Insights | Meridian Research Group | Page 4

Tech / Media / Telecom

Children’s Data Privacy/Online Safety

The House Energy & Commerce (E&C) Subcommittee on Commerce, Manufacturing, & Trade held a vote on 18 bills relating to children’s online safety/privacy.

Tech / Media / Telecom

Artificial Intelligence (AI)

President Trump signed an executive order (EO) this week that attempts to challenge and constrain state-level AI regulations that the administration views as “burdensome."

Energy, Infrastructure

Permitting Reform

House Republicans, with the help of several Democrats, are wrapping up a multi-week effort to pass legislation that streamlines the process for acquiring federal permits to facilitate infrastructure build out. The most impactful of the bills is the SPEED Act, which will pass in the House tomorrow. The legislation goes beyond the steps taken by...

Pharmacy Benefit Managers (PBMs)

Senate Finance Committee Chair Crapo (R-ID) and Ranking Member Wyden (D-OR) introduced the Pharmacy Benefit Manager (PBM) Price Transparency & Accountability Act.

Defense Spending

The final version of the annual defense policy bill (NDAA) passed the House this week and will pass the Senate next week. NDAA includes a non-binding target for FY26 defense spending that is ~$7b higher than FY25, but the actual spending level is set via separate FY26 defense appropriations legislation, which is likely to be resolved in January....

Legislative activity around the soon-to-expire ACA enhanced subsidies (eAPTCs) accelerated this week but remains highly partisan. The Senate yesterday failed to pass separate Democratic and Republican bills on the issue. And, House Republicans are moving towards a vote next week on what is likely to be a partisan approach to addressing the issue.