April McClain Delaney
At the State of the Net 2026 Conference Representative April McClain Delaney (D-Md.) announced that she would introduce a significant piece of legislation that month. Federal standards for quantum technology and a structured regulatory framework for AI development are the objectives of the proposed act.
Congress is still struggling with the quick development of new technology and the strategic need to stay ahead of the competition, which is why Delaney made this revelation. The Congresswoman stressed that Democratic legislative efforts are continuing to address the demands of a changing technological landscape, even as she acknowledged the political challenges of achieving significant legislation while involved in the Minority Party.
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A Collaborative Approach to AI and Quantum Standards
Enhancing interagency coordination and investment is a key component of Delaney’s approach. She maintained that the federal government needs to stop using a disjointed approach to supervision. “I do think that there should be some coordination, and I do think that we should have greater collaboration, including with the National Science Foundation,” Delaney stated during the conference.
Regarding the technical specifics of these standards, Delaney expressed support for a proposal by Rep. Jay Obernolte (R-Calif.), which advocates for sector-by-sector oversight. Both lawmakers agree that the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) should play a pivotal role in this process due to its “deep expertise in quantum and many aspects of AI”. However, Delaney cautioned against a narrow approach that relies solely on NIST, arguing that a successful framework must also involve universities and private companies as key stakeholders.
Moving Beyond a “Patchwork” of Regulations
The scope of Delaney’s tech policy agenda goes well beyond technological requirements. She maintained that the current “piecemeal” state-by-state cybersecurity and data privacy laws are insufficient to safeguard the general public. She pointed out that the Communications Act of 1934, which established the FCC to combine disparate rules, was the last significant revision of communications policy, comparing the present to the early 20th century.
A similar “New Deal” is needed now, according to Delaney, for platform accountability, data, AI, and infrastructure. The influence of contemporary technology on public trust, competition, surveillance, and trade would all be examined in this proposed reform. Experts caution that the United States may lose ground on foreign competitors in the absence of a defined federal baseline; this worry is reflected in a 2025 study that calls on Congress to support quantum projects in order to maintain an advantage over rivals worldwide.
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Accountability for Social Media and Algorithms
Delaney launched the Algorithm Accountability Act in November 2025, and it is a key component of her program. In her capacity as a “lifelong child advocate,” Delaney is working to hold social media companies accountable for algorithms that injure children in predictable ways. “There must be some type of liability or some sort of penalty, or it’s never going to change,” she asserted.
There has been opposition to the measure because it may violate First Amendment rights, especially with regard to the age verification requirements. The European Union’s Digital Services Act and Digital Marketing Act are effective models that the US should take into consideration, Delaney said, adding that she was confident these legal issues could be resolved.
Bridging the Digital Divide
In her native state of Maryland, Delaney has emphasized the importance of broadband connection, especially for hospitals and rural farming regions. Using her background as a former deputy assistant secretary at the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA), she supported the BEAD initiative and the Biden-era Internet for All Initiative.
She determined that the most adaptable and scalable answer for rural America was fiber-optic technology. Delaney advocated for expediting the zoning and regulatory procedures to guarantee that underprivileged neighborhoods may take advantage of telehealth services and contemporary infrastructure, particularly in light of possible reductions to other social programs.
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The Path Forward
Policy activists and the tech industry are carefully following Delaney as she gets ready to formally unveil her quantum and AI package. Even though the bill has a long way to go in a divided Congress with conflicting jurisdictional interests, Delaney is committed to creating a federal framework that guarantees technology innovation is accompanied by accountability and public safety.
