Lloyd Smucker (R-PA)
Protecting American Streaming and Innovation Act
A Republican bill with 8 Republican cosponsors · See all 8 cosponsors
Last activity — Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.
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 "Protecting American Streaming and Innovation Act" directs the United States Trade Representative to investigate Canadian digital trade practices. This investigation specifically targets Canada's Online Streaming Act to determine if its policies are unreasonable, discriminatory, or place an unfair burden on United States commerce. If the investigation finds that Canada's practices are discriminatory, the Trade Representative may consider actions such as suspending trade benefits or imposing duties. The bill also provides for a framework of reporting requirements and quarterly updates to Congress. Furthermore, it allows for retaliatory actions if Canada fails to remedy these identified measures. This authority can also be applied to other foreign countries performing similar actions.
Yes· 3 of 5
- Scored +5
Would business owners be better off under this?
The bill protects digital service providers from discriminatory 'contribution' and 'discoverability' obligations.
- Scored +4
Does this make trade with other countries easier?
The bill seeks to enforce trade rights under the USMCA to ensure a level playing field for American companies.
- Scored +3
Would union members be better off under this?
The bill aims to protect high-paying jobs in the U.S. digital and audiovisual sectors.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Protection of U.S. Commerce: The bill seeks to address what it identifies as discriminatory policies that target American companies, which could protect high-paying jobs and the digital trade engine in the United States (Section 2, Finding 1 and 4).
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Enforcement of Trade Rights: By investigating and potentially taking action, the bill aims to enforce United States rights under trade agreements like the USMCA to ensure a level playing field (Section 2, Finding 2 and 5).
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Mitigation of Business Burdens: The investigation targets "contribution" and "discoverability" obligations that currently require U.S. companies to pay mandatory high-percentage contributions or undertake costly platform modifications (Section 2, Finding 4).
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Prevention of Global Precedents: Taking action against these policies could help prevent other nations from adopting similar protectionist regimes that target successful United States streaming companies and content producers (Section 2, Finding 7).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
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Risk of Unintended Consequences: Retaliatory actions, such as the imposition of additional duties on goods of Canadian origin, could have unintended consequences for United States consumers and allies (Section 5, subsection c).
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Trade Instability: The potential suspension or modification of trade agreement concessions could impact existing trade relationships and benefits (Section 5, subsection b).
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.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Would business owners be better off under this? — The bill protects digital service providers from discriminatory 'contribution' and 'discoverability' obligations. Would union members be better off under this? — The bill aims to protect high-paying jobs in the U.S. digital and audiovisual sectors.
- Economy And Finance
- Is this likely to create jobs? — The bill seeks to protect high-paying jobs in the U.S. digital trade engine from discriminatory foreign policies. Does this make it easier to run a small business? — The bill aims to mitigate costly platform modifications and revenue-based taxes imposed on U.S. digital service providers.
- National Security And Foreign Policy
- Does this make trade with other countries easier? — The bill seeks to enforce trade rights under the USMCA to ensure a level playing field for American companies.
- 4/15/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 4/6/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 3/24/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 3/19/2026
- Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.
- 5 Cosponsors added.
- Introduced in House
Ron EstesRepublican · Kansas
Mike KellyRepublican · Pennsylvania
Darin LaHoodRepublican · Illinois
Nicole MalliotakisRepublican · New York
Carol MillerRepublican · West Virginia
Nathaniel MoranRepublican · Texas
W. SteubeRepublican · Florida
Rudy YakymRepublican · Indiana