Federal privacy law faces new hurdles ahead of markup

Lawmakers are advancing the American Privacy Rights Act (APRA) to markup amid contentious debates over how far federal preemption should go, whether to allow private lawsuits, and the bill’s recent removal of AI-related civil rights protections. Industry groups argue preemption is too weak and litigation risks are high, while some civil society organizations urge delay until civil rights safeguards are restored; small business advocates back exemptions for the smallest firms. The bill, a priority for Chair Cathy McMorris Rodgers, also targets data brokers and advertising practices, but its path forward hinges on negotiating these divisions within the House Energy and Commerce Committee and broader GOP skepticism.