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.
This resolution expresses the Senate's opposition to foreign entities, specifically referencing the European Union's Digital Services Act (DSA), attempting to censor or penalize constitutionally protected speech by U.S. persons. It directly affects U.S. citizens' free speech rights and U.S. technology companies (like X) operating in the U.S., which face EU fines under the DSA for content moderation practices. Key provisions state the Senate disapproves of foreign attempts to force U.S. entities to adopt censorship measures or levy penalties for speech protected under the First Amendment. The resolution condemns the EU's enforcement actions, including a $140 million fine against X, as conflicting with U.S. constitutional principles. It is a non-binding statement of opposition, not a new law.
HR 2508, the ENCRYPT Act of 2025, prevents states from requiring technology companies to build backdoors into their products or services that would allow surveillance or decryption of user data. It specifically blocks states from mandating that companies alter security functions to enable government access to encrypted communications (like messages or files) or from banning encrypted products like smartphones or apps. The law applies to most internet-connected devices and services sold to the public that operate across state lines, directly affecting tech companies and state governments. This creates a uniform national standard, overriding any conflicting state laws about encryption.
This symbolic resolution expresses the U.S. House of Representatives' support for Iranian protesters demanding democracy and human rights. It condemns the Iranian regime's violent suppression of demonstrations, calls for the release of political prisoners, and urges expanded internet access for Iranian citizens. The resolution specifically demands an end to regime violence, recognizes the Iranian people's right to free elections, and asks the U.S. government to coordinate with allies on deterring further brutality. As a non-binding resolution, it does not create new laws but formally states congressional support for the protesters' cause.
HR 4828 expands federal privacy law by adding biometric information, license plate numbers, workplace addresses, school addresses, and GPS coordinates to the list of "restricted personal information" under Title 18, U.S. Code. This directly affects businesses and organizations that collect personal data, requiring them to apply the same strict privacy safeguards to these newly protected data types. The bill modifies an existing legal definition rather than creating new requirements or enforcement mechanisms. It applies to any entity subject to current privacy regulations for restricted data. The key change clarifies which specific information categories receive enhanced protection under federal law.
HR 3125, the Rural Broadband Assistance Act, creates a new USDA grant program to help rural communities access broadband internet. It provides funding for private, nonprofit, or public organizations to offer technical assistance and training directly to eligible entities like tribes, state/local governments, schools, nonprofits, and rural cooperatives. Key provisions include helping these groups prepare grant applications, identify funding sources, conduct feasibility studies, collect infrastructure data, and improve broadband facility management. The program prioritizes organizations with proven experience in rural technical assistance and allows national or multi-state applications for community support.
The New Collar Jobs Act of 2025 creates tax credits for employers who fund cybersecurity training for staff, covering up to $5,000 per employee annually. It also offers student loan forgiveness of up to $25,000 for cybersecurity workers employed in economically distressed areas for 36 consecutive months. The bill expands CyberCorps scholarships for cybersecurity education and increases funding for cybersecurity programs at colleges. These provisions directly affect employers, cybersecurity workers, and educational institutions seeking to address workforce shortages in critical security roles.
The LAST ACRE Act of 2025 establishes the "Last Acre Program" to expand high-speed broadband access to agricultural land that lacks sufficient connectivity. The program provides grants and loans to broadband providers to build networks meeting minimum speed requirements (100 Mbps downstream, 20 Mbps upstream) on unserved or underserved cropland, pastureland, and farm sites used for active agricultural production. It prioritizes assistance for limited resource farmers (those with lower income and farm sales) and requires providers to meet cybersecurity standards and submit detailed bid applications. The bill also mandates data collection about agricultural broadband usage and requires annual reporting to Congress on program implementation.
The Modernizing Government Technology Reform Act requires federal agencies to identify and report high-risk legacy information technology systems to the Federal Chief Information Officer. The Federal CIO must then compile and prioritize a list of the top 10 critical systems needing modernization, reporting this to Congress annually. Agencies can use dedicated fund money to upgrade outdated systems, enhance cybersecurity, or improve efficiency, but must repay funds to maintain the fund's operational balance until 2032. The bill also prohibits funding for projects with fraudulent or misleading information about technical design, business cases, or project management.
This bill creates a federal private right of action for individuals whose "covered data" (including personal information, biometrics, location data, and inferred profiles) is used without their clear, upfront permission. It requires explicit consent for data collection, processing, or sharing with third parties, mandating specific disclosures separate from general terms. Individuals can sue for damages (minimum $1,000 per violation), punitive damages, or injunctions, and the law invalidates pre-dispute arbitration agreements for these claims. The bill does not override stricter state privacy laws but establishes a baseline federal standard for data misuse by AI systems and data processors.
