Senate Rejects ACA Rule Disapproval 47-52, Unanimously Passes Deepfakes Civil Remedy, and Agrees to Proceed to Consolidated Appropriations Bill
The Senate convened to consider significant legislative matters, including a motion to proceed to a consolidated appropriations bill (H.R. 6938) and a joint resolution to disapprove a Trump administration rule affecting the Affordable Care Act (S.J. Res. 84). The motion to proceed to the appropriations bill was agreed to, setting the stage for future debate on federal spending priorities. However, a motion to proceed to S.J. Res. 84, which aimed to prevent an estimated 1.8 million Americans from losing health insurance coverage due to new administrative burdens, was rejected in a recorded vote of 47-52. In a rare display of bipartisan consensus, the Senate also unanimously passed S. 1837, the DEFIANCE Act, providing a civil remedy for victims of nonconsensual sexually explicit deepfakes.
This chamber-day was significant due to the advancement of the consolidated appropriations process, which dictates federal funding across numerous agencies and programs, and the Senate's vote on a healthcare rule with a stated impact on millions of Americans' insurance coverage. The unanimous passage of the DEFIANCE Act addresses a growing societal concern related to digital exploitation and sets a new legal precedent for victims. Debates also highlighted deep partisan divides on issues ranging from federal program fraud and housing policy to climate change and energy costs.
Providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services relating to ``Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act; Marketplace Integrity and Affordability''
S.J. Res. 84Question before the chamber
Motion to proceed to S.J. Res. 84.
The case for
Senator Warner argued that the Trump administration's rule would lead to 1.8 million Americans losing health insurance coverage due to increased paperwork, reduced enrollment periods, and higher premiums. He cited a constituent whose family premium nearly tripled. Senator Klobuchar shared stories of constituents facing unaffordable premium increases, including a single mother diagnosed with breast cancer. Senator Wyden stated the rule would increase out-of-pocket costs by nearly $1,000 and add 15 million hours of paperwork, creating barriers for working Americans. Senator Kaine emphasized the negative impact on self-employed entrepreneurs and gig workers who rely on the ACA marketplace.
The case against
Senator Cassidy argued that the resolution would eliminate 'commonsense measures for waste, fraud, and abuse' in ObamaCare and would raise insurance premiums by 5 percent. He cited examples of fraud in ACA exchanges, including a $233 million fraudulent enrollment scheme and $14 billion in duplicate enrollments, arguing that the rule aimed to fight these abuses.
Disposition
Motion to proceed · recorded vote
Motion rejected
Yeas 47, Nays 52
Who is affected
- 1.8 million Americans: Estimated to lose health insurance coverage if the rule takes effect due to increased administrative burdens and higher premiums.
- Families and individuals purchasing insurance on the ACA Marketplace: Face higher premiums (e.g., $800-$1,000 per month increases) and increased paperwork, making coverage less affordable and accessible.
- Self-employed entrepreneurs and gig workers: Will find it harder to navigate the marketplace and afford insurance due to new burdens, potentially hindering their ability to pursue independent work.
- Taxpayers: Opponents argued the resolution would allow continued waste, fraud, and abuse of federal funds in healthcare programs.
Disrupt Explicit Forged Images And Non-Consensual Edits Act of 2025
S. 1837Question before the chamber
Passage of S. 1837.
The case for
Senator Durbin argued that the DEFIANCE Act is bipartisan legislation that provides a crucial civil legal remedy for victims of nonconsensual, sexually explicit deepfakes. He highlighted the profound harms to victims, including threats to employment, education, reputation, and mental health, and the lack of current legal recourse. He noted the rapid increase in deepfake content, citing a 900 percent rise in pornographic deepfake videos since 2019 and a significant increase in AI-generated child sexual abuse images. He also mentioned that social media platforms like X have failed to remove such exploitative images even after being notified.
The case against
No opposition was aired in the Record.
Disposition
Passed · unanimous consent
Bill passed
Who is affected
- Victims of nonconsensual sexually explicit deepfakes: Gain a civil legal remedy to pursue justice against those who produce, disclose, solicit, or possess such images without consent, potentially recovering damages and obtaining injunctive relief.
- Social media platforms and individuals who create/distribute deepfakes: Face potential civil liability for knowingly or recklessly disregarding consent in the creation or dissemination of intimate digital forgeries.
- General public, especially young people: Increased protection against digital exploitation and image-based sexual abuse.
Commerce, Justice, Science; Energy and Water Development; and Interior and Environment Appropriations Act, 2026
H.R. 6938Question before the chamber
Motion to proceed to H.R. 6938.
The case for
Senator Kennedy, as chair of the Energy and Water Development Subcommittee, stated the bill is fiscally responsible with a 2.8 percent overall reduction in spending compared to the current budget. He highlighted a 2.7 percent increase in defense spending for nuclear weapons development and sustainment, a 3.8 percent cut in non-defense spending (targeting 'Green New Deal' provisions), a 19 percent increase ($1.7 billion) for the Corps of Engineers, and doubled funding for the Strategic Petroleum Reserve. Senator Murkowski, chair of the Interior and Environment Subcommittee, noted her bill cut $1.9 billion (4.7 percent) while prioritizing wildland fire management, hazardous fuels removal, national parks, and robust funding for Bureau of Indian Affairs and Indian Health Service, and addressing invasive species and natural hazards.
The case against
No specific opposition to the motion to proceed to H.R. 6938 was aired in the Record. However, Senator Thune offered several procedural amendments, indicating potential areas of contention related to the bill's effective date.
Disposition
Motion to proceed · without objection
Motion agreed to
Amendments
- Amendment to make the Act take effect 1 day after enactment. (Mr. Thune) — Ordered to lie on the table
- Second-degree amendment to make the Act take effect 2 days after enactment (to amendment No. 4208). (Mr. Thune) — Ordered to lie on the table
- Motion to commit the bill to the Committee on Appropriations with instructions to report back forthwith with an amendment to make the Act take effect 5 days after enactment. (Mr. Thune) — Ordered to lie on the table
- Amendment to the instructions of the motion to commit, to make the Act take effect 6 days after enactment (to amendment No. 4210). (Mr. Thune) — Ordered to lie on the table
- Second-degree amendment to amendment No. 4211, to make the Act take effect 7 days after enactment (to amendment No. 4211). (Mr. Thune) — Ordered to lie on the table
Who is affected
- Federal agencies and programs: Funding levels and priorities for Commerce, Justice, Science, Energy and Water Development, and Interior and Environment are set for FY2026, impacting operations and initiatives.
- Defense sector: Increased funding for nuclear weapons development, sustainment, and stockpile testing.
- Green energy initiatives: Reduced funding in the Energy and Water bill, reflecting a shift in spending priorities.
- Corps of Engineers: Substantially increased funding for projects, including water infrastructure and flood control.
- Communities across the country: Impacted by funding for clean water, public lands management, wildfire preparedness, and natural hazard mitigation.
- Native peoples: Robust funding for the Bureau of Indian Affairs and Indian Health Service, addressing health, safety, and justice initiatives.
Senate Rejects Disapproval of ACA Rule
highA motion to proceed to S.J. Res. 84, which sought to disapprove a Trump administration rule impacting the Affordable Care Act Marketplace, was rejected by a recorded vote of 47-52. Proponents argued that the rule would lead to 1.8 million Americans losing health insurance and increase costs, while opponents countered that the resolution would hinder efforts to combat fraud in ACA exchanges and would raise premiums.
DEFIANCE Act Unanimously Passes Senate
mediumS. 1837, the Disrupt Explicit Forged Images And Non-Consensual Edits Act of 2025, passed the Senate by unanimous consent. Introduced by Senator Durbin with bipartisan support, the bill creates a civil legal remedy for victims of nonconsensual sexually explicit deepfakes, addressing a gap in existing law. No opposition was voiced on the floor.
Senate Agrees to Proceed to Consolidated Appropriations Bill
highThe Senate agreed to the motion to proceed to H.R. 6938, the Commerce, Justice, Science; Energy and Water Development; and Interior and Environment Appropriations Act, 2026, advancing the legislative process for federal funding. Proponents highlighted fiscal responsibility, increased defense spending, and cuts to non-defense programs.
Extensive Debate on Federal Program Fraud and Energy Policy
mediumSenators engaged in significant floor debate on alleged widespread fraud in Minnesota's federally funded programs, with Senators Barrasso and Tuberville criticizing Democratic leadership. Separately, Senators Whitehouse, Schatz, and Marshall debated the scientific consensus on climate change and the economic implications of clean energy versus fossil fuels, with Whitehouse and Schatz criticizing Trump administration policies for raising energy costs.