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Congressmen Introduce Bill to Prevent Transfer of Qatari-Gifted Air Force One to President Trump's Library

Congressmen Introduce Bill to Prevent Transfer of Qatari-Gifted Air Force One to President Trump's Library

Congressman Joe Courtney (CT-02) and Congressman Adam Smith (WA-09) have introduced the Safeguarding Taxpayer Investment for Executive Airlift Act. This proposed legislation aims to prohibit the use of congressionally authorized or appropriated Fiscal Year 2027 funding to transfer the Qatari-gifted Boeing 747, currently designated as the VC-25B Bridge Aircraft and used as Air Force One, out of the possession of the U.S. Air Force. The bill directly addresses public claims made by President Trump that this aircraft would be transferred to his presidential library. According to Rep. Courtney, the aircraft, which had approximately 1,000 flight hours upon transfer from Qatar and was described by President Trump as 'practically brand new,' has received substantial taxpayer investment for retrofitting. Both congressmen argue that the plane is the property of the U.S. Air Force and should not be treated as a private jet or a library trophy piece, citing concerns over the misuse of taxpayer dollars and the need fo...

Congresswoman Houchin Introduces Bipartisan '16 Up Social Media Act' to Establish National Age Standard

Congresswoman Houchin Introduces Bipartisan '16 Up Social Media Act' to Establish National Age Standard

Congresswoman Erin Houchin (R-IN-09) and Congressman Jake Auchincloss (D-MA-04) have jointly introduced the '16 & Up Social Media Act.' This bipartisan legislation aims to set a national age standard of 16 for social media platforms, prohibiting individuals under this age from creating or maintaining accounts. The bill specifically targets platforms that utilize engagement-driven design features, such as infinite scroll, autoplay, push alerts, and personalized feeds, which are engineered to capture and retain user attention. According to Rep. Houchin, the legislation is a response to the addictive nature of these platforms, particularly for children, and seeks to provide a clear guideline for both platforms and parents. The act also mandates the deletion of children's data upon account termination and requires platforms to establish a five-day appeals process for account closures, focusing on design features rather than content regulation.

Washington Grapples with AI and Data Center Concerns Amidst Midterm Elections

Washington Grapples with AI and Data Center Concerns Amidst Midterm Elections

Washington is currently addressing growing concerns regarding Artificial Intelligence (AI) and data centers, as discussed by NPR’s Tamara Keith and Amy Walter of The Cook Political Report. President Trump has expressed disinterest in increased AI regulation, while House Speaker Mike Johnson suggests tech companies should lead the way. This issue has created unusual alliances, with figures like Steve Bannon and Bernie Sanders finding common ground. Despite Congress being back in session, significant AI legislation is unlikely before the midterms. The debate extends to the impact of data centers on local communities, particularly concerning electricity costs. Voters are primarily focused on affordability, and candidates are leveraging data center issues in their campaigns, either promising regulation to lower electricity bills or blaming opponents for high costs due to data center approvals and tax breaks. The broader implications of AI, such as job displacement, are not yet central to midterm campaign discu...

House Speaker Mike Johnson States Congress Will Not Lead on AI Safety Regulation, Urges Industry Protocols

House Speaker Mike Johnson States Congress Will Not Lead on AI Safety Regulation, Urges Industry Protocols

House Speaker Mike Johnson has announced that Congress will not take the lead in regulating Artificial Intelligence (AI) safety. Instead, Speaker Johnson is urging AI companies to proactively adopt their own safety protocols. He emphasized a need for practical solutions rather than widespread panic regarding AI development. This stance indicates a preference for industry-led self-regulation over immediate legislative intervention from the federal government. Speaker Johnson's comments suggest a belief that the private sector is better positioned to understand and address the rapidly evolving challenges and opportunities presented by AI technology. This approach aims to foster innovation while still encouraging responsible development within the AI industry.

Rep. Jay Obernolte Co-Authors Bipartisan AI Legislation Amidst Capitol Hill Concerns

Rep. Jay Obernolte Co-Authors Bipartisan AI Legislation Amidst Capitol Hill Concerns

Rep. Jay Obernolte, a Republican from California, is actively involved in legislative efforts concerning artificial intelligence (AI) on Capitol Hill. He has co-authored the Frontier Act with Rep. Lori Trahan, D-Mass., which aims to establish new safety and transparency rules for large AI companies. This bill is one of several AI-related legislative proposals introduced in Congress, though none have yet gained significant traction. Obernolte has also introduced the AI LABS Act, designed to provide federal grants for K-12 schools to create dedicated AI labs, fostering hands-on learning and educator understanding of AI. Additionally, he co-introduced the Liquid Cooling for AI Act, which focuses on assessing and advancing the use of liquid cooling technologies in U.S. data centers to enhance AI computing capabilities. These initiatives come amidst increasing concerns among lawmakers and tech experts regarding the rapid advancement and potential risks of AI.

House Republicans Propose Overhaul of Consumer Financial Protection Bureau Funding

House Republicans Propose Overhaul of Consumer Financial Protection Bureau Funding

House Financial Services Committee Republicans are advancing legislation to significantly alter the funding and governance of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB). The centerpiece of this effort is H.R. 10184, the Consumer Financial Protection Accountability and Reform Act of 2026, co-sponsored by nearly 30 Republicans, including Rep. French Hill (R-AR-2). This bill aims to remove the CFPB's current funding mechanism, which draws directly from the Federal Reserve, and instead subject it to the congressional appropriations process. Additionally, the proposed legislation would establish an inspector general specifically for the CFPB. This move follows a discussion draft circulated by House Republicans and a roundtable discussion on modernizing consumer financial protection, which included Rep. French Hill and former CFPB Director Kathy Kraninger, alongside industry representatives.

U.S. Representative Val Hoyle Co-Sponsors Legislation to Increase Social Security Benefits and Tax High-Income Earners

U.S. Representative Val Hoyle Co-Sponsors Legislation to Increase Social Security Benefits and Tax High-Income Earners

U.S. Representative Val Hoyle, alongside Senator Bernie Sanders, has introduced legislation aimed at increasing Social Security benefits by $2,400 annually. This proposal seeks to strengthen the program's finances by subjecting additional high-income earnings and certain investment income to Social Security taxes. The legislation also includes a change to the annual cost-of-living adjustment (COLA), proposing the use of an inflation measure designed to better reflect the expenses faced by older Americans. This initiative comes as the 2026 Social Security Trustees Report projects that the Old-Age and Survivors Insurance Trust Fund will be depleted by the fourth quarter of 2032, at which point ongoing income would only cover about 78% of scheduled benefits. The proposed changes are part of broader discussions in Congress regarding the long-term solvency of Social Security.

Reps. Massie and Burlison Introduce 'Flock-Off Act' to Ban Federal Funding for ALPRs Amidst Growing Surveillance Concerns

Reps. Massie and Burlison Introduce 'Flock-Off Act' to Ban Federal Funding for ALPRs Amidst Growing Surveillance Concerns

Republican Representatives Thomas Massie of Kentucky and Eric Burlison of Missouri have introduced the 'Flock-Off Act' in Congress. This proposed legislation aims to prohibit the use of federal funds for the purchase or operation of automated license plate readers (ALPRs). Furthermore, it mandates that any existing ALPR systems funded by federal money must be shut down within 180 days of the act's passage. The move comes amidst increasing bipartisan concern over the widespread deployment of ALPR technology, particularly systems from companies like Flock Safety, which critics argue facilitate warrantless mass surveillance. Lawmakers and civil liberties advocates contend that these AI-powered cameras, which scan and record vehicle license plates, infringe upon fundamental privacy rights by creating a comprehensive tracking network of American drivers. This federal initiative mirrors actions taken at the state level, where officials in Texas and Florida have moved to restrict or remove ALPRs, and numerous loc...

Representative Lori Trahan Urges Congressional Action on AI Regulation Following Researcher Warnings

Representative Lori Trahan Urges Congressional Action on AI Regulation Following Researcher Warnings

Representative Lori Trahan, a Democrat from Massachusetts, is actively pushing for increased congressional action on artificial intelligence (AI) regulation. Her advocacy intensified after a former researcher from AI company Anthropic issued a stark warning about the potential dangers of AI, including the possibility of humanity's demise. Trahan highlighted that her phone has been ringing constantly since this warning, indicating a heightened awareness among her colleagues. She referenced her bipartisan FRONTIER Act, a bill she worked on during the spring and summer to grant the federal government oversight over cutting-edge AI technology. Trahan emphasized the urgency for legislative measures to ensure the safety and proper oversight of AI, noting the resignations of safety researchers and the rapid advancements in AI models. Her efforts are part of a broader movement among lawmakers to address the societal impacts and risks associated with AI technology, which has historically faced legislative hurdles d...

Representatives Massie and Burlison Introduce 'Flock-Off Act' to Prohibit Federal Funding for Surveillance Technologies

Representatives Massie and Burlison Introduce 'Flock-Off Act' to Prohibit Federal Funding for Surveillance Technologies

U.S. Representatives Thomas Massie (R-KY) and Eric Burlison (R-MO) have introduced H.R. 10221, known as the 'Flock-Off Act.' This legislation aims to address growing concerns about government surveillance by prohibiting the use of federal funds for the purchase, installation, maintenance, operation, or upgrade of automated license plate readers (ALPRs) and biometric surveillance cameras. The move comes amidst increasing scrutiny of companies like Flock Safety, which provides extensive surveillance networks, including drone-based systems capable of automatically launching in response to incidents and collecting vast amounts of data. Critics argue that these technologies, such as Flock's Alpha drone, which can fly at 60 mph and use thermal imaging to read license plates from 2,000 feet, turn public spaces into searchable surveillance networks and can lead to mass data collection on innocent individuals.

House Speaker Mike Johnson says Trump's $5,000 'dividend' needs congressional approval

House Speaker Mike Johnson says Trump's $5,000 'dividend' needs congressional approval

House Speaker Mike Johnson says Congress would have to approve President Donald Trump's proposal to send $5,000 to each American adult if the Republican Party maintains control of the House and Senate in the November election

U.S. Rep. April McClain Delaney's Voting Record Shows 31% Alignment with Donor Industries

U.S. Rep. April McClain Delaney's Voting Record Shows 31% Alignment with Donor Industries

U.S. Rep. April McClain Delaney, D-6th, has a 31% 'yea' rate on bills that touch industry sectors that have donated to her campaign. This analysis is based on 94 recorded votes on such bills. The methodology involves checking whether a bill's official policy area and its summary mention specific industry sectors. For each sector that has contributed to Rep. McClain Delaney's campaign, the frequency of her 'yea' votes on bills related to that sector is calculated. Sectors with fewer than 10 recorded votes on sector-tagged bills are excluded from this analysis. The data used for this assessment is current as of September 3, 2026, with campaign finance data sourced from FEC.gov and voting records from the 119th Congress via Congress.gov.