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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.
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Representative Chuck Edwards Sponsors Bill to Penalize Hospitals for Patient Safety Failures

Representative Chuck Edwards Sponsors Bill to Penalize Hospitals for Patient Safety Failures

Representative Chuck Edwards (R-NC-11) has sponsored H.R. 10311, a bill aimed at amending Title XVIII of the Social Security Act. This proposed legislation seeks to establish a civil monetary penalty for hospitals that fail to comply with specific requirements, particularly when such non-compliance immediately jeopardizes the health or safety of patients. The bill has been referred to the House Ways and Means Committee for consideration. This initiative highlights a legislative focus on accountability within the healthcare system, specifically targeting instances where hospital operations directly impact patient well-being. The introduction of this bill comes amidst broader discussions in Congress regarding healthcare oversight and patient protection measures.
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Representative Sanford Bishop Co-Sponsors Resolution to Close 13th Amendment Slavery Loophole

Representative Sanford Bishop Co-Sponsors Resolution to Close 13th Amendment Slavery Loophole

U.S. Representative Sanford Bishop Jr. (GA-02) is a co-sponsor of the bicameral 'End the Exception Amendment,' a resolution aimed at striking the 'Slavery Clause' from the 13th Amendment of the U.S. Constitution. This clause currently permits slavery 'as a punishment for crime.' The resolution was reintroduced by U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley (D-OR), U.S. Representative Nikema Williams (GA-05), and U.S. Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ). Proponents argue that this loophole has historically allowed for forced labor, particularly impacting Black Americans, through practices like 'Black Codes' enacted after 1865. These codes led to mass arrests for minor offenses, with imprisoned individuals then leased out for labor, sometimes on the same plantations where they had been enslaved. By 1898, 73% of Alabama's state revenue reportedly came from such forced labor. The resolution seeks to eliminate this exception, ensuring a complete ban on slavery without any qualifications.
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US NTSB says one-third of FAA answers to safety recommendations are 'unacceptable'

US NTSB says one-third of FAA answers to safety recommendations are 'unacceptable'

By David Shepardson WASHINGTON, Sept 14 (Reuters) - The U.S.
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Congressman Meuser Introduces Legislation to Expand Housing Assistance for Homeless Veterans

Congressman Meuser Introduces Legislation to Expand Housing Assistance for Homeless Veterans

Congressman Dan Meuser (PA-09) has introduced H.R. 10168, the Veterans Housing Opportunity Act, aimed at increasing housing assistance for veterans who are experiencing or are at risk of homelessness. This legislation proposes a five-year pilot program within the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). The program's core function is to identify underutilized HUD-Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing (HUD-VASH) rental assistance funding and reallocate it to areas with higher demand for veteran housing. The HUD-VASH program currently combines HUD rental assistance with VA case management and supportive services to help veterans secure and maintain stable housing. However, its effectiveness is limited by HUD's inability to reallocate unused vouchers to communities where the need is greatest. Congressman Meuser collaborated with the Tunnel to Towers Foundation in drafting this legislation, a national nonprofit dedicated to providing housing opportunities for veterans, first responders, and Gold S...
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Senator Rick Scott Urges Congress to Pass SAFE KIDS Act to Combat Birth Tourism

Senator Rick Scott Urges Congress to Pass SAFE KIDS Act to Combat Birth Tourism

U.S. Senator Rick Scott is calling on Congress to pass his proposed legislation, the SAFE KIDS Act, aimed at preventing birth tourism and addressing the exploitation of America's immigration laws by foreign adversaries, including Communist China. Senator Scott highlighted the urgency of this bill by referencing a specific case in St. Augustine, Florida, where children are in legal limbo due to an uncollected surrogacy arrangement involving a Chinese national who has never entered the U.S. He also noted an upcoming hearing by the U.S. House Oversight and Government Reform Committee Task Force on Defending Constitutional Rights and Exposing Institutional Abuses, which will focus on suspected birth tourism abuses in the Miami area. Scott emphasized that current businesses in Florida appear to be structured around exploiting the immigration system, underscoring the need for legislative action to protect vulnerable individuals from being trafficked and treated as commodities. He urged his Senate colleagues to p...
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U.S. Representative Don Beyer Joins Lawmakers in Opposing Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026

U.S. Representative Don Beyer Joins Lawmakers in Opposing Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026

U.S. Representative Don Beyer (D-VA), alongside Representatives Gregory W. Meeks (D-NY) and Richard Neal (D-Mass.), has issued a joint statement opposing the Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026. The three lawmakers, who hold ranking Democratic positions on key congressional committees, argue that the bill's expanded tariff authorities and its failure to mandate sanctions on Russia are 'unacceptable.' They have called for 'bicameral, bipartisan negotiations' to address their concerns. The legislation, initially introduced in April 2025, gained momentum after President Trump signaled his support last November, contingent on obtaining new tariff authorities and retaining flexibility over sanctions. The bill passed the Senate on August 7 with bipartisan support (86-11) and is now slated for consideration by the House of Representatives, with the Rules Committee scheduling a meeting to clear the way for a floor vote.
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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.
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Proposed Crossing Fees Could Fund Border Pollution Response in San Diego

Proposed Crossing Fees Could Fund Border Pollution Response in San Diego

A new proposal suggests implementing crossing fees on commercial trucks and individuals crossing the U.S.-Mexico border to fund a 'fix-it fund' for addressing border pollution in San Diego County. Mark Blakey of Bonita argues that those who benefit from crossing the border, whether for cheaper living, business, or entertainment, also contribute to the pollution crisis, particularly through living, working, and commuting in and out of Mexico. The proposal calls for Congress to authorize these fees, which would apply to the estimated 50 million people-crossings per year. This initiative aims to provide a dedicated funding source to combat the persistent environmental issues stemming from cross-border activities, which have been a long-standing challenge for the region.
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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
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Representative Shontel Brown Co-Introduces The Refresh Act to Support School Personnel Wellness Programs

Representative Shontel Brown Co-Introduces The Refresh Act to Support School Personnel Wellness Programs

Representative Shontel Brown, a Democrat representing Ohio's 11th congressional district, has co-introduced H.R.8676, known as The Refresh Act. This legislative initiative aims to amend the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965. The primary goal of The Refresh Act is to establish a grant program that would provide funding to state educational agencies. These agencies would then use the grants to implement comprehensive wellness programs specifically designed for school personnel. The proposed act seeks to address the well-being of educators and other staff within the school system, recognizing the critical role they play in student success and the challenges they often face. The introduction of this bill highlights a growing focus on mental health and support systems within the educational sector.
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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...