Lori Trahan

Trahan, Obernolte Unveil Federal AI Framework Discussion Draft

Position: The release announces a bipartisan discussion draft of the Great American AI Act, which proposes a federal framework for AI governance designed to protect workers and establish accountability for frontier AI systems while promoting innovation and U.S. global competitiveness.

Today, Congresswoman Lori Trahan (D-MA-03) and Congressman Jay Obernolte (R-CA-23), members of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, released a discussion draft of the Great American AI Act, bipartisan legislation to create a federal framework for how the United States governs artificial intelligence. The discussion draft was released with Representatives Suhas Subramanyam (D-VA-10), Scott Franklin (R-FL-18), Scott Peters (D-CA-50), and Erin Houchin (R-IN-09). “The threats AI poses to our national security, our safety, and our workforce are here and growing by the day. This bipartisan framework is designed to meet the challenges posed by this rapidly advancing technology without smothering American innovation. It protects workers, establishes real accountability for the most powerful frontier systems, and positions the United States to set the global standard on AI,” said Congresswoman Trahan. “This discussion draft is the product of ongoing bipartisan conversations, which we hope to build upon with input from workers, researchers, stakeholders, and members of the public, all of whom have an interest in getting this right.” “Artificial intelligence is advancing rapidly, which is why Congress must take a thoughtful and bipartisan approach to regulating this critical technology,” said Congressman Jay Obernolte (CA-23). “This discussion draft is an important step toward building a clear federal framework that promotes innovation, protects Americans from emerging risks, and ensures the United States continues to lead the world in AI. We are releasing this draft to hear from stakeholders, experts, and the public so we can strengthen the legislation before it is formally introduced.” The discussion draft is intended to solicit feedback from stakeholders, experts, and the public before the bill is formally introduced. It is the result of bipartisan collaboration between the two members to ensure the United States can govern AI effectively, protect Americans from emerging risks, and continue to lead the world in AI innovation. Stakeholders, researchers, and members of the public are encouraged to submit feedback on the discussion draft to GAAIA@mail.house.gov. “AI is already changing how we work, live, and learn. We need a plan to protect our national security and workforce. I want the United States to continue to be a leader in AI race but develop this technology in a responsible manner that protects people and communities. To do so, we must get a bipartisan conversation started and work faster to address the challenges and opportunities presented by AI,” said Congressman Subramanyam. “Artificial intelligence is already transforming our economy, our national security and the way Americans live and work,” said Congressman Franklin. “Congress has a responsibility to establish clear rules of the road that encourage innovation while ensuring this technology is developed responsibly. The Great American AI Act builds on the bipartisan House AI Task Force and represents an important step toward greater transparency and accountability for advanced AI systems. This discussion draft will help gather feedback from relevant stakeholders as we work toward a practical legislative framework that keeps America at the forefront of AI innovation. I've already begun laying the groundwork through efforts like securing additional funding for the Center for AI Standards and Innovation through the FY27 Appropriations process, ensuring the federal government has the tools and expertise needed to keep pace with this rapidly evolving technology. I appreciate Policy Chair Obernolte's leadership and look forward to introducing this bill in the House.” “I am thankful to Rep. Trahan and Rep. Obernolte for their leadership on this critical issue,” said Congressman Peters. “This discussion draft will not address all of the issues our businesses and families will face, but it is an encouraging first step toward the bipartisan legislation needed to keep pace with the rapid advancement of AI. I really want to hear how the people affected feel about it.” “America should lead the world in artificial intelligence, not regulate ourselves into falling behind China through a patchwork of fifty different state laws,” said Congresswoman Houchin. “That approach would make it harder for American companies to innovate and compete while doing little to improve consumer protections. This bill creates a clear national standard for how AI models are developed while preserving the ability of states and parents to protect children. It strikes the right balance between innovation and consumer protection and ensures Congress remains engaged as this technology continues to evolve.” Text of the discussion draft can be accessed HERE. A section-by-section summary can be accessed HERE. A frequently asked questions document prepared by the Office of Congresswoman Lori Trahan can be accessed HERE. Stakeholders, researchers, and members of the public are encouraged to submit feedback on the discussion draft to GAAIA@mail.house.gov.

Trahan: Congress Must Act Now on AI

Position: Congress should establish federal safety and transparency requirements for frontier AI systems before deployment, including mandatory testing, independent auditing, and federal oversight authority, while preserving state authority to address AI-driven discrimination and deception.

This weekend, Congresswoman Lori Trahan (MA-03), a member of the House Energy and Commerce Committee penned an op-ed in CommonWealth Beacon making the case that Congress cannot afford to wait for a crisis before establishing guardrails on the most powerful AI systems, drawing a direct line from the manufacturing jobs that vanished from the Merrimack Valley she represents to the disruption AI now threatens to unleash on America’s workers, national security, and cyber infrastructure. “After decades of offshoring and automation hollowing out American manufacturing, the workers left behind in Haverhill didn’t need a study to tell them what was coming. They needed Congress to act years before they got handed pink slips,” Congresswoman Trahan wrote. “On artificial intelligence, we still have a chance to move before similar damage is done, but that window is closing faster than most people realize.” Trahan points to Anthropic's Mythos model, which was deemed too dangerous for public release after it proved capable of identifying thousands of vulnerabilities across major operating systems and browsers. Despite warning signs like these, she notes, there is no federal law governing how the most powerful AI systems are built, tested, or deployed, no independent auditing of frontier labs' safety claims, and no federal agency with clear authority to step in to prevent a catastrophic event. She goes on to describe what a potential bipartisan federal framework can and should include: Trahan also addresses the federalism question head-on, arguing that serious governance concentrates oversight at the frontier and elevates the strongest state provisions into a federal standard focused on model development, while explicitly preserving states' ability to protect residents from AI systems that discriminate, deceive, or endanger. “I cannot go back to Haverhill, look a worker, a parent, or a recent graduate in the eyes, and tell them that we saw what was coming and decided to wait for a more opportune moment,” Congresswoman Trahan continued. “Congress must act for the workers, the families, and the communities that cannot afford for us to get this wrong. Again.” The full op-ed is available at CommonWealth Beacon: https://commonwealthbeacon.org/opinion/congress-must-act-now-on-ai/

Congress must act now on AI

Position: Congress should establish a federal regulatory framework for frontier AI systems, including mandatory safety testing, independent auditing, and clear federal agency authority to oversee development and deployment of powerful AI models.

Opinion: Congress must act now on AI When Brooks Brothers shut down its longtime clothing factory in Haverhill in 2020, it didn’t just close a building. It ended careers that workers had spent decades building and sent a familiar shudder through Merrimack Valley communities like Lowell and Lawrence that know all too well what boarded up mill buildings leave behind. The company cited costs. To them, the math was simple, even if here at home, we knew the human toll was not. After decades of offshoring and automation hollowing out American manufacturing, the workers left behind in Haverhill didn’t need a study to tell them what was coming. They needed Congress to act years before they got handed pink slips. On artificial intelligence, we still have a chance to move before similar damage is done, but that window is closing faster than most people realize. Earlier this year, Anthropic unveiled Mythos, an AI model capable of identifying thousands of vulnerabilities across every major operating system and web browser. It was deemed too dangerous for public release, but that has not stopped competitors from racing to catch up, or our adversaries from trying to access it. The speed of AI development means Mythos represents a floor on what these systems can do. The models will only get more powerful, and the risks to America’s workers, national security, and cyber infrastructure will only grow. Despite these flashing warning lights, there is no federal law on the books governing how the most powerful AI systems in the world are built, tested, or deployed. No independent auditors verify the safety claims of the largest AI companies, commonly referred to as “frontier” labs. No federal agency has clear authority to step in when something goes wrong. While some have argued there is still plenty of time for Congress to act, I would say, look around. New and recent college graduates are struggling to find work in their fields, facing higher unemployment rates than the broader workforce. Across the economy, workers are asking the same hard questions. Will the job they do today exist in five years? Will the prosperity this technology generates reach them or bypass them entirely, just like the promises of globalization did? At the same time, our adversaries are racing to build and deploy AI systems capable of undermining our military advantage, penetrating our critical infrastructure, and eroding the democratic institutions that define us. After Mythos, I went to work trying to change that. I entered negotiations with my Republican colleague on the House Energy and Commerce Committee, Congressman Jay Obernolte of California, to build a bipartisan federal AI framework. Those talks have been hard and remain unfinished, but they have made something clear: The basic architecture of serious AI governance is within reach. There is more bipartisan agreement on the fundamentals than people might expect. Here is where that consensus lives. First, real accountability at the frontier. The largest AI companies should be required to publish and comply with safety and security frameworks. They should have to submit to third-party audits to show their work, and federal and state regulators should be empowered to enforce and update those requirements as the technology evolves. The most powerful labs also should not be allowed to silence whistleblowers who want to expose wrongdoing. The companies building models that could reshape our future should not be operating on the honor system. Third, protect American workers. The lesson from Haverhill is that job training after the fact is not a policy. What workers need is a real-time picture of how AI is reshaping the labor market so Congress can get ahead of disruptions rather than respond years too late. When AI is the reason workers get pink slips, employers should have to say so. Updating WARN Act requirements would mandate disclosures when AI drives a mass layoff, so we stop pretending that decisions like the one Brooks Brothers made happen in a vacuum. We need a framework built on the belief that the workers who built this economy deserve to lead in the next one. Finally, shore up our cyber defenses. AI is only as secure as the open-source software it is built on, and right now the developers maintaining that code are largely on their own. Funding should be allocated for open-source maintainers, and frontier AI developers should be required to give them access to their models for security work. And the information sharing framework that lets companies flag threats to each other without antitrust risk must be reauthorized so a threat one company sees today cannot become a breach across the entire sector tomorrow. Since entering these negotiations, I have heard many arguments about why Congress should wait to act. Some say the market will sort it out. We heard that about financial derivatives and social media, and the American people are still paying the price. Others counter that states are doing good work and the federal government should stand back. They are right that states have shown real leadership, but the best of that work can and should inform a federal framework. Serious governance concentrates oversight at the frontier. It elevates the strongest provisions from the states – our laboratories of democracy – to create a federal standard, focused on model development, while explicitly preserving states’ ability to protect residents from AI systems that discriminate, deceive, or endanger. The Democratic leaders on Beacon Hill who have reached out to me about this work understand what is at stake for Massachusetts residents, and this framework is designed with them in mind. I cannot go back to Haverhill, look a worker, a parent, or a recent graduate in the eyes, and tell them that we saw what was coming and decided to wait for a more opportune moment. Congress must act for the workers, the families, and the communities that cannot afford for us to get this wrong. Again.

Trahan Introduces Bipartisan Campus Lifeline Act

Position: The release advocates for the Campus Lifeline Act, which expands awareness and access to the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline for students and young adults by allowing the number to be printed on driver's licenses and student IDs, and by strengthening campus mental health grant programs.

Yesterday, Congresswoman Lori Trahan (D-MA-03) led the bipartisan introduction of the Campus Lifeline Act of 2026, legislation aiming to expand awareness and access to the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline for students and young adults. Trahan was joined by Representatives Erin Houchin (R-IN-09), David Valadao (R-CA-22), and Mark Pocan (D-WI-02). “Every young person deserves access to compassionate, lifesaving mental health care when they need it most,” said Congresswoman Trahan. “I was proud to lead the Garrett Lee Smith Reauthorization Act to strengthen and expand suicide prevention programs for young people, and this bipartisan legislation builds on that work by increasing awareness of and access to these vital services. By leveraging the reach of the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, we can connect more teens and young adults with the support they need, ensure they know help is available, and reach more young people before a crisis becomes a tragedy.” In 2023, 40 percent of high school students reported feeling persistently sad or hopeless, and nearly one in ten attempted suicide, yet awareness of the 988 Lifeline remains low among teens and young adults. The Campus Lifeline Act clarifies that the 988 Lifeline can be printed on driver’s licenses and student identification cards, helping ensure young people have immediate access to critical resources. The bill also strengthens campus mental health efforts by allowing Garrett Lee Smith grants to support student-led early intervention and outreach. “We have a responsibility to make sure young people know where to turn in a moment of crisis,” said Congresswoman Houchin. “During Youth Mental Health Awareness Week, I’m proud to introduce the Campus Lifeline Act to expand access to the 988 Lifeline and strengthen support on campuses. This bill promotes early intervention, student engagement, and life-saving mental health resources. It’s our goal to make sure every young person knows help is available.” “Young adults are facing a growing mental health crisis, but too many still don’t know where to turn for help,” said Congressman Valadao. “While California law requires the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline be printed on student ID cards, access to this lifesaving resource shouldn’t depend on your zip code. By expanding existing Garrett Lee Smith (GLS) Memorial Grants and ensuring 988 is added to new IDs nationwide, we can raise awareness for mental health care, connect more people to support, and help prevent tragedies before they happen.” “The 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline has saved lives. There’s no question about it,” said Congressman Pocan. “The more awareness we can raise about 988, especially among our young people, the better. I’m glad to help lead this effort with Reps. Houchin, Trahan, and Valadao.” As a Co-Chair of the Bipartisan Mental Health and Substance Use Disorder Task Force, Trahan has emerged as a leader in Congress in advancing bipartisan solutions to the addiction and mental health crises affecting millions of Americans. She introduced and passed the Garrett Lee Smith Memorial Reauthorization Act to strengthen community-based youth and young adult suicide prevention efforts that were set to go offline. Earlier this year, she successfully led a bipartisan group of 100 House members demanding the Trump administration reverse its decision to terminate thousands of Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration grants that fund local mental health and addiction prevention, treatment, and recovery programs across the country. “Youth-informed policy is not only powerful, it’s necessary. The best policies and laws are shaped by those with firsthand experience who understand both the challenges and the solutions,” said Anika Rahman, Director of Policy at Active Minds. “We are grateful to Representatives Houchin (R-IN), Trahan (D-MA), Valadao (R-CA), and Pocan (D-WI) for recognizing the importance of youth-led solutions and for their bipartisan leadership on the Campus Lifeline Act. What began as a youth-led initiative to place 988 on the back of student ID cards on campuses has now grown into the introduction of federal legislation with the potential to create nationwide change. Awareness and education around mental health resources are vital, and when young people lead, they help create solutions that are practical and accessible.”

Trahan Statement on Supreme Court Voting Rights Act Decision

Position: Congresswoman Trahan opposes the Supreme Court's Louisiana v. Callais decision, arguing it weakens the Voting Rights Act and makes it easier to suppress votes among Black voters and communities of color. She characterizes the decision as part of a Republican effort to rig electoral maps and reduce accountability.

WASHINGTON, DC – Today, Congresswoman Lori Trahan (MA-03) issued the following statement following the Supreme Court’s Louisiana v. Callais decision: “Today, the Supreme Court's Republican majority finished what they started – gutting the Voting Rights Act of 1965 and making it easier to silence Black voters and communities of color ahead of a pivotal midterm election.” “For the past year, Republicans in Congress and in state legislatures across the country have raced to rig their maps and hold onto power – power they have surrendered to Donald Trump, who has raised prices on American families, ripped health care away from people who need it, and sent U.S. servicemembers to fight in a new forever war in the Middle East. Today's decision is the culmination of the GOP's effort to ensure that the same families being screwed over by this administration and their Republican enablers in Congress have even less power to hold them accountable at the ballot box.” “This is a power grab, plain and simple. And just as we did when Republicans kicked off their mid-decade redistricting scam, Democrats will respond in kind. We didn’t start this fight, but it’s on us to finish it.”

Trahan Tours Federally Funded Senior Housing Facility in Westminster

LOWELL, MA – Today, Congresswoman Lori Trahan (MA-03) joined Westminster town officials to tour the Westminster Senior Residences, a 50-unit affordable senior housing facility that was constructed using significant federal investments. “After more than a decade of planning, it’s inspiring to see this project completed and fully leased,” said Congresswoman Trahan. “This is what happens when federal, state, local, and private partners work toward a shared vision, and it’s what smart public investment looks like. I’m especially proud that federal ARPA dollars and Low-Income Housing Tax Credits helped close the financing gaps and ensure these homes remain affordable for years to come. The thoughtful design, the proximity to the Senior Center, and the partnerships with local service providers will help longtime Westminster residents stay connected, engaged, and supported in their community. This should serve as a model for senior housing not just in Massachusetts, but across the country.” “This senior housing project was on the Town’s wishlist for decades,” said Westminster Town Administrator Stephanie Lahtinen. “We partnered with Commonwealth Community Developers and although it took multiple grant applications and several years, we finally found the right mix of federal and state assistance along with an ARPA contribution from the Town that made the project possible and brought us to where we are today. Thanks to the support and efforts of our townspeople and local officials, we were able to achieve this milestone for our senior community.” The Westminster Senior Residences is a 100% affordable, age-restricted (62+) development located directly behind the Town of Westminster’s Senior Center. The project, more than a decade in the making, was developed by Commonwealth Community Developers and is managed by Maloney Properties. After opening last fall, all 50 one-bedroom units were fully leased by the end of the year. “We’re grateful for the strong support for the development from all of our elected officials,” said James J. Perrine, President of Commonwealth Community Developers. “Congresswoman Trahan has been with us from the start, resulting in the receipt of $1.2 million federal tax credits, enabling us to raise $10.6 million in private equity. She also supported over $4.3 million in federal ARPA funds from the State’s Executive Housing and Livable Communities and another $200,000 for the Town of Westminster’s local ARPA funds. The Town originated the project, provided the land adjacent to the senior center, and contributed $200,000. This truly is the result of partnership at all levels of government, and we are grateful for the Congresswoman’s leadership.” The project’s total development cost of approximately $22.4 million was financed through a mix of federal, state, local, and private sources. Federal investments were central to making the project financially viable, including $1.2 million per year in Federal Low-Income Housing Tax Credits (LIHTC) over 10 years, which generated more than $10.6 million in private equity. The project also received $4,577,965 in funds from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds, which Trahan supported passage of and helped close critical financing gaps to ensure long-term affordability for low-income seniors. The Town of Westminster contributed $200,000 in local ARPA funding, a 99-year land lease, and fee waivers exceeding $200,000.

Trahan, Ashby Town Leaders Tout Safety Improvements from BIL-Funded Intersection Project

LOWELL, MA – Today, Congresswoman Lori Trahan (MA-03) met with Ashby town leaders to discuss the significant safety improvements from the Greenville Road and Turnpike Road intersection project, which was completed thanks to $3,301,715.56 in federal funding Trahan secured through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. Since the project’s completion, the town has seen a noticeable decrease in accidents at the intersections. “When I visited this intersection back in 2021, the need for improvement was clear,” said Congresswoman Trahan. “I'm proud that the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law delivered the federal investment to get this done. Too often, federal dollars flow to larger cities while smaller communities like Ashby get overlooked – that's not acceptable. Every resident in this district deserves safe roads, and this project is proof that when we fight for small towns, we can deliver real results.” “The Town extends sincere appreciation to Congresswoman Lori Trahan and MassDOT for their collaboration and support in advancing this critical infrastructure project. The intersection of Turnpike Road and Greenville Road experienced numerous traffic accidents over the years, underscoring the need for improved safety measures. The improvements have significantly enhanced traffic flow and are already reducing the risk of collisions, creating a safer environment for our residents, commuters, and emergency responders. This project reflects Ashby's ongoing commitment to improving roadway safety and highlights the importance of strong partnerships between local, state, and federal agencies in addressing community needs,” said Mary Daughraty, Ashby Town Administrator. The Greenville Road and Turnpike Road intersection sits at a critical crossroads in Ashby, serving as a key connector for the town's roughly 4,200 residents as they go about their daily lives. For years, the intersection posed real safety concerns for the drivers, cyclists, and pedestrians who rely on it, concerns that Congresswoman Trahan saw firsthand during a site visit in August 2021. Getting this intersection right was a priority not just for the town's highway team, but for residents who depend on these roads to get to work, to school, and to the places that make Ashby home. The project involved the creation of a four-exit rotary, milling and resurfacing the roadways, and updated pavement markings to ensure the safety of drivers passing through the corridor. Before finalizing the design, engineers conducted a full alternatives analysis to ensure the most effective traffic control method was deployed. The total project cost was $3,340,303, with 90 percent of that, $3,301,715, covered by federal dollars through the Highway Safety Improvement Program, a program that received a significant funding boost as part of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. The remaining 10 percent was covered by the state. “Partnerships are key to community-building, and this federal-state one is what made the Greenville Road and Turnpike Road intersection project a much-needed and successful reality,” said State Representative Margaret Scarsdale. “Congresswoman Trahan is a fierce advocate for Ashby, and we appreciate her leadership.” Shortly after visiting the Ashby intersection in 2021, Trahan helped pass the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, paving the way for more than $9.5 billion in federal investments to upgrade the Commonwealth’s infrastructure, including the Greenville Road and Turnpike Road intersection project.

Trahan Demands Release of 14-Year-Old Marlborough Resident Detained by Federal Immigration Agents

Position: Congresswoman Trahan opposes the detention of a 14-year-old by federal immigration agents, characterizing it as using a child as leverage to coerce family deportation rather than legitimate enforcement, and demands her immediate release and an end to this practice.

LOWELL, MA – Today, Congresswoman Lori Trahan (MA-03) demanded the immediate release of a 14-year-old Marlborough resident who was detained yesterday by U.S. Department of Homeland Security agents: “Yesterday, a 14-year-old girl from Marlborough was detained by federal immigration agents. A child with no criminal history was taken into custody in an apparent overnight attempt to use her as a hostage to coerce her father into turning himself in for deportation. As a mother to 15- and 11-year old daughters, I am furious. This is not immigration enforcement. It’s the deliberate targeting of a child to inflict maximum pain on her family.” "Two months ago, ICE detained five-year-old Liam Ramos in Minnesota under similar circumstances. The nation watched in horror as a little boy with a blue bunny hat and Spiderman backpack was taken into custody by federal immigration authorities. The ordeal was so heinous that a federal judge ordered his release and called it ‘cruel’ and ‘bereft of human decency.’ But now, federal immigration agents seem to be doing it again, this time here in Massachusetts.” “I am demanding her immediate release. She should be returned home to her family this afternoon and able to go back to school tomorrow. In the meantime, DHS must abandon its clearly adopted policy of using children as bait to detain and deport family members and instead focus its efforts on violent criminals.”

Trahan Statement on U.S. Military Strikes in Iran

Position: Congresswoman Trahan opposes unilateral military strikes against Iran without congressional authorization and debate. She argues that Congress has a constitutional responsibility to decide on military action and that any conflict must have clear objectives and strategy rather than becoming an open-ended commitment.

LOWELL, MA – Today, Congresswoman Lori Trahan (MA-03) issued the following statement after President Donald Trump announced significant U.S. military strikes on Iran: “President Trump is drawing the United States into another foreign conflict, returning American servicemembers to the Middle East once again less than five years after the end of our 20-year War in Afghanistan. The American people deserve answers. Congress has a constitutional responsibility to decide whether our nation goes to war – and that responsibility cannot be bypassed. Any military action against Iran must be openly debated and authorized by Congress.” “I’m praying for the safety of our servicemembers in the region who have been placed in harm’s way yet again and for their families who have already borne enormous sacrifice. Like all Americans, they were told just 10 months ago – when Trump ordered strikes on Iran’s nuclear sites – that Iran’s nuclear capability was set back years as a result. Now, we’re being told something altogether different: that those strikes failed, and that Iran may be more dangerous than ever. Our men and women in uniform deserve a clear mission, defined objectives, and a strategy that protects U.S. interests and regional stability without sliding into another forever war.” “Every dollar and every American servicemember committed to an open-ended conflict abroad is a dollar and a life not invested here at home – in the families already stretched thin at the grocery store, on their utilities, and at the doctor’s office. At a moment of real economic pressure, driven in part by reckless policies advanced by this administration, the last thing our country needs is a costly war launched without congressional debate or a clear strategy. I will continue pressing for transparency and oppose any unilateral rush to war that puts politics ahead of our troops and the wellbeing of the American people.”

Trahan Unveils Report Outlining Bipartisan Path to Update the Privacy Act

Position: Congresswoman Trahan advocates for modernizing the Privacy Act of 1974 through a bipartisan framework that strengthens limits on federal data collection and sharing, updates safeguards for digital systems, improves transparency and oversight, and enhances enforcement mechanisms to protect Americans' personal information.

WASHINGTON, DC – Today, Congresswoman Lori Trahan (MA-03) released a new staff report titled Privacy, Trust, and Effective Government: A Bipartisan Blueprint for Modernizing the Privacy Act. The report was developed following extensive stakeholder input submitted in response to a Request for Information (RFI) Trahan circulated in 2025 examining potential updates to the Privacy Act of 1974. The report comes amid growing concerns about the federal government’s handling of Americans’ sensitive personal data, including recent incidents that have exposed weaknesses in existing privacy protections and oversight mechanisms. “The Privacy Act was written for a world of file cabinets and mainframe computers, not one defined by cloud storage, data brokers, and AI,” said Congresswoman Trahan. “Americans should be able to trust that their personal information is handled responsibly by their government. This report lays out practical, commonsense updates to strengthen privacy protections, restore public trust, and ensure the federal government can operate effectively in the digital age.” The staff report outlines a bipartisan framework to modernize the Privacy Act of 1974, including recommendations to: Strengthen limits on the collection, use, and sharing of Americans’ sensitive personal data. Update definitions and safeguards to reflect modern systems, technologies, and practices. Improve transparency so individuals can understand how their data is used by the federal government. Enhance oversight mechanisms to prevent misuse of personal information. Bolster enforcement to ensure timely and meaningful redress when abuse occurs. Right-size requirements to promote compliance while enabling effective government operations. Enacted more than 50 years ago, the Privacy Act of 1974 has not kept pace with the scale, speed, or complexity of how the federal government now collects and uses personal data. As agencies increasingly rely on digital systems and third-party contractors, outdated protections leave Americans vulnerable to privacy abuses while hindering responsible data processing and eroding trust in government. The report is intended to inform bipartisan, bicameral efforts to modernize federal privacy law and ensure that government data practices meet the expectations of the American people in the 21st century. A copy of the report released today can be accessed HERE. This report is the latest step in Trahan’s push for government privacy reform. Its release follows efforts Trahan has led regarding DOGE’s alleged mishandling of Americans’ sensitive data housed in the Treasury Department’s payment system and separately at the National Labor Relations Board and Department of Interior. Trahan has similarly led House Democrats in investigating the Trump Administration’s data consolidation efforts at key benefits agencies. In March 2025, Trahan issued her RFI to rewrite the Privacy Act for the first time since its passage in 1974.