Review – Bills Introduced – 3-12-26

Yesterday, with just the Senate in Washington and the House meeting in pro forma session, there were 83 bills introduced. Five of those bills will receive additional coverage in this blog:

 

HR 7294 Trucking Security and CCP Disclosure Act of 2026 Stefanik, Elise M. [Rep.-R-NY-21]

S 4073 A bill making continuing appropriations for essential Transportation Security Administration pay and operations during the lapse in appropriations beginning on February 14, 2026, and for other purposes. Rosen, Jacky [Sen.-D-NV] 

S 4074 A bill to make continuing appropriations for essential Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency pay and operations in the event of a Federal Government shutdown, and for other purposes. Peters, Gary C. [Sen.-D-MI]

S 4075 A bill to make continuing appropriations for Federal Emergency Management Agency pay and operations in the event of a Federal Government shutdown, and for other purposes. Padilla, Alex [Sen.-D-CA]

S 4077 A bill to ensure secure transport of Department of Defense freight, and for other purposes. Cotton, Tom [Sen.-R-AR]

 

For more information on these bills, including legislative history for similar bills in the 118^th Congress, see my article at CFSN Detailed Analysis - https://patrickcoyle.substack.com/p/bills-introduced-3-12-26 - subscription required.

Review – HR 7294 Introduced – AI for Secure Networks

Last month Rep Menendez (D,NJ) introduced HR 7294, the AI for Secure Networks Act. The bill would require the Department of Commerce to conduct a study on the impact of artificial intelligence technology with respect to the security of telecommunications networks. No new funding is authorized by this bill.

A press release from the office  of Menendez notes that:

“While artificial intelligence has unfortunately given our adversaries powerful new tools to launch mass cyberattacks against critical infrastructure, AI can, and should, also be used to harden and defend those same systems. That’s why I’m proud to lead the bipartisan, common-sense AI for Secure Networks Act to harness AI to strengthen real-time threat detection, boost resiliency and interoperability, and make our next-generation networks more secure and efficient. The threat is real, and the United States must act now to secure our networks for the future.”

Moving Forward

Menendez, and his three cosponsors {Rep Pfluger (R,TX), Rep McClellan (D,NJ), and Rep Landsman (D,OH)}, are all members of the House Energy and Commerce Committee to which this bill was assigned for consideration. This means that there could be sufficient influence to see the bill considered in the Committee. I see nothing in the legislation that would engender any organized opposition. I suspect that there would be significant bipartisan support for the bill. Whether there would be sufficient support for the bill to be considered by the full House under the suspension of the rules process.

 

For more information on the provisions of this bill, as well as commentary on the reason for such reports from the Executive Branch, see my article at CFSN Detailed Analysis - https://patrickcoyle.substack.com/p/hr-7294-introduced-ai-for-secure - subscription required.

Review – Bills Introduced – 1-30-26

Yesterday, with just the Senate in Washington and the House meeting in pro forma session, there were 43 bills introduced. Two of the bills may receive additional coverage in this blog:

HR 7285 To amend the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to authorize the use of certain financial assistance for vehicle security enhancement upgrades, and for other purposes. Gonzales, Tony [Rep.-R-TX-23] 

HR 7294 To study the impacts of artificial intelligence technology with respect to the security of telecommunications networks, and for other purposes. Menendez, Robert [Rep.-D-NJ-8] 

Space Geek Legislation

I would like to mention one bill under my limited Space Geek coverage in this blog:

HR 7273 NASA Reauthorization Act of 2026.  Babin, Brian [Rep.-R-TX-36]

 

For more information on these bills, including legislative history for similar bills in the 118^th Congress, see my article at CFSN Detailed Analysis - https://patrickcoyle.substack.com/p/bills-introduced-1-30-26 - subscription required.