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As the congressional recess draws to a close, many Capitol Hill journalists and staffers are preparing for a surge of activity. The upcoming weeks are expected to be particularly hectic, with lawmakers set to tackle critical issues such as online child safety, the ongoing discussions surrounding TikTok’s acquisition, and, notably, the contentious matter of spectrum allocation.

Let’s dive deeper into each of these significant topics in focus.

Kids’ Safety: We’ll kick things off at the House Energy and Commerce Committee, where a substantial hearing is scheduled for Wednesday. The E&C Commerce, Manufacturing, and Trade Subcommittee will convene to discuss the pressing issue of “online dangers to children.”

This hearing is set to serve as an open forum covering broad perspectives on the issue, rather than concentrating on specific legislative proposals. Nevertheless, it’s highly likely that critical bills like the Kids Online Safety Act, the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act, and the “Take It Down Act” will be highlighted by both lawmakers and expert witnesses alike.

Subcommittee Chair Gus Bilirakis (R-Fla.) and E&C Chair Brett Guthrie (R-Ky.) have both indicated that children’s safety online is a significant priority for this session of Congress. This is an issue long championed by Democrats as well, suggesting that there may be an opportunity for bipartisan support—at least in theory.

Discussions between Bilirakis, Guthrie, and House GOP leadership on the Kids Online Safety Act are ongoing, particularly following last year when Republican leaders effectively stalled progress on the bill. A central question remains whether the proposed legislation will place an obligation on social media platforms to actively protect young users. Talks are currently lively, but it isn’t evident that a consensus is imminent.

Other legislative measures, notably the “Take It Down Act,” are reportedly progressing well. This bill targets revenge porn and has already passed in the Senate this year, making it a legislative priority for First Lady Melania Trump as well.

TikTok: The popular app continues to present a complex challenge for congressional Republicans, particularly in light of its connections to the Chinese government.

Vice President JD Vance is at the forefront of negotiations aimed at compelling TikTok’s parent company, ByteDance, to divest its ownership of the app—a process which must be concluded by the looming April 5 deadline imposed by Congress last year. Meanwhile, former President Donald Trump has suggested that he could instruct the Justice Department to postpone penalties against app stores featuring TikTok.

Oracle’s bid for acquiring TikTok has emerged as the most serious contender. Nonetheless, Perplexity AI is also in the running, promoting its offer as the sole viable option capable of severing the app’s ties to Chinese ownership—a requirement essential to comply with legal standards, thus raising significant concern on Capitol Hill.

China hawks in Congress, such as Rep. John Moolenaar (R-Mich.), are emphasizing the necessity for ByteDance to relinquish complete control over TikTok. They are cautioning technology firms about the legal implications of maintaining ties with a Chinese-owned entity.

We anticipate this situation will intensify over the next couple of weeks as the April 5 deadline draws closer and as any potential agreement becomes clearer. There will likely be increasing pressure on Republicans to either back a deal that may not entirely adhere to the legal framework established or to break ranks with Trump.

Spectrum: The discussion surrounding the electromagnetic spectrum, especially the mid-band frequencies, is heating up as Senator Ted Cruz (R-Texas) and many Republicans are advocating for a greater allocation for commercial use during budget reconciliation discussions. This mid-band spectrum is highly sought after by carriers due to its potential to significantly enhance 5G service availability across the United States.

Potential auctions for these frequencies could generate upwards of $100 billion, presenting an appealing revenue source to help mitigate various anticipated expenditures within the broader fiscal package.

However, a considerable hurdle remains: the military currently controls much of this spectrum. Allies in Congress are pushing to maintain the Pentagon’s access, complicating the effort to free up these frequencies for commercial use.

Sources tell us that the general progress on budget reconciliation has entered a phase of relative stagnation. As previously reported, Republican leaders plan to engage with the Senate parliamentarian to clarify the procedural guidelines governing their reconciliation efforts.

House Armed Services Chair Mike Rogers (R-Ala.) has confirmed that his team is in talks with Energy and Commerce staff concerning which frequencies could be put up for auction. Nonetheless, Rogers has emphasized that none of the frequencies used for military radar systems or other communication and sensing applications can be compromised.

“Primarily our radar systems,” he stated, “but any frequencies we depend on for communication or sensing must remain protected. Beyond that, anything else can be considered for sale.”

The dilemma is that the spectrum desired by carriers and lawmakers overlaps with the sensitive military frequencies Rogers has outlined, making consensus increasingly challenging. Expect these talks to escalate in intensity over the next few weeks as resolution becomes more pressing.

– Diego Areas Munhoz and Ben Brody

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