US Senate
Two Months After President Trump Signs TikTok Executive Order, Senator Markey Demands Answers on Details of the Supposed TikTok Deal
Ahead of the two-month anniversary of President Donald Trump signing an executive order on a supposed TikTok deal, Senator Ed Markey (D-MA), a member of the Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee, wrote a letter to President Trump, requesting a briefing on the status of the TikTok deal and answers to questions on the terms of the deal. Sen Markey writes, "Although your Administration has repeatedly declared that it reached a TikTok deal with China and financial investors, you have released few details on any agreement.
Sens Blackburn, Luján Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Fast-Track Telecommunications and Broadband Expansion Across America
Sens Marsha Blackburn (R-TN) and Ben Ray Luján (D-NM) introduced the bipartisan Broadband and Telecommunications RAIL Act, which would streamline the process to deploy telecommunications and broadband equipment in public and railroad rights-of-way. Rights-of-way are the corridors alongside public roads and railroad tracks where utilities can install infrastructure. The Broadband and Telecommunications RAIL Act would streamline the deployment of telecommunications and broadband equipment in public and railroad rights-of-way by establishing two separate processes:
Sen. Cruz (R-TX): Over $1.2 billion in BEAD Funding to Texas Will Boost Connection
My work on the Commerce Committee to hold the BEAD program accountable has spared taxpayers from paying for internet to mansions and vacation islands while still securing over $1 billion in funding for Texas. By refocusing the program on its core mission of digital connection, instead of the Biden administration’s costly and burdensome regulation, we have freed states like Texas to responsibly use this money to expand internet access to rural communities.
Sen. Schiff, Rep. Ruiz Introduce Bill to Strengthen Communications Access on Tribal Lands
Sen Adam Schiff (D-CA) and Rep Raul Ruiz (D-CA-25) introduced the Tribal Internet Expansion Act of 2025, legislation to help expand telecommunications and information services to Tribal communities. The Tribal Internet Expansion Act of 2025 will update the Communications Act of 1934 to explicitly include Indian Country and expand essential broadband access to rural, insular, and high-cost Tribal and Indigenous c
Sen Curtis Calls for Lowering Political Temperture, Reforming Social Media Algorithms
At a CNN townhall at Utah Valley University, US Senators John Curtis (R-UT) and Mark Kelly (D-AZ) urged Americans to lower political tensions and introduced critical social media reforms. Reflecting on the recent shooting of Charlie Kirk and other high-profile attacks, Senator Curtis warned, “If it can happen here in Utah, it can happen anywhere,” calling for the tempering of political tensions from both sides of the aisle.
Sens Hawley, Warner to Introduce Bipartisan Legislation Revealing Number of Jobs Lost to AI
Senators Josh Hawley (R-MO) and Mark Warner (D-VA) will introduce the AI-Related Job Impacts Clarity Act. This legislation would require major companies and federal agencies to report AI related layoffs to the Department of Labor to be compiled into a publicly available report. The AI-Related Job Impacts Clarity Act would:
Sens Marshall and Welch Reintroduce Legislation to Strengthen USDA Broadband Program for Rural Communities
Sen Roger Marshall (R-KS) reintroduced the bipartisan ReConnecting Rural America Act alongside Senator Peter Welch (D-VT). This legislation will strengthen the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s ReConnect Loan and Grant Program.
Sens Hawley and Blumenthal Introduce GUARD Act to Protect Kids from AI Chatbots
Sens Josh Hawley (R-MO), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Katie Britt (R-AK), Mark Warner (D-VA), and Chris Murphy (D-CT) held a press conference introducing bipartisan legislation to protect children from AI chatbots, the GUARD Act. This legislation would:
- Ban AI companies from providing AI companions to minors.
- Mandate that AI companions disclose their non-human status and lack of professional credentials for all users
- Create new crimes for companies which knowingly make available to minors AI companions that solicit or produce sexual content.
US Senators Urge FCC Chairman Carr Not to Gut IPCS Rules
In a letter to Federal Communications Commission Chairman Brendan Carr, a group of Democratic U.S. Senators urged the Commission not to "gut" the FCC's 2024 final rule implementing the bipartisan Martha Wright-Reed Just and Reasonable Communications Act of 2022. "As a Commissioner, you voted for the FCC’s 2024 final rule that was adopted on a bipartisan basis, 5-0," says the letter. "Consistent with Congressional intent, the 2024 final rule cut prison phone rates bymore than half and banned junk fees charged by providers.