Full Committee Markup

The House Committee on Energy and Commerce held a full committee markup on March 5, 2026, focusing primarily on legislation aimed at protecting children and teens online, as well as enhancing the cybersecurity of the nation's energy infrastructure. The committee debated the Kids Internet and Digital Safety Act, a comprehensive package intended to empower parents and safeguard children from online harms such as exploitation, addictive content, and unsafe interactions. Despite bipartisan efforts, the bill faced significant partisan disagreements, particularly over provisions related to the duty of care for tech companies, state law preemption, and enforcement standards. Several amendments were proposed and debated, reflecting concerns about privacy, accountability, and the balance between parental control and children's rights. Additionally, the committee considered and advanced multiple bipartisan energy cybersecurity bills designed to strengthen the Department of Energy's leadership, improve coordination, and provide resources to rural and municipal utilities to protect the electric grid from cyber and physical threats. The session concluded with unanimous passage of the energy bills and continued efforts to reach bipartisan consensus on online safety legislation.