AceShowbiz - The U.S. Capitol on June 28, 2025, in Washington, DC.

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Currently, there are several significant bills in the 119th Congress that are capturing the attention of the music industry. These federal legislative proposals have the potential to influence a variety of sectors within the music business, including songwriting, licensing, tourism, royalties, ticketing, and live performances. Notably, many of these bills have garnered bipartisan backing from both Democrats and Republicans, demonstrating a broad consensus on their importance.

Industry stakeholders, including organizations like the Recording Academy and the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA), have actively supported these initiatives. Major corporations, including prominent record labels and Live Nation, have also added their voices in favor of these legislative efforts.

The journey of a bill through Congress can be complex and lengthy. Often, bills are introduced multiple times over the years, sometimes emerging in different forms in the Senate and House of Representatives. They undergo various committee reviews, hearings, and amendments before reaching the floor for a vote. If approved, the bill then moves to the president's desk for final approval and enactment into law.

To streamline access to this information, Billboard has compiled a comprehensive list of music-related legislation currently before the 119th Congress. This compilation includes insights into the historical context of each bill, its supporters, and the potential implications for the music industry.

We are committed to tracking the progress of each proposed piece of legislation, updating our list as bills advance through the House and Senate. Additionally, we will include new bills as they are introduced, explaining their significance for the music sector.

One notable piece of legislation is the Restoring Artistic Protection (RAP) Act, initially introduced in 2022. This act seeks to restrict the use of rap lyrics in federal prosecutions. The use of lyrics as criminal evidence has sparked significant controversy, particularly in high-profile cases involving artists like Young Thug, Gunna, and Lil Durk.

Reintroduced in 2023 and again in July 2025 in the House, the RAP Act was referred to the House Judiciary Committee. Co-sponsored by Representatives Hank Johnson (D-Ga.) and Sydney Kamlager-Dove (D-Calif.), it enjoys widespread support within the music community, with backing from the Recording Academy, RIAA, and major industry players like Warner Music Group and Universal Music Group.