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State of Play

  • Congress is in session this week with just a couple weeks left before breaking for the holidays. 

  • The NDAA was released last night with numerous tech provisions included. More on that below.

Driving the News

  • As expected, the state moratorium on AI laws was dropped from the final compromise for NDAA. But President Trump quickly responded on Truth Social, saying he will announce an executive order this week, the “One Rule Executive Order,” to attempt to preempt state AI regulations.  

  • The EO is expected to garner significant industry support, as well as support from Members including Senator Cruz (R-TX), who have championed the moratorium. On the flip side, from what we have seen in the past few cycles on an AI moratorium, opposition is likely from multiple corners--Republican Governors, Steve Bannon’s MAGA base, traditional states rights defenders, and most Democrats.

Three Things to Watch in Tech

  1. NDAA Tech Ins and Outs: Congress released the final NDAA text last night, ultimately producing a bill that mirrors parts of the White House’s AI agenda while omitting several high-profile tech proposals.

  • The package includes new AI governance measures for the Defense Department, restrictions on using Chinese AI tools, and outbound investment limits targeting China. It also includes several major cybersecurity measures, such as requiring top Pentagon officials to use enhanced-security mobile devices and preserving the dual-hat leadership structure between NSA and US Cyber Command. 

  • The final bill ultimately leaves out contentious provisions such as federal preemption of state AI laws, the GAIN AI Act, and a ban on central bank digital currencies. The Cybersecurity Information Sharing Act and the State and Local Cybersecurity Grant Program were also omitted. 

  • The House is expected to vote on it first this week, with the Senate to follow. Though Members will still have the opportunity to fight for their provisions on the floor

  1. Senate Judiciary Holds Hearing on Children’s Online Safety: The Senate Judiciary Committee will hold a hearing Tuesday to examine children’s online safety protections, and how

  • Despite the hearing’s focus on law enforcement efforts to combat online offenders, Members are expected to bring up a host of online safety concerns, including content moderation, Section 230, KOSA, and other issues outside the Committee’s jurisdiction. 

  • Senator Marsha Blackburn (R-TN) is expected to discuss her bill, the Safe Cloud Storage Act, which would provide limited liability protections to law enforcement-approved vendors who store CSAM for investigations. 

  • Witnesses include representatives from the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC) and other law enforcement specializations. 

  • The hearing falls on the heels of the House Energy and Commerce’s hearing on kids' online safety. It is unclear if either or both chambers will act on any kids online safety legislation this year, or if it will be punted into next.

  1. House Science Looks for Genesis Mission Implementation Solutions: The House Science Committee is set to hold a hearing with Department of Energy Under Secretary for Science Dario Gil, on how the agency is prepared to implement President Trump’s Executive Order, The Genesis Mission.

  • The Administration issued the EO late last month, directing the DOE to integrate its supercomputers, datasets, and AI systems to dramatically accelerate scientific discovery and bolster US tech leadership. 

  • Gil is expected to highlight reorganizations efforts to strengthen AI, quantum, fusion, and commercializations, as well as plans for substantial new investments in data curation and AI-ready infrastructure.

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🏛️ Tech Hearings

  • The Senate Judiciary Committee holds a hearing on "Protecting Our Children Online Against the Evolving Offender" - Tuesday, December 9 at 10:15 AM EST

  • The Senate Judiciary Intellectual Property Subcommittee holds a hearing on "Balancing the Interests of Local Radio, Songwriters, and Performers in the Digital Age" - Tuesday, December 9 at 3:00 PM EST

  • The House Financial Services Committee holds a hearing on “From Principles to Policy: Enabling 21st Century AI Innovation in Financial Services” - Wednesday, December 10 at 10:00 AM EST

  • The House Science, Space and Technology Committee holds a hearing on "The Genesis Mission: Prioritizing American Science and Technology Leadership" - Wednesday, December 10 at 10:00 AM EST

  • The House Oversight and Government Reform Economic Growth, Energy Policy, and Regulatory Affairs Subcommittee holds a hearing on “Lowering the Cost of Healthcare: Technology’s Role in Driving Affordability” - Wednesday, December 10 at 10:00 AM EST

  • The House Oversight and Government Reform Cybersecurity, Information Technology, and Government Innovation Subcommittee holds a hearing on “Using Modern Tools to Counter Human Trafficking” - Wednesday, December 10 at 2:00 PM EST

  • The House Judiciary Committee holds a hearing on "Oversight of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act" - Thursday, December 11 at 9:00 AM EST

  • The House Agriculture Committee holds a hearing on "CFTC Reauthorization: Stakeholder Perspectives" - Thursday, December 11 at 10:00 AM EST

  • The House Select Committee on the CCP holds a hearing on “Trojan Horse: China's Auto Threat to America” - Thursday, December 11 at 10:00 AM EST

🗓️ Upcoming Events

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