Broadcasting, cable, digital technologies

HR 4779: National Security, Department of State, and Related Programs Appropriations Act, 2026

National Security, Department of State, and Related Programs Appropriations Act, 2026

This bill provides FY2026 appropriations for national security, the Department of State, and related programs.

The bill provides appropriations to the State Department for

  • Administration of Foreign Affairs,
  • International Organizations, and
  • International Commissions.

The bill provides appropriations for related programs, including

  • International Broadcasting Operations and Capital Improvements,
  • the Asia Foundation,
  • the U.S. Institute of Peace,
  • the Center for Middle Eastern-Western Dialogue Trust Fund,
  • the Eisenhower Exchange Fellowship Program,
  • the Israeli Arab Scholarship Program,
  • the East-West Center, and
  • the National Endowment for Democracy.

The bill provides appropriations for other commissions, including

  • the Commission for the Preservation of America’s Heritage Abroad,
  • the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom,
  • the Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe,
  • the Congressional-Executive Commission on the People’s Republic of China, and 
  • the U.S.-China Economic and Security Review Commission.

The bill provides appropriations to

  • the House Democracy Partnership,
  • the President for Administration of Assistance,
  • the State Department and the President for International Security Assistance, and
  • International Financial Institutions for Multilateral Assistance.

The bill provides appropriations for bilateral economic assistance, including programs and activities conducted by

  • the President;
  • Independent Agencies, including the Peace Corps, the Millennium Challenge Corporation, the Inter-American Foundation, and the U.S. African Development Foundation; and
  • the Department of the Treasury.

The bill provides appropriations for export and investment assistance to

  • the Export-Import Bank of the United States,
  • the U.S. International Development Finance Corporation, and
  • the U.S. Trade and Development Agency.

The bill sets forth requirements and restrictions for using funds provided by this and other appropriations acts.

Sponsors

Mario Diaz-Balart (R) FL

Cosponsors

None

Introduced on
Friday, July 25th, 2025

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S 2067: Rescissions Act of 2025

Rescissions Act of 2025

This bill rescinds specified unobligated funds that were provided to the Department of State, the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), various independent and related agencies, and the Corporation for Public Broadcasting. 

The rescissions were proposed by the President under procedures included in the Congressional Budget and Impoundment Control Act of 1974. Under current law, the President may propose rescissions to Congress using specified procedures, and the rescissions must be enacted into law to take effect. 

Specifically, the bill rescinds funds that were provided to the State Department or the President for

  • Contributions to International Organizations;
  • Contributions for International Peacekeeping Activities;
  • Global Health Programs;
  • Migration and Refugee Assistance;
  • the Complex Crises Fund;
  • the Democracy Fund;
  • the Economic Support Fund;
  • Contributions to the Clean Technology Fund;
  • International Organization and Programs;
  • Development Assistance;
  • Assistance for Europe, Eurasia, and Central Asia;
  • International Disaster Assistance; and
  • Transition Initiatives.

The bill also rescinds funds that were provided for 

  • USAID Operating Expenses,
  • the Inter-American Foundation,
  • the U.S. African Development Foundation,
  • the U.S. Institute of Peace, and
  • the Corporation for Public Broadcasting.
Sponsors

Eric Schmitt (R) MO

Cosponsors

Rand Paul (R) KY, Marsha Blackburn (R) TN, Cynthia Lummis (R) WY

Introduced on
Thursday, June 12th, 2025

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HR 4: Rescissions Act of 2025

Rescissions Act of 2025

This bill rescinds $9.4 billion in unobligated funds that were provided to the Department of State, the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), various independent and related agencies, and the Corporation for Public Broadcasting. 

The rescissions were proposed by the President under procedures included in the Congressional Budget and Impoundment Control Act of 1974. Under current law, the President may propose rescissions to Congress using specified procedures, and the rescissions must be enacted into law to take effect. 

Specifically, the bill rescinds funds that were provided to the State Department or the President for

  • Contributions to International Organizations;
  • Contributions for International Peacekeeping Activities;
  • Global Health Programs;
  • Migration and Refugee Assistance;
  • the Complex Crises Fund;
  • the Democracy Fund;
  • the Economic Support Fund;
  • Contributions to the Clean Technology Fund;
  • International Organization and Programs;
  • Development Assistance;
  • Assistance for Europe, Eurasia, and Central Asia;
  • International Disaster Assistance; and
  • Transition Initiatives.

The bill also rescinds funds that were provided for 

  • USAID Operating Expenses,
  • the Inter-American Foundation,
  • the U.S. African Development Foundation,
  • the U.S. Institute of Peace, and
  • the Corporation for Public Broadcasting.
Sponsors

Steve Scalise (R) LA

Cosponsors

Tom Cole (R) OK, Aaron Bean (R) FL, Pete Sessions (R) TX, Marjorie Greene (R) GA, Blake Moore (R) UT

Introduced on
Friday, June 6th, 2025

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SRES 160: A resolution supporting the goals and ideals of National Safe Digging Month.

This resolution expresses support for National Safe Digging Month and encourages all homeowners and excavators to call 811 to find the location of underground utility lines before digging.

Sponsors

Todd Young (R) IN

Cosponsors

Gary Peters (D) MI, Ted Cruz (R) TX, Maria Cantwell (D) WA

Introduced on
Monday, April 7th, 2025

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HR 2503: Undersea Cable Control Act

Undersea Cable Control Act

This bill requires the President and the Department of Commerce to take certain actions to prevent foreign adversaries from acquiring items needed to support the construction, maintenance, or operation of undersea cable projects. For the purposes of this bill, a foreign adversary is any foreign government or nongovernment person (entity or individual) engaged in certain conduct that significantly and adversely affects U.S. national security.

Within one year of the bill’s enactment, the President must seek to enter into agreements with allies and partners to prevent such items from being available to foreign adversaries.

Furthermore, Commerce must determine the appropriate level of export and transfer controls for such items under the Export Administration Regulations.

The bill also requires Commerce to develop a strategy to prevent such items from being available to foreign adversaries. The President must report annually to Congress on this strategy.

Sponsors

Thomas Kean (R) NJ

Cosponsors

Michael Lawler (R) NY, Brad Sherman (D) CA

Introduced on
Monday, March 31st, 2025

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HR 2449: FUTURE Networks Act

Future Uses of Technology Upholding Reliable and Enhanced Networks Act or the FUTURE Networks Act

This bill requires the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to establish a 6G Task Force to report on industry-led efforts to set standards for sixth-generation wireless technology and the possible uses and limitations of such technology, among other topics. The task force must publish and solicit public comment on a draft of the report, and must take such comments into consideration in preparing the final report.  

Members of the task force must include, to the extent practicable, representatives of companies in the communications industry; public interest organizations or academic institutions; and federal, state, tribal, and local governments (with at least one member representing each level of government). Members are to be selected by the chair of the FCC, and generally may not include representatives of entities owned or controlled by, or subject to the influence of, a foreign adversary, or otherwise deemed to pose a threat to U.S. national security.

Sponsors

Doris Matsui (D) CA

Cosponsors

Rick Allen (R) GA, Tim Walberg (R) MI

Introduced on
Thursday, March 27th, 2025

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HR 2458: Secure Space Act of 2025

Secure Space Act of 2025

This bill prohibits the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) from granting satellite licenses or earth station authorizations, including U.S. market access for foreign-licensed satellites, to specified foreign entities of concern and their affiliates. (Earth stations, also commonly known as ground stations, are earth-based radio stations that communicate with satellites. A grant of U.S. market access permits one or more foreign-licensed satellites to communicate with one or more U.S.-licensed earth stations.)

Specifically, the FCC may not grant a satellite license, an earth station authorization, or market access to any entity, or an affiliate thereof, that produces or provides communications equipment or services deemed to pose an unacceptable risk to the national security of the United States. (The FCC maintains a list of such equipment and services, known as the Covered List. Providers of such equipment and services include, for example, Huawei Technologies Company and ZTE Corporation.) 

Sponsors

Frank Pallone (D) NJ

Cosponsors

Brett Guthrie (R) KY

Introduced on
Thursday, March 27th, 2025

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HR 1664: Deploying American Blockchains Act of 2025

Deploying American Blockchains Act of 2025

This bill requires the Department of Commerce to support the leadership of the United States in the use of blockchain technology and other distributed ledger technology, tokens, and tokenization. Generally, blockchain technology is a distributed digital ledger that uses cryptography to share verified information across a network of computers. Tokens refer to the transferrable, digital representation of information recorded on blockchain technology and tokenization is the process of creating a token.

Specifically, Commerce must advise the President on policies related to the deployment and use of blockchain technology and other distributed ledger technology, applications built on blockchain technology or other distributed ledger technology, tokens, and tokenization. Commerce also must establish advisory committees to support the adoption of blockchain technology to facilitate the development of best practices with respect to blockchain technology, applications built on blockchain technology, tokens, and tokenization.

Commerce must report annually on the activities under this bill and provide any recommendations for additional legislation to strengthen U.S. competitiveness with respect to blockchain technology.

Sponsors

Kat Cammack (R) FL

Cosponsors

Darren Soto (D) FL

Introduced on
Thursday, February 27th, 2025

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HR 1737: To direct the Secretary of Commerce to submit to Congress a report containing an assessment of the value, cost, and feasibility of a trans-Atlantic submarine fiber optic cable connecting the contiguous United States, the United States Virgin Islands, Ghana, and Nigeria.

This bill requires the National Telecommunications and Information Administration to submit a report to Congress that assesses the feasibility, value, cost, and security implications of a submarine fiber optic cable to connect the contiguous United States, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Ghana, and Nigeria. The report must include, among other topics, an assessment of the potential establishment of a data center and high-security cloud services facility in the U.S. Virgin Islands for certain national security communications.

Sponsors

Stacey Plaskett (D) VI

Cosponsors

Russ Fulcher (R) ID

Introduced on
Thursday, February 27th, 2025

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HR 1717: Communications Security Act

Communications Security Act

This bill provides statutory authority for a council established by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to provide advice regarding the security, reliability, and interoperability of communications networks. (This advice is currently provided by the FCC’s Communications Security, Reliability, and Interoperability Council.)

The bill specifies that the FCC may designate an existing advisory committee to fulfill this role, provided the committee’s membership is modified, as necessary, to comply with membership requirements set forth in the bill. 

Specifically, the bill requires the council to include, to the extent practicable, representatives of companies in the communications industry; public interest organizations or academic institutions; and federal, state, tribal, and local governments (with at least one member representing each level of government). Members are to be selected by the FCC’s chair and generally may not include representatives of entities owned or controlled by, or subject to the influence of, a foreign adversary, or otherwise deemed to pose a threat to U.S. national security. 

Under current law, federal advisory committees must generally terminate after two years unless they are renewed or a statute specifies a different termination date. However, the bill exempts the council from this requirement.

Sponsors

Robert Menendez (D) NJ

Cosponsors

John Joyce (R) PA

Introduced on
Thursday, February 27th, 2025

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HR 1117: Responsibility in Drug Advertising Act of 2025

Responsibility in Drug Advertising Act of 2025

This bill prohibits direct-to-consumer advertising of new drugs during the first three years following their approval by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Direct-to-consumer advertising includes advertising via social media. 

Upon request from a drug’s sponsor, the FDA may waive the prohibition during the third year following a drug’s approval if it determines that the direct-to-consumer advertising of the drug would have an affirmative value to public health. Conversely, the FDA may prohibit such advertising beyond the three-year period following approval if it determines that the drug has significant adverse health effects based on post-approval studies, adverse event reports, and other appropriate resources. 

The prohibition applies to new drugs approved beginning one year before the bill’s enactment.

Sponsors

Rosa DeLauro (D) CT

Cosponsors

None

Introduced on
Friday, February 7th, 2025

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S 483: Responsibility in Drug Advertising Act of 2025

Responsibility in Drug Advertising Act of 2025

This bill prohibits direct-to-consumer advertising of new drugs during the first three years following their approval by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Direct-to-consumer advertising includes advertising via social media. 

Upon request from a drug’s sponsor, the FDA may waive the prohibition during the third year following a drug’s approval if it determines that the direct-to-consumer advertising of the drug would have an affirmative value to public health. Conversely, the FDA may prohibit such advertising beyond the three-year period following approval if it determines that the drug has significant adverse health effects based on post-approval studies, adverse event reports, and other appropriate resources. 

The prohibition applies to new drugs approved beginning one year before the bill’s enactment.

Sponsors

Angus King (I) ME

Cosponsors

Timothy Kaine (D) VA, Peter Welch (D) VT

Introduced on
Thursday, February 6th, 2025

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HR 979: AM Radio for Every Vehicle Act of 2025

AM Radio for Every Vehicle Act of 2025

This bill requires the Department of Transportation (DOT) to issue a rule requiring AM radio capabilities to be standard in all new passenger vehicles. (AM radio is often used to deliver emergency alerts and news and entertainment programming; some newer vehicles do not include AM equipment.)

Specifically, this bill applies to passenger vehicles (1) manufactured in the United States for sale in the United States, imported into the United States, or shipped in interstate commerce; and (2) manufactured after the rule’s effective date. The rule must require all such vehicles to have devices that can receive signals and play content transmitted by AM stations or digital audio AM stations installed as standard equipment and made easily accessible to drivers.

Prior to the rule’s effective date, manufacturers that do not include devices that can access AM radio as standard equipment (1) must inform purchasers of this fact through clear and conspicuous labeling, and (2) may not charge an additional or separate fee for AM radio access.

DOT may assess civil penalties for any violation of the rule. The Department of Justice may also bring a civil action to enjoin a violation.

The rule, including DOT’s authority to enforce it, must expire 10 years after the bill’s enactment. 

Further, the Government Accountability Office must study and report on the dissemination of emergency alerts to the public, including by conducting an assessment of AM radio relative to other Integrated Public Alert and Warning System communication technologies.

 

Sponsors

Gus Bilirakis (R) FL

Cosponsors

Frank Pallone (D) NJ

Introduced on
Wednesday, February 5th, 2025

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S 315: AM Radio for Every Vehicle Act of 2025

AM Radio for Every Vehicle Act of 2025

This bill requires the Department of Transportation (DOT) to issue a rule requiring AM radio capabilities to be standard in all new passenger vehicles. (AM radio is often used to deliver emergency alerts and news and entertainment programming; some newer vehicles do not include AM equipment.)

Specifically, this bill applies to passenger vehicles (1) manufactured in the United States for sale in the United States, imported into the United States, or shipped in interstate commerce; and (2) manufactured after the rule’s effective date. The rule must require all such vehicles to have devices that can receive signals and play content transmitted by AM stations or digital audio AM stations installed as standard equipment and made easily accessible to drivers.

Prior to the rule’s effective date, manufacturers that do not include devices that can access AM radio as standard equipment (1) must inform purchasers of this fact through clear and conspicuous labeling, and (2) may not charge an additional or separate fee for AM radio access.

DOT may assess civil penalties for any violation of the rule. The Department of Justice may also bring a civil action to enjoin a violation.

DOT’s authority to issue the rule expires 10 years after the bill’s enactment. 

Further, the Government Accountability Office must study and report on the dissemination of emergency alerts to the public, including by conducting an assessment of AM broadcast stations relative to other Integrated Public Alert and Warning System communication technologies.

 

Sponsors

Edward Markey (D) MA

Cosponsors

Ted Cruz (R) TX, Tammy Baldwin (D) WI, Jim Banks (R) IN, John Barrasso (R) WY, Marsha Blackburn (R) TN, Richard Blumenthal (D) CT, Katie Britt (R) AL, Ted Budd (R) NC, Maria Cantwell (D) WA, Shelley Capito (R) WV, Christopher Coons (D) DE, Tom Cotton (R) AR, Kevin Cramer (R) ND, Steve Daines (R) MT, Joni Ernst (R) IA, Deb Fischer (R) NE, Chuck Grassley (R) IA, Maggie Hassan (D) NH, Josh Hawley (R) MO, Mazie Hirono (D) HI

Introduced on
Wednesday, January 29th, 2025

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