Today marks an exciting new chapter in the world of technology and legislation. Nextgov/FCW is launching a weekly roundup titled “Tech Bills of the Week,” focused on the surge of artificial intelligence (AI) and tech-oriented legislation springing up in Congress. With the evolving landscape of technology, the newsroom aims to distill essential proposals into a digestible format for those who want to stay informed about significant developments in tech policy.
In this inaugural edition, three newly introduced legislative measures capture attention: a proposal to establish civil rights offices in federal agencies to tackle AI bias, a bill aiming to regulate ICE’s use of biometric scanning technologies, and another that seeks to enhance veterans’ access to emerging technology education programs.
Creating Civil Rights Offices in Federal Agencies to Manage AI Use
The first initiative comes from congressional Democrats who are reviving efforts to mandate the establishment of civil rights offices within federal agencies that utilize AI technologies. This legislation, led by Sen. Ed Markey from Massachusetts and Rep. Summer Lee from Pennsylvania, aims to address the pressing concerns around algorithmic biases and discrimination that often accompany the deployment of AI tools.
Markey previously introduced this Senate measure in December 2023, with Lee following up with a companion bill in the House in November 2024. As Markey stated, “From housing to health care to public services, AI is increasingly used to make consequential decisions, diagnoses, recommendations, and predictions that can significantly alter our lives.” He emphasized that as the risks of bias and discrimination in AI become evident, the federal government must lead by example in protecting marginalized communities.
Contrastingly, the White House under the Trump administration had a different approach concerning AI biases. In December, agencies were instructed to ensure their AI tools do not enforce “ideological dogmas,” following an executive order by President Trump aimed to curtail the use of what he termed “woke AI.” This dichotomy highlights the complexities and challenges that come with regulating technology in a politically charged environment.
Expanding Veterans’ Education Training Program to Include Emerging Tech
Next is a proposal from Rep. Abe Hamadeh of Arizona, focused on enhancing vocational training for veterans. His legislation seeks to include emerging technologies—such as AI—within the framework of the Veteran Employment Through Technology Education Courses (VET TEC) program. Initially reauthorized in January 2025 under President Biden, this program has proven beneficial, providing around 4,000 eligible veterans annually with financial assistance for technology-focused training without using their GI Bill benefits.
Hamadeh’s proposal aims to facilitate the identification of emerging technology career fields for veterans, expediting the approval process for specific training opportunities. As Hamadeh noted, “This bill will go far to eliminate the excuse used by high-tech companies that veterans are not qualified to do the work,” reinforcing that veterans have rightfully earned these educational benefits.
Curtailing ICE’s Use of Facial Recognition Verification Tools
The third significant measure originates from Rep. Bennie Thompson, the top Democrat on the House Homeland Security Committee, who is advocating for restrictions on the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agency’s use of facial recognition technologies. This bill directly addresses the agency’s use of the Mobile Fortify app and similar tools to confirm individuals’ identities and citizenship statuses through biometric data.
Thompson’s legislation seeks to confine the usage of these biometric verification tools solely to U.S. ports of entry while emphasizing the protection of privacy rights. It stipulates that any collected biometric data must be destroyed within 12 hours. As Thompson articulated, “ICE’s use of Mobile Fortify to determine a person’s legal status is an outrageous affront to the civil rights and civil liberties of U.S. citizens and immigrants alike. It is time to put an end to its widespread use.”
These legislative efforts demonstrate a growing recognition of the need to regulate the burgeoning intersection of technology and civil rights. Each bill represents a critical step toward addressing the ethical implications of emerging tech, while concurrently protecting vulnerable populations. The weekly roundup will continue to keep us informed on these and other important tech-related initiatives unfolding in Congress.
