House Passes Kids Internet and Digital Safety Act with New Online Protections for Minors, Reauthorizes Terrorism Risk Insurance Program, and Debates Lebanon War Powers Resolution
The House convened for a major legislative day, passing several bills under suspension of the rules, including the comprehensive Kids Internet and Digital Safety Act (H.R. 7757) and the TRIA Program Reauthorization Act of 2026 (H.R. 7128). The KIDS Act aims to protect children and teens online by mandating safeguards for social media, gaming platforms, and AI chatbots, while also modernizing privacy protections. The TRIA reauthorization extends a critical federal backstop for terrorism risk insurance. The House also debated a War Powers Resolution (H. Con. Res. 108) concerning the removal of U.S. Armed Forces from hostilities in Lebanon, with a vote postponed.
This chamber-day is significant due to the passage of H.R. 7757, which represents a substantial legislative effort to regulate online platforms and protect minors, impacting a wide range of technology companies and millions of American families. The reauthorization of TRIA (H.R. 7128) provides long-term stability for the commercial real estate and insurance markets. The debate on H. Con. Res. 108 highlights ongoing congressional efforts to assert authority over military engagements and raises critical questions about U.S. involvement in regional conflicts.
Kids Internet and Digital Safety Act
H.R. 7757Question before the chamber
Passage of H.R. 7757, a comprehensive bill to protect children and teens online, empower parents, and strengthen families by regulating online platforms, gaming, and AI chatbots, and updating privacy laws.
The case for
Proponents argued that the bill is a comprehensive and long-overdue step to address real harms faced by minors online, including sexual exploitation, drug abuse, and content fueling anxiety and depression. They emphasized that the bill mandates safeguards, parental tools, and policies across social media, video games, and chatbots, and modernizes privacy protections by extending them to teens and banning targeted advertising. Speakers highlighted the need to hold Big Tech accountable for prioritizing engagement and profit over safety, and noted the bill's bipartisan nature as a significant step forward.
The case against
Opposition was voiced by 117 members, though specific arguments against the bill were not extensively aired during the debate. However, the bill's rules of construction explicitly state that nothing in the subtitle may be construed to require age gating or age verification functionality, or to override encryption protections, suggesting potential concerns about these aspects were addressed in the bill's drafting.
Disposition
passed · recorded vote
H.R. 7757 passed the House of Representatives, as amended.
267-117
Who is affected
- Minors (children under 13 and teens aged 13-16): Will receive enhanced online safety safeguards, including limits on addictive design features, restrictions on geolocation sharing, controls over personalized recommendation systems, and protections against harmful content. Their personal information will be subject to stricter privacy rules, including a ban on targeted advertising and requirements for parental consent or teen verifiable consent for data collection.
- Parents and legal guardians: Will gain stronger tools to monitor and manage their children's online experiences, including viewing and managing privacy settings, restricting purchases, limiting screen time, and receiving notifications about messaging requests. They will also receive clear notices about platform policies and available tools.
- Online platforms (social media, gaming, AI chatbots): Will be required to establish, implement, and enforce reasonable policies, practices, and procedures to address harms to minors, provide specific safeguards and parental tools, and conduct annual independent audits. They will face restrictions on market research on minors and targeted advertising to minors. Providers of covered platforms with sexual material harmful to minors will be required to adopt and utilize technology verification measures to identify and prevent minors from accessing such content.
- Data brokers: Those selling personal data of minors will be required to register with the FTC and pay an annual fee, increasing transparency in their operations.
- Taxpayers: Will fund the establishment of a National Recovery Coordinator and Task Force to recover fraudulent COVID-era unemployment benefits, and various studies and educational resources related to online safety and AI.
TRIA Program Reauthorization Act of 2026
H.R. 7128Question before the chamber
Passage of H.R. 7128, a bill to extend the Terrorism Risk Insurance Program through 2034 and make improvements to its certification process.
The case for
Proponents argued that TRIA is essential for maintaining the availability and affordability of terrorism risk insurance, which is critical for the commercial real estate market and broader economic stability. They highlighted that the program, established after 9/11, provides a federal backstop for catastrophic losses that private insurers cannot adequately cover alone. The bill's changes, including increasing the loss threshold and adding deadlines for Treasury's certification process, were presented as modest improvements to enhance transparency and protect taxpayers, ensuring market certainty well in advance of the program's expiration.
The case against
Representative Rose argued that TRIA was intended to be a 'temporary federal program' and that its long-term reauthorization without significant reforms violates this intent. He contended that the private insurance market has thrived under the federal guarantee, collecting billions in premiums without the program ever being triggered, effectively privatizing gains and socializing risk. He proposed amendments to reduce the federal cost share, raise and index the program trigger, shorten the reauthorization period, and require Treasury to study participation fees to shift more risk onto the insurance industry.
Disposition
passed · recorded vote
H.R. 7128 passed the House of Representatives, as amended.
373-15
Who is affected
- Commercial real estate sector and businesses: Will continue to have access to terrorism risk insurance, which is often a prerequisite for financing, supporting transactions, construction, and jobs. This provides stability and confidence in managing terrorism-related risks.
- Private insurance industry: Will continue to operate with a federal backstop for catastrophic terrorism losses, ensuring the availability of coverage while the private sector remains the principal bearer of risk up to certain thresholds.
- Taxpayers: Will continue to provide a federal backstop for terrorism risk, with increased protection through a higher loss threshold for claims, but also continued exposure to potential massive losses in the event of a certified act of terrorism.
- Department of the Treasury: Will have clearer deadlines and transparency requirements for certifying acts of terrorism, improving the efficiency and predictability of the program's administration.
Directing the President pursuant to section 5(c) of the War Powers Resolution to remove United States Armed Forces from hostilities in Lebanon
H. Con. Res. 108Question before the chamber
Adoption of H. Con. Res. 108, a concurrent resolution directing the President to remove U.S. Armed Forces from hostilities in Lebanon.
The case for
Proponents argued that the resolution is a critical assertion of Congress' constitutional authority over war and peace, preventing the U.S. from being drawn into another 'illegal, reckless, and counterproductive war' in the Middle East. They cited the ongoing violence in Lebanon, the high civilian casualties, and Israeli threats of mass extermination, asserting that the U.S. is an 'active participant' through intelligence and operational support. They called for an end to unauthorized U.S. participation in the destruction of Lebanon and to the broader war with Iran, which they claimed causes economic suffering at home.
The case against
Opponents argued that the resolution is 'ridiculous' and 'impossible to implement' because, to their knowledge, U.S. forces are not currently engaged in hostilities or combat operations in Lebanon. They stated that U.S. personnel are primarily engaged in training the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) and providing intelligence, which they believe supports Lebanon's stability and Israel's efforts against Hezbollah, a designated foreign terrorist organization responsible for killing hundreds of Americans and targeting Israeli civilians. Opponents contended that the resolution would 'embolden Hezbollah' and undermine peace efforts between Israel and Lebanon.
Disposition
vote postponed · recorded vote
The vote on H. Con. Res. 108 was postponed.
Who is affected
- United States Armed Forces personnel: The resolution, if adopted and implemented, would direct their removal from any hostilities in Lebanon, potentially altering their mission or presence in the region.
- Lebanese civilians: Proponents argued the resolution would prevent further U.S.-assisted violence and destruction, while opponents suggested it could embolden Hezbollah, potentially leading to more conflict and civilian harm.
- Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF): The resolution includes a rule of construction to not prevent security cooperation with the LAF, indicating a continued U.S. role in training and support, which is seen as critical for Lebanon's stability.
- Israeli civilians: Opponents argued that the resolution could embolden Hezbollah, increasing threats to Israeli civilians who are frequently targeted by the terrorist group.
- U.S. taxpayers: Proponents argued the resolution would prevent the use of taxpayer dollars to fuel 'endless war' and destruction in the Middle East.
House Passes Comprehensive Kids Internet and Digital Safety Act (H.R. 7757)
highThe House passed H.R. 7757, the Kids Internet and Digital Safety Act, a bipartisan package aimed at protecting children and teens online. The bill incorporates multiple legislative priorities, including provisions from the SCREEN Act (Title I), Kids Online Safety Act (Subtitle A of Title II), Stop Profiling Youth and Kids Act (Subtitle B of Title II), Safer GAMING Act (Title III), SAFE BOTs Act (Title IV), COPPA 2.0 (Subtitle A of Title VI), and Data Broker Disclosures (Subtitle B of Title VI). The legislation mandates safeguards for minors on online platforms, provides parental tools, establishes rules for AI chatbots and social gaming, and modernizes children's online privacy protections. It passed by a recorded vote of 267-117.
Terrorism Risk Insurance Program Reauthorized Through 2034 (H.R. 7128)
highThe House voted to reauthorize the Terrorism Risk Insurance Program (TRIA) through 2034, extending a federal backstop for terrorism risk insurance that was established after the September 11, 2001, attacks. The bill, H.R. 7128, also increases the loss threshold for an event to be eligible for Treasury review from $5 million to $10 million (starting in 2029) and establishes deadlines for the Department of the Treasury to certify an act of terror. The measure passed by a recorded vote of 373-15.
Debate on War Powers Resolution for Lebanon (H. Con. Res. 108) Postponed
highThe House debated H. Con. Res. 108, a War Powers Resolution directing the President to remove U.S. Armed Forces from hostilities in Lebanon. Proponents argued the resolution reasserts congressional authority over war and peace and prevents U.S. involvement in an unauthorized conflict, while opponents contended that no U.S. forces are currently engaged in hostilities in Lebanon and the resolution would embolden terrorist organizations like Hezbollah. The vote on the resolution was postponed.
Several Energy and Cybersecurity Bills Passed Under Suspension
mediumThe House passed four bills related to energy security and cybersecurity under suspension of the rules. These included the Securing Community Upgrades for a Resilient Grid Act (H.R. 7257), the Energy Emergency Leadership Act (H.R. 7258), the Rural and Municipal Utility Cybersecurity Act (H.R. 7266), and the Energy Threat Analysis Center Act of 2026 (H.R. 7305). These measures aim to enhance State energy security plans, clarify DOE's emergency response leadership, reauthorize cybersecurity grants for rural utilities, and strengthen energy sector threat analysis.
Notice of Intent to Offer a Resolution Raising a Question of the Privileges of the House
mediumMr. Massie gave notice of his intent to offer a resolution raising a question of the privileges of the House. The proposed resolution directs the Committee on Ethics to preserve and publicly release records relating to monetary settlements involving acts of sexual harassment by Members, Delegates, or Resident Commissioners, including the names of those involved and the amounts of taxpayer funds paid.