{"database": "press", "table": "releases", "rows": [["https://james.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=1281", "James\u2019 App Store Accountability Act Passes Commerce, Manufacturing, and Trade Subcommittee", "2025-12-12", "2025", "2025-12", "Republican", "House", "MI", "John James", "J000307", "james.house.gov", "james", "https://james.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 Yesterday, Congressman John James' (MI-10) H.R. 3149, the App Store Accountability Act, advanced out of the Commerce, Manufacturing, and Trade (CMT) Subcommittee by a unanimous voice vote. This legislation, authored by James, takes direct aim at Big Tech\u2019s failures to protect children online and restores real authority to parents over what apps their kids can access.\n\nRep. James bill is being cosponsored by CMT Chairman Gus Bilirakis (FL-12) and Rep. Erin Houchin (IN-9). The Senate companion bill is being led by Senator Mike Lee (R-UT).\n\n\"As a father of three, protecting kids online is one of my top priorities\u2014and something parents across Michigan raise with me constantly,\u201d said Rep. James. \u201cMy bill is simple: app stores should follow the same common-sense rules we expect from every small business. If a corner store can\u2019t knowingly sell adult or addictive products to minors, neither should the world\u2019s largest digital storefronts. These multi-billion-dollar companies already have the means to do this safely and while respecting privacy, but they're instead choosing to put profits over protecting kids. This isn\u2019t about one company: it\u2019s about holding every platform to the same basic standard of responsibility. Parents have a right to know, kids can\u2019t consent, and no one is above the law.\"\n\n\u201cThe App Store Accountability Act will give parents the tools they\u2019ve been asking for to protect their children online,\u201d said Senator Mike Lee. \u201cI\u2019m pleased to see our bill moving forward and urge Congress to prioritize parents over Big Tech to get this critical legislation passed. Thank you to Rep. Jon James for leading the charge in the House!\u201d\n\nA national poll shows 88 percent of parents support requiring app stores to verify age and restrict adult or addictive material. This support has turned into action with more than 4,500 parents sending letters urging the Energy and Commerce Committee to pass the App Store Accountability Act.\n\nThe bill also has garnered broad support from law-enforcement groups, including from Livingston County Sheriff Michael Murphy, Marquette County Sheriff Gregory Zyburt, and the International Union of Police Associations. Law-enforcement confronts the consequences of online exploitation every day and understands the risks our kids face online.\n\nThe App Store Accountability Act has earned support from a wide range of organizations committed to the safety and well-being of America\u2019s children. Endorsements include:\n\nDigital Childhood Alliance\n\nHeritage Action\n\nPinterest\n\nOver 170 organizations focused on child safety, mental health, and responsible technology practices\n\nWith yesterday\u2019s subcommittee passage, the App Store Accountability Act moves to the full Energy and Commerce Committee for further consideration. To view Rep. James\u2019 remarks, click here.\n\n###", 1, "2026-04-04T05:28:40Z", "2026-04-04T05:30:10Z"]], "columns": ["url", "title", "date", "year", "month", "party", "chamber", "state", "member_name", "bioguide_id", "domain", "scraper", "source", "date_source", "text", "has_text", "collected_at", "updated_at"], "primary_keys": ["url"], "primary_key_values": ["https://james.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=1281"], "units": {}, "query_ms": 1.0028276592493057, "source": "dwillis/congress-press", "source_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press", "license": "MIT", "license_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press/blob/main/LICENSE"}