Pete Sessions (R-TX)
Websites and Software Applications Accessibility Act of 2025
A Republican bill with 7 Democratic cosponsors · See all 11 cosponsors
Last activity — Referred to the Committee on Education and Workforce, and in addition to the Committee on the Judiciary, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
In committee
Introduced and handed to a committee in the chamber it started in.
The committee holds it, and most bills are never heard from again. A hearing or a committee vote would be news; silence is the usual outcome, and it kills the bill without anyone voting against it.
Its path through Congress
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
The Websites and Software Applications Accessibility Act of 2025 aims to establish uniform accessibility standards for digital content. It requires covered entities, such as employers and public accommodations, to ensure their websites and applications are usable by individuals with disabilities. The Department of Justice and the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission are tasked with setting and enforcing these standards. The bill addresses systemic barriers that exclude people from participating equally in society. It also provides for technical assistance and grants to help small entities comply with the new rules.
Yes· 3 of 9
- Scored +10
Does this expand the rights of people with disabilities?
The bill establishes essential uniform accessibility standards to prevent discrimination against individuals with disabilities in the digital space.
- Scored +10
Would people with disabilities be better off under this?
The bill provides direct benefits by mandating digital accessibility and providing support for remediation.
- Scored +5
Does this make it easier to run a small business?
The bill provides technical assistance and specific grants to help small entities comply with new accessibility standards.
The opposite
- Scored -2
Would business owners be better off under this?
Business owners may face new compliance burdens and potential litigation risks.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Increased Digital Equality: The Act seeks to ensure that individuals with disabilities can access the same information, engage in the same interactions, and enjoy the same services as those without disabilities (Section 3, Definition 1).
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Standardized Accessibility: By requiring the Department of Justice and the EEOC to set and enforce standards, the bill aims to remedy the nationwide problem of inaccessible digital platforms (Section 2, Purpose (b)(2)-(3)).
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Support for Small Businesses: The bill provides for grants to help small entities audit, test, and remediate their web content or applications to meet new accessibility requirements (Section 11, subsection (b)).
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Expert Advice and Guidance: A standing advisory committee, which includes a majority of members who are individuals with disabilities, will provide responsive advice and guidance to federal agencies (Section 8, subsection (a)).
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Technical Assistance: A technical assistance center will be established to provide information, resources, and training regarding the design and development of accessible web content and applications (Section 9, subsection (a)).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
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Potential Burdens on Entities: Covered entities may face challenges if compliance imposes an undue burden or fundamentally alters the nature of their services, programs, or activities (Section 4, subsection (d)).
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Compliance Requirements for Commercial Providers: Commercial providers are prohibited from designing or providing inaccessible web content or applications to covered entities, which could impact how they develop products (Section 4, subsection (c)).
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Tap or hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Social Issues And Justice
- Does this expand the rights of people with disabilities? — The bill establishes essential uniform accessibility standards to prevent discrimination against individuals with disabilities in the digital space.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Would people with disabilities be better off under this? — The bill provides direct benefits by mandating digital accessibility and providing support for remediation. Would business owners be better off under this? — Business owners may face new compliance burdens and potential litigation risks.
- Economy And Finance
- Does this make it easier to run a small business? — The bill provides technical assistance and specific grants to help small entities comply with new accessibility standards. Does this give people more protection from unfair business practices? — By mandating accessible digital content, the bill protects consumers with disabilities from being excluded from goods and services.
- Education And Technology
- Does this get reliable internet to more people? — While not funding physical access, it aims to improve the usability of the internet for people with disabilities. Does this put more rules on large technology companies? — The bill introduces new compliance requirements for digital platforms and commercial providers.
- Governance And Ideology
- Does this give the federal government more power? — The bill expands federal oversight through the DOJ and EEOC to enforce digital accessibility standards. Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see? — The bill requires public posting of enforcement actions and settlement documents.
- Healthcare
- Does this make health care easier to get in general? — The bill ensures digital access to healthcare information and services through more accessible web content.
- 7/20/2026
- 2 Cosponsors added.
- 10/31/2025
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 10/3/2025
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 9/2/2025
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 8/15/2025
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 7/22/2025
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 6/5/2025
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 6/4/2025
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 6/2/2025
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 5/14/2025
- Referred to the Committee on Education and Workforce, and in addition to the Committee on the Judiciary, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- Introduced in House
One bill Congress.gov lists as related to this one — companions in the other chamber, earlier versions, and bills this one absorbed or was folded into.
Randy FineRepublican · Florida
Steny HoyerDemocrat · Maryland
Abraham HamadehRepublican · Arizona
Greg LandsmanDemocrat · Ohio
George LatimerDemocrat · New York
Joseph MorelleDemocrat · New York
Burgess OwensRepublican · Utah
Darren SotoDemocrat · Florida
Shri ThanedarDemocrat · Michigan
Eugene VindmanDemocrat · Virginia
Randy WeberRepublican · Texas