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Illustration: Brendan Lynch/Axios
Congress is finally back in session and there's plenty to get done in tech policy, but time is short.
Why it matters: Key areas like artificial intelligence and kids' safety online have made steady progress throughout the year, but many legislative efforts on tech could have a hard time reaching the finish line.
What they're saying: Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer would like to see a kids' online safety package passed and is seeking cooperation on AI, he said in a Dear Colleague letter published Sunday.
- "I am urging House Republicans to take up the Senate passed KOSA and COPPA 2.0 bill and send it to President Biden to sign into law," he wrote.
Here's what we're watching during Congress' three-week sprint:
Kids online privacy: Whether the Kids Online Safety Act and COPPA 2.0 make it to the president's desk is now up to the House Energy and Commerce Committee.
- The Senate on July 30 passed the Kids Online Safety and Privacy Act in a bipartisan 91-3 vote, and advocates have been urging Congress to get it done.
AI legislation: The House Science Committee on Wednesday is marking up 10 AI bills, including the CREATE AI Act to authorize the National Artificial Intelligence Research Resource.
- The Senate Commerce Committee approved the bill on July 31. The House Science markup signals the effort to move on this legislation this year is alive and kicking.
- We're also watching for the Senate's substitute NDAA amendment, which is likely to include a handful of AI bills.
- That's a far cry from any sort of comprehensive AI package like originally envisioned, but a ride on the annual defense policy bill is the likely route for AI legislation before the end of the year.
Spectrum: Senate Commerce Chair Maria Cantwell's Spectrum and National Security Act is still awaiting action.
- But key issues it addresses — rip and replace and Affordable Connectivity Program funding — did advance separately at a July 31 markup.
Quantum: The Senate has been slow-walking on reauthorizing the National Quantum Initiative, but we'll be watching for quantum policy in the NDAA.
- The reauthorization bill was reported out of House Science on July 25, setting the stage for floor action in the lower chamber.
Deepfakes: In the Senate Judiciary Committee, lawmakers are hoping to see the House take up the DEFIANCE Act, which would crack down on non-consensual AI pornography and create a federal civil right of action for people who are victims of intimate digital forgeries.
- The Senate passed the legislation by unanimous consent on July 23, and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez has introduced the bipartisan companion.
- Senate Judiciary Chair Dick Durbin is continuing to push for votes on his STOP CSAM Act, spokesperson Josh Sorbe said.
Funding fight ahead: Lawmakers are also facing a Sept. 30 deadline to fund the government.
- House Republicans are trying to pass a CR through March 28, but Democrats want a three-month spending bill to avert a shutdown.
- House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries called the Republicans' plan "unserious and unacceptable."
What's next: Congress leaves at the end of the month until after the election.
- Not only is there little time to get things passed, but lawmakers are fully in campaign mode.
