Technology

in committee · United States · House Oct 8, 2025

HR 5704: Repeal the Smith-Mundt Modernization Act of 2013

HR 5704 would repeal the Smith-Mundt Modernization Act of 2013, restoring the original 1948 law that prohibits U.S. government agencies like the State Department and U.S. Agency for Global Media (USAGM) from sharing materials intended for foreign audiences within the United States. The bill requires such materials to be made available in English for review by the press and Congress but blocks domestic distribution, mandates they be archived by the National Archives for 20 years before public access with clear disclaimers about their origin, and bans using federal funds to influence domestic public opinion. This would directly affect how these agencies produce and handle international communications.

Topics ✗ TechnologyOpposes TechnologyBill restricts information flow and limits access to foreign media content within the US, reducing digital rights and information access.75% confidence

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in committee · United States · Senate Feb 25, 2026

S 3918: Government Surveillance Transparency Act of 2026

The Government Surveillance Transparency Act of 2026 requires federal, state, and tribal courts to publicly disclose criminal surveillance orders, applications, and inventories after a maximum 180-day sealing period, with strict requirements for extensions. The bill mandates courts to publish detailed public reports about surveillance requests, including the nature of investigations and the agencies involved, and requires electronic filing of all surveillance documents. It creates a unique case numbering system for surveillance orders and requires automatic unsealing of documents after the sealing period expires. The law applies to all courts conducting surveillance, with implementation phased to allow time for system upgrades, and aims to increase transparency around government surveillance activities while balancing legitimate law enforcement needs.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRequires public disclosure of criminal surveillance orders, enhancing transparency and accountability in law enforcement, aligning with civil rights protection and oversight indicators for criminal justice reform.95% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill enhances transparency and accountability in government surveillance, protecting digital privacy rights and limiting unchecked monitoring of technology use.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Law Enforcement Tags Government Transparency

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in committee · United States · House Dec 17, 2025

HR 6804: Rural Hospital Flexibility Act of 2025

The Rural Hospital Flexibility Act of 2025 creates new federal grant programs to support rural healthcare providers in improving services and adapting to community needs. It provides funding for quality improvement, behavioral health services, and technical assistance for critical access hospitals, rural health clinics, and rural emergency hospitals. The bill also establishes 5-year grants to help rural providers transition to new care models - including telehealth, integrated behavioral health, and extended emergency services - and offers specialized technical support for hospitals seeking rural emergency hospital status. These grants aim to strengthen rural healthcare systems by enhancing operational capacity and sustainability.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareProvides federal grants for rural healthcare quality improvement, behavioral health services, and telehealth access to strengthen rural healthcare infrastructure.95% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill explicitly funds telehealth and digital care model transitions for rural hospitals, advancing technology adoption in healthcare.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Hospitals Mental Health Telehealth Tags Rural Communities

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in committee · United States · House Jul 16, 2025

HR 4452: STEM RESTART Act

The STEM RESTART Act establishes a federal grant program to help mid-career skilled workers (unemployed or underemployed, particularly from rural areas) return to or transition into STEM jobs. It provides funding to small and medium-sized businesses in STEM fields to create "returnship" programs offering at least 10 weeks of training in above-entry-level positions with competitive pay, benefits, and career advancement opportunities. Grants range from $100,000 to $5 million annually per business, requiring programs to not displace existing employees and mandating annual reporting on participant demographics and job placement outcomes. The program is authorized to receive $50 million yearly from 2026 through 2030.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentProvides grants for returnship programs with competitive pay, benefits, and career advancement for mid-career workers transitioning into STEM jobs.95% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill establishes federal grants to promote STEM workforce development and training programs, directly advancing technology sector employment and skills.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Workforce Development

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in committee · United States · Senate May 13, 2026

SJRES 134: A joint resolution providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Bureau of Consumer Financial Protection relating to the withdrawal of the rule relating to "Truth in Lending (Regulation Z); Use of Digital User Accounts to Access Buy Now, Pay Later Loans".

This joint resolution seeks to disapprove a rule from the Bureau of Consumer Financial Protection that would have removed a regulation about digital user accounts for buy now, pay later loans. The bill uses a congressional veto mechanism to prevent the rule from taking effect, meaning the previous regulation requiring digital account protections for these loans would remain in place. It directly affects the Bureau of Consumer Financial Protection and financial institutions offering buy now, pay later services. The resolution does not create new rules but instead blocks a specific regulatory change that was submitted for approval.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill protects consumer data privacy by maintaining regulations on digital user accounts for BNPL loans, preventing weakening of digital account protections.85% confidence

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in committee · United States · House Sep 8, 2026

HR 7972: Taxpayer Workforce Modernization Act

This bill establishes a fellowship program within the Internal Revenue Service to recruit private sector data scientists for a specialized task force aimed at improving tax administration. The program would hire at least 10 fellows on multi-year contracts to work on complex tax cases, develop data-driven audit methods, and train IRS staff in advanced analytics and artificial intelligence. Fellows would receive competitive pay comparable to senior government positions and could be permanently hired after their terms, while the IRS Commissioner must submit annual reports to Congress on the program's effectiveness and costs. The initiative focuses on using data analysis to enhance audit selection, detect offshore tax evasion, and improve overall tax collection efficiency.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill strengthens tax administration by modernizing IRS capabilities through data science and AI, improving efficiency and compliance.85% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill establishes fellowship program to recruit data scientists and implement AI/analytics in IRS, advancing technology adoption in government.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Audits & Accountability Artificial Intelligence

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passed · United States · House Apr 28, 2026

HR 7971: Taxpayer Experience Improvement Act

The Taxpayer Experience Improvement Act requires the IRS to enhance how taxpayers interact with the agency through four main provisions. First, it mandates a public dashboard showing real-time wait times, call statistics, and backlog information for IRS phone lines. Second, it expands online access to allow taxpayers to view their tax returns, refunds, and notices through a website or mobile app. Third, it directs the IRS to offer callback options for calls that go unanswered within five minutes. Fourth, it enables authorized tax professionals to access taxpayer accounts and submit responses on behalf of their clients. These changes aim to improve transparency and convenience for taxpayers without altering tax laws or rates.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill mandates expanded online access to IRS services via website/mobile app and real-time digital dashboards, directly advancing technology adoption for public services.85% confidence

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in committee · United States · House Jan 22, 2025

HR 612: Health Care Providers Safety Act of 2025

HR 612, the Health Care Providers Safety Act of 2025, provides federal funding to help health care facilities improve safety. It authorizes the Secretary to award grants to hospitals, clinics, and other health care providers to cover costs for physical security (like structural improvements) and cyber security (such as data privacy tools and video surveillance systems). These grants directly help health care providers protect their facilities, staff, and patients from security threats. The bill creates a new funding mechanism under the Public Health Service Act, making specific security upgrades eligible for federal support.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill provides federal grants for healthcare facility safety improvements (physical/cyber security), directly funding protection of staff/patients per summary.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill funds physical/cyber security for health care facilities, directly improving workplace safety for staff (workers), aligning with Labor & Employment protections.95% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill explicitly funds cybersecurity measures including data privacy tools for healthcare providers, directly advancing data privacy and cybersecurity protections.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Hospitals Public Health Cybersecurity Data Privacy

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in committee · United States · House May 6, 2025

HR 2392: STABLE Act of 2025

The STABLE Act of 2025 establishes a regulatory framework for stablecoins, which are digital assets designed to maintain a stable value relative to a national currency. It restricts stablecoin issuance to "permitted payment stablecoin issuers," including bank subsidiaries, federally-approved nonbank entities, and state-qualified issuers. These issuers must maintain 1:1 reserves backed by specific assets (like U.S. currency, Treasury securities, or demand deposits), publish monthly reserve reports, and cannot pay interest to stablecoin holders. The Act also includes transparency requirements, restrictions on leadership (prohibiting those with certain felony convictions), and preempts conflicting state laws for federally-approved issuers.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyRegulates stablecoins (digital asset technology) with consumer protections (1:1 reserves, transparency), creating framework for safe adoption. Aligns with supporting technology via responsible regulation.90% confidence

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in committee · United States · House May 5, 2025

HR 3201: Belarus Democracy, Human Rights, and Sovereignty Act of 2025

The Belarus Democracy, Human Rights, and Sovereignty Act of 2025 (HR 3201) maintains U.S. sanctions against Belarusian officials responsible for undermining democracy, committing human rights abuses, or supporting Russia's invasion of Ukraine. The bill expands U.S. assistance to promote democratic institutions, independent media, and civil society in Belarus, including support for the democratic opposition and efforts to counter internet censorship. It requires a detailed report on Belarus's military cooperation with Russia, including the presence of Russian nuclear forces in Belarus and Belarus's role in abducting Ukrainian children from occupied territories. The law directly affects Belarusian government officials, security forces, and entities supporting the Lukashenka regime, while reaffirming U.S. non-recognition of Lukashenka as Belarus's legitimate leader. It represents a continuation of U.S. policy to hold the regime accountable while supporting Belarus's sovereignty and democratic aspirations.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill explicitly supports efforts to counter internet censorship, promoting open digital access and democratic engagement online.85% confidence

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