CivicIndex

Federal Policy

Science, Technology, and Telecommunications

This area covers NASA, NSF, the FCC, broadband, internet regulation, AI policy, and federal R&D funding. The Commerce committees lead on most of it. AI safety and content moderation have become especially active subtopics since 2023.

Committees with jurisdiction

  • House Committee on Energy and Commerce
  • House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology
  • Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation
  • Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies

Members who specialize in this area

Leadership

Committee members

119 more members on jurisdictional committees not shown.

Recent bills in this area

  • SRES. 761 — A resolution designating June 23, 2026, as "Social Media Harms Victim Remembrance Day".

    Sponsor:
    Amy Klobuchar · Democratic · MN
    Latest action:
    Resolution agreed to in Senate without amendment and with a preamble by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S3024)

  • HR. 9333 — AI Flaw Reporting and Security Enhancement Act

    Sponsor:
    Deborah K. Ross · Democratic · NC
    Latest action:
    Referred to the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology.

  • HR. 9334 — Workforce for AI Trust Act

    Sponsor:
    Zoe Lofgren · Democratic · CA
    Latest action:
    Referred to the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology.

  • S. 4822 — Saving the OOI Act of 2026

    Sponsor:
    Lisa Murkowski · Republican · AK
    Latest action:
    Held at the desk.

  • HR. 9318 — National Security Commission Quantum Computing Act of 2026

    Sponsor:
    Michael Lawler · Republican · NY
    Latest action:
    Referred to the Committee on Armed Services, and in addition to the Committees on Education and Workforce, Foreign Affairs, Science, Space, and Technology, and Energy and Commerce, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.

  • HR. 9307 — Web of Biological Data Act of 2026

    Sponsor:
    Matt Van Epps · Republican · TN
    Latest action:
    Referred to the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology.

  • S. 4770 — Web of Biological Data Act of 2026

    Sponsor:
    Todd Young · Republican · IN
    Latest action:
    Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.

  • HR. 9177 — Improving Mentorship in STEM Higher Education Act

    Sponsor:
    Jennifer L. McClellan · Democratic · VA
    Latest action:
    Referred to the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology.

Frequently asked

Who regulates AI in the United States?

Currently no single agency. The White House issued an Executive Order on AI safety in 2023, NIST has voluntary AI risk frameworks, the FTC enforces consumer protection, and various agencies have sector-specific authority. Comprehensive federal AI legislation has been proposed but not passed.