# Congress Reintroduces Biometric Technology Moratorium

Congressional leaders including Senators Markey and Merkley and Representatives Jayapal, Tlaib, and Pressley have reintroduced the Facial Recognition and Biometric Technology Moratorium Act, aiming to prohibit federal government use of facial recognition and other biometric technologies. The legislation conditions federal grant funding on state and local moratoria and establishes enforcement mechanisms to address concerns about privacy, racial bias, and misuse of biometric surveillance by federal agencies such as ICE and CBP.

- Procurement professionals should anticipate potential restrictions or prohibitions on acquiring facial recognition and biometric technologies for federal use, impacting current and future contracts.
- Agencies relying on biometric solutions may face compliance requirements or funding limitations tied to moratorium conditions, affecting procurement planning and vendor engagement.
- Contractors offering biometric technology products or services should evaluate the evolving regulatory environment and consider diversification or adaptation strategies.
- Organizations involved in federal grants should assess how moratorium conditions could influence funding eligibility and project scopes related to biometric technologies.

**Jurisdictions:** federal
**Industries:** Public Safety
**Topics:** Regulatory Compliance
**Published:** September 26, 2026

### Government Entities
- U.S. Senate (Senate)
- U.S. House of Representatives (House)
- Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE)
- Customs and Border Protection (CBP)

### Key Quotes
> Facial recognition and other biometric technologies in the hands of government agencies have become tools of authoritarianism. Agencies such as ICE and CBP are using this technology to track, target, intimidate and surveil communities across the country.
> — Edward J. Markey, Senator

> Enacting a federal moratorium on this technology is critical to ensuring we can rein in inappropriate surveillance and protect our communities fundamental right to privacy.
> — Jeff Merkley, Senator

> We have to stop the constant, nonconsensual state of surveillance that we live in, and that starts with placing a moratorium on our governments use of facial recognition technology.
> — Pramila Jayapal, Representative

### Sources
- [Sens. Markey, Merkley and Reps. Jayapal, Tlaib, Pressley Reintroduce Legislation to Halt Government Use of Facial Recognition and Other Biometric Technology](https://www.markey.senate.gov/news/press-releases/sens-markey-merkley-and-reps-jayapal-tlaib-pressley-reintroduce-legislation-to-halt-government-use-of-facial-recognition-and-other-biometric-technology) - Markey Senate