The U.S. Capitol is seen Thursday, July 13, 2023, in Washington, D.C. (Carlos Bongioanni/Stars and Stripes)
As the Senate ramps up its consideration of a sprawling defense bill this week, lawmakers are readying a flurry of bills on artificial intelligence, social media oversight and other prominent tech issues that they are hoping can hitch a ride.
The defense package is often one of the most effective ways for lawmakers to get their bills over the finish line on Capitol Hill, where efforts to move broader packages on data privacy, competition and AI have languished.
We sifted through hundreds of amendments and checked in with congressional aides, advocates and industry figures to find out what potential changes they are keeping tabs on as the Senate begins consideration of the bill. Here's what we found:
Schumer leads an early AI volley
Senate Majority Leader Charles E. Schumer (D-N.Y.) has touted the inclusion of several AI provisions in his manager's amendment, which is more likely to become law than most of the changes lawmakers have proposed. They include:
A provision requiring that federal financial regulators issue reports detailing how they are most frequently using AI and what regulatory issues may arise from the tool.
A wrinkle creating a bug bounty program for AI at the Defense Department that would incentivize people spotting potential issues with their use of the tool.
An amendment requiring the Defense Department to issue a report laying out ways to improve data sharing and interoperability in its use of AI.
Language requiring the department to coordinate with other federal agencies to conduct risk studies for the use of AI.
"We'll take our first steps of the year on AI legislation," Schumer said in a floor speech Wednesday.
More AI bills on tap
Sen. Michael F. Bennet (D-Colo.) is pushing to include his bill to create an AI task force to "assess the privacy, civil rights, and civil liberties implications" of the technology.
Sen. Mark R. Warner (D-Va.) is proposing requiring the Defense Department issue annual reports to Congress detailing how much it is investing in AI and how.
Sen. Jerry Moran (R-Kan.) has proposed directing agencies to implement the AI risk management framework issued by the National Institute of Standards and Technology.
Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) is calling for creating a joint U.S.-Israeli center to boost AI development to counter foreign countries "of concern" such as China and Iran.
Social media and TikTok on the clock
Lawmakers have floated including provisions targeting TikTok and other apps with links to countries like China, as well as measures aimed at tackling child sexual abuse material online and limiting social media companies' ability to moderate content.
Rubio and Sen. Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) have each introduced amendments mirroring their bills to ban TikTok for consumers throughout the United States.
Judiciary Chairman Richard J. Durbin (D-Ill.) has proposed tucking in his STOP CSAM Act, S.1199, which advanced unanimously out of committee in May. It would create a mechanism to let victims of child sexual abuse sue platforms that facilitate exploitation.
Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.) is calling for including language that would bar funding from the bill being used to "direct, coerce, or compel the content moderation decisions" by platforms aimed at "suppressing" speech or labeling it as "misinformation."
Sen. Kyrsten Sinema (I-Ariz.) is pushing to include her bill requiring the Department of Homeland Security to develop a strategy to stop drug cartels from using social media to recruit new members, which advanced out of committee in June.
Digital trade, STEM education and other miscellaneous bids
Lawmakers are looking to advance numerous other tech priorities as a part of the package, including on digital trade, STEM education and data privacy.
Sen. Todd C. Young (R-Ind.) has floated a nonbinding resolution stating that the United States should pursue digital trade deals that do not serve as "obstacles to a free and open internet and harm the ability of the e-commerce marketplace to continue to grow."
Sens. Ted Cruz (R-Tex.) is calling for the inclusion of his bipartisan bill requiring smart devices disclose when they feature cameras.
Sen. Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.) has proposed a provision to create STEM apprenticeship programs, and Durbin has called for including language exempting some visa requirements for STEM workers.
Sen. Tim Scott (R-S.C.) is pushing to include his bill requiring that app stores display the country of origin for products on their platforms, another bill taking aim at TikTok.
