data collection to job necessities.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Workplace Safety

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in committee · United States · House Jun 23, 2026

HR 9402: Stop Spying Bosses Act

The Stop Spying Bosses Act establishes new federal rules to limit how employers collect, use, and share data about their employees and job applicants. This legislation directly affects private businesses with 11 or more workers, government agencies, and their employees by prohibiting the gathering of sensitive information such as biometric data, political views, or off-duty activities without a specific, disclosed business need. Key provisions require employers to clearly inform workers about what data is being collected and how it is used, grant employees the right to access and correct their personal records, and ban the sale of employee data to third parties. The bill also creates a new Worker Protection and Technology Division within the Department of Labor to oversee compliance and provides legal protections for workers who report violations, including the right to sue for damages and prohibiting forced arbitration for such disputes.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill limits employer data collection on sensitive employee information, protecting worker privacy and rights.95% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill protects employee data privacy by restricting employer surveillance and banning collection of sensitive information without business need.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Labor Standards Workplace Safety Consumer Data Protection Data Privacy

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in committee · United States · House Jun 29, 2026

HR 9515: MFA Act

The Marketplace Fraud Accountability Act requires the healthcare.gov website to use multi-factor authentication for users enrolling in health plans or accessing their personal enrollment data. This security measure, which involves verifying identity through at least two methods like passwords and biometrics, must be implemented within one year of the bill's enactment. The law includes an exception for individuals who lack access to broadband or cellular service or cannot otherwise use this technology. By strengthening identity verification, the bill aims to protect consumer information while maintaining access for those with connectivity limitations.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill strengthens healthcare by improving data security and protecting patient enrollment information via multi-factor authentication.90% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill mandates multi-factor authentication to enhance cybersecurity and protect user data privacy on healthcare.gov.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Broadband Access Consumer Data Protection

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in committee · United States · House Jun 18, 2026

HRES 1374: Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives that parents should be provided clear, accurate, and useful information about the content of video programming so they can make informed decisions for their children.

This resolution expresses the House's sense that parents need clear and accurate information about video content to make informed decisions for their children. It calls on the Federal Communications Commission to modernize the existing ratings system to cover all video platforms, including streaming services, and to ensure content descriptions are neutral and specific. The bill also urges the creation of an oversight body that includes parents and child advocates alongside industry representatives to increase transparency in how ratings are assigned. Ultimately, it seeks to improve parental guidance tools and public awareness without mandating specific changes to current laws.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill aims to enhance consumer protection and digital rights by modernizing content ratings for streaming services, ensuring parents have accurate information to make informed decisions.75% confidence

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in committee · United States · House Jun 4, 2026

HR 9142: Prohibiting Adversarial Patents Act of 2026

This bill prohibits the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office from issuing or enforcing patents for inventions created by individuals or companies identified as threats to national security. Specifically, it bars patents for entities listed on the Chinese Military-Industrial Complex Companies List, designated Chinese military companies, or those providing equipment on the FCC's untrusted networks list. While the law prevents these entities from receiving or enforcing patents, it does not stop them from submitting patent applications, and it includes a provision allowing the President to grant temporary waivers if national security interests do not require the prohibition.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill strengthens national security by restricting patents for adversarial entities, aligning with cybersecurity and digital rights protection goals.85% confidence

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