WEEK OF APRIL 7, 2025 

Cloudy with a Chance of Hearings: Tech & Trade Downpour ☔

State of Play: 

  • The House and Senate are in session this week. 

  • House Republican leaders still plan to push a reworked Senate budget plan through this week despite growing opposition from fiscal conservatives, which could jeopardize its passage and force alternative strategies if it fails.

Driving the News: 

  • President Trump extended TikTok’s deadline by 75 days amid stalled negotiations over a deal to transfer its US operations to non-Chinese ownership. The delay stems from Trump’s new China tariffs, which prompted Beijing to halt approval of the deal until broader trade issues are addressed.

  • President Trumpthreatened to impose an additional 50% tariff on China if it doesn’t roll back its retaliatory tariffs, further escalating the trade conflict sparked by his recent “Liberation Day” import tax rollout.

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Three Things to Watch in Tech:

1. Tech Impacted By Trump’s Tariffs: President Trump’s sweeping new tariffs are hitting the tech industry hard, especially several big tech companies dependent on global supply chains. 

  • The tariffs have triggered stock market declines and sparked concern that rising costs will hurt consumer electronics, AI infrastructure, and exports. Tech companies are seeking exemptions from tariffs, largely citing issues around China competition concerns, and urging Congress to intervene on trade policy.

  • While many warn of long-term damage, some lawmakers argue the tariffs could eventually boost domestic tech development and reduce reliance on foreign suppliers. 

  • The Senate Finance Committee is the first to respond, announcing a hearing with US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer tomorrow, to examine the President’s trade agenda and plans for dealing with the current market fallout.

2. DeepSeek, Deepfakes, and AI Energy in the Spotlight: AI is once again the topic du jour for several hearings this week as congress inches closer to establishing its AI priorities for this legislative session. 

  • First on deck is the House Science hearing Tuesday that will dive into the national security and competition implications of DeepSeek’s new AI models that were produced using legacy chips and trained on US data sources. Witnesses will tackle how DeepSeek developed their models’ advanced capabilities, and the impacts on US-China AI competition.

  • The House Energy and Commerce Committee will hold a markup Tuesday on several different bills, notably the TAKE IT DOWN Act, which would prohibit AI-generated deepfakes online. The bill previously passed the Senate with unanimous consent, and is not expected to face pushback in the House. 

  • Energy and Commerce will also hold a hearing Wednesday with several large AI companies, and former Google CEO Eric Schmidt, on energy use to power AI innovation. Committee Chair Brett Guthrie (R-KY) has been focused on addressing the energy needs of AI, and how the US can ensure it has the capabilities to compete globally on AI development. 

3. Senate Commerce Finally Moves on Trusty for FCC: The Senate Commerce Committee is set to hold its highly anticipated hearing Tuesday with President Trump’s Federal Communications Commissioner nominee Olivia Trusty. 

  • Trusty has served as a longtime telecommunications policy adviser to Senator Roger Wicker (R-MO), and is expected to face tough questions from Democratic Members on her vision for maintaining the FCC’s independence 

  • FCC Chair Brendan Carr has been vocal in his support of President Trump’s priorities to overhaul media he has alleged censored conservative voices. It is likely there will be questions around the FCC’s jurisdiction in tackling unlawful censorship, as well as other priorities including spectrum auction authority, robocalls, and net neutrality. 

  • Trusty is highly respected on both sides of the aisle and despite their tough questions, should be approved now that the Committee process is moving.

What's Happening This Week

Tech Hearings

  • The House Science, Space and Technology Research and Technology Subcommittee holds a hearing on "DeepSeek: A Deep Dive" - Tuesday, April 8 at 10:00 AM EST

  • The Senate Finance Committee holds a hearing to examine the President's 2025 trade policy agenda - Tuesday, April 8 at 10:00 AM EST

  • The House Energy and Commerce Committee holds a markup, including the TAKE IT DOWN Act, ROUTERS Act, and the TICKET Act - Tuesday, April 8 at 10:15 AM EST

  • The Senate Judiciary Committee holds a hearing on "The Freedom of Information Act: Perspectives from Public Requesters" - Tuesday, April 8 at 10:15 AM EST

  • The House Financial Services Digital Assets, Financial Technology, and Artificial Intelligence Subcommittee holds a hearing on "American Innovation and the Future of Digital Assets: Aligning the U.S. Securities Laws for the Digital Age" - Wednesday, April 9 at 10:00 AM EST

  • The House Energy and Commerce Committee holds a hearing on “Converting Energy into Intelligence: the Future of AI Technology, Human Discovery, and American Global Competitiveness” - Wednesday, April 9 at 10:00 AM EST

  • The Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee hold a hearing to examine Olivia Trusty to be a member of the Federal Communications Commission - Wednesday, April 9 at 10:15 AM EST

  • The House Agriculture Commodity Markets, Digital Assets, and Rural Development Subcommittee holds a hearing on “American Innovation and the Future of Digital Assets: On-Chain Tools for an Off-Chain World" - Wednesday, April 9 at 2:00 PM EST

  • The Senate Judiciary Crime and Counterterrorism Subcommittee holds a hearing on "A Time for Truth: Oversight of Meta's Foreign Relations and Representations to the United States Congress" - Wednesday, April 9 at 2:30 PM EST

  • The Joint Economic Committee holds a hearing on "Reducing Waste, Fraud and Abuse Through Innovation: How AI & Data Can Improve Government Efficiency" - Wednesday, April 9 at 2:30 PM EST

  • The Senate Armed Services Cybersecurity Subcommittee holds a hearing on "United States Cyber Command in review of the Defense Authorization Request for FY2026 and the Future Years Defense Program" - Wednesday, April 9 at 3:30 PM EST

  • The Senate Finance Committee holds a hearing to examine the nomination of William Kimmitt, to be Under Secretary of Commerce for International Trade - Thursday, April 10 at 10:00 AM EST 

Tech Events

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