Lawmakers will face acquainted know-how points subsequent Congress

The 118th Congress will face some long-standing coverage challenges in addition to a number of new ones however might not get to the end line on any of them — even the federal knowledge privateness invoice that has bipartisan backing in each chambers.

Lawmakers have been debating antitrust laws aimed on the tech business, social media content material moderation insurance policies and the web unfold of disinformation for the final two Congresses however have but to ship any laws to the president’s desk. With Republicans taking the Home majority, the hill might develop into steeper.

“We’re nearer with Republicans and Democrats, however we’re once more on this house the place some devil-is-in-the-details are nonetheless being labored out,” mentioned Nicol Turner Lee, director of the Middle for Expertise Innovation on the Brookings Establishment, about knowledge privateness laws. “My hope is that this isn’t a type of points the place now we have to start out from scratch.” 

After years of debate and dialogue, the Home Power and Commerce Committee in July voted 53-2 to approve compromise bipartisan knowledge privateness laws. The invoice would set up a nationwide customary for knowledge privateness and has the backing of Sen. Roger Wicker, R-Miss., the highest Republican on the Senate Commerce Committee. 

The invoice might have bipartisan assist, however lawmakers from California, led by Speaker Nancy Pelosi, mentioned the invoice doesn’t give the state, the primary to move a knowledge privateness legislation, sufficient freedom to set its personal harder guidelines. 4 different states have handed comparable legal guidelines, and 5 others are contemplating comparable measures.