The Protection Against Mass Surveillance Act prohibits federal agencies from buying, using, or contracting for automated surveillance systems that rely on license plate recognition, facial recognition, biometric identification, or other technologies designed for mass tracking. It also prevents state, local, and tribal governments from using federal funds to acquire or operate these same surveillance tools. If federal agencies obtain data in violation of these rules, the law requires them to delete the information within 30 days and bars its use as evidence in any court or administrative proceeding.
The DHS Surveillance Technology Moratorium Act of 2026 temporarily halts the Department of Homeland Security from using funds to start, renew, or expand contracts for surveillance tools used in immigration enforcement, such as facial recognition and predictive analytics. This pause applies to agencies like U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Customs and Border Protection, though existing contracts can continue until a review is complete. The bill mandates an independent audit within 180 days to examine data collection practices, privacy impacts, and the accuracy of these technologies, followed by a public report detailing their use and capabilities. The funding ban remains in effect until the audit is finished, a public report is released, and the department demonstrates it has implemented necessary safeguards to protect civil liberties. Once these conditions are met, the moratorium lifts, but the department must submit annual reports on its continued use of these technologies and any related privacy complaints.
This bill prohibits U.S. universities from receiving federal research and development funding for five years if they previously accepted money from specific foreign governments for projects involving artificial intelligence, biotechnology, or quantum computing. The targeted foreign entities include China, Russia, Iran, North Korea, Venezuela, Cuba, Turkey, and Qatar, as well as organizations closely tied to these nations. By restricting access to future defense-related grants, the legislation aims to prevent institutions that have collaborated with these countries on sensitive technologies from participating in subsequent national security research.
This bill prohibits U.S. universities from receiving federal research and development funding for five years if they previously accepted money from specific foreign governments for projects involving artificial intelligence, biotechnology, or quantum information science. The law targets institutions of higher education and restricts them from getting awards related to national security or military applications if they took funds from countries like China, Russia, Iran, or others listed in the text. It defines a "foreign source" broadly to include not only the listed governments but also their subsidiaries, agents, and entities with significant ownership ties to those governments. By banning these specific types of funding, the legislation aims to prevent potential security risks associated with foreign involvement in sensitive technological research.
The American Security Robotics Act of 2026 prohibits federal agencies from purchasing or operating unmanned ground vehicles made by foreign entities from certain countries. This ban applies to mechanical devices that move on land, such as autonomous patrol robots or surveillance vehicles, and extends to contracts where these systems are used by federal agencies. The law allows exceptions for specific national security purposes like counter-terrorism, research, or when the foreign technology is modified to remove data transfer capabilities and cybersecurity risks. Four federal departments - Homeland Security, Defense, State, and Justice - are authorized to request exemptions from these restrictions if they demonstrate a national interest.
This bill would prohibit the Social Security Trust Funds from investing in cryptocurrency or any crypto-related investments. It directly affects the Social Security system by amending the Social Security Act to ban digital assets and related financial products from the fund's investment portfolio. The legislation defines "digital asset" using the existing definition from the GENIUS Act and includes various crypto-related investments such as funds tied to digital asset futures, stocks of companies deriving value from digital assets, and other assets whose value depends on cryptocurrency. This change would remove cryptocurrency from the list of allowable investments for Social Security's trust funds.
HR 2939, the Drone Espionage Act, updates existing espionage law to explicitly prohibit taking or transmitting video footage of defense information. It amends Title 18, U.S. Code, Section 793 by inserting "video" after "photographic negative" in the definition of prohibited materials. This change directly affects individuals who capture or share video of classified military or defense-related information, whether using drones or other devices. The bill makes no new criminal penalties but ensures video evidence is covered under current espionage statutes.
HR 7363, the ICE Out of Our Faces Act, prohibits U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers from using facial recognition, voice recognition, or other biometric surveillance technology for immigration enforcement. It directly affects CBP and ICE officers, including those deputized under Section 287(g), by banning the acquisition, possession, or use of such technology within the U.S. The bill requires immediate deletion of all existing biometric data collected by these agencies within 30 days of enactment and makes illegally obtained data inadmissible in court. Individuals harmed by violations can sue the federal government for damages, while officers violating the law face retraining, suspension, or termination.
HR 1188 establishes a federal grant program to help state and local law enforcement agencies purchase body-worn cameras and implement camera programs. To qualify for funding, agencies must adopt public policies on camera use, secure data storage, privacy protections, and strict limits on facial recognition technology (requiring judicial authorization for its use). The bill mandates collecting and reporting demographic data on use-of-force incidents (by race, gender, etc.) and prohibits sharing footage without legal justification. It allocates $30 million annually for fiscal years 2026-2028, with requirements for public policy access, data security, and annual reporting to the federal government.
The FIGHT China Act of 2025 restricts U.S. investments in Chinese companies with ties to China's military or surveillance sectors. It prohibits U.S. persons from engaging in transactions involving "prohibited technologies" such as advanced semiconductors (with specific technical specifications), AI systems, quantum computing, and hypersonic weapons, while requiring notification for certain "notifiable technology" investments. The bill mandates that U.S. investors divest from companies on the Non-SDN Chinese Military-Industrial Complex Companies List within one year of enactment. It establishes a process for identifying Chinese entities subject to these restrictions, with annual reports to Congress required for seven years.
