H.R. 9253: Protect Working Musicians Act of 2026

The Protect Working Musicians Act of 2026 is a proposed U.S. law that aims to help independent musicians, producers, and small music businesses by allowing them to work together to negotiate fair terms with large online music platforms and artificial intelligence (AI) companies. Currently, these independent artists often have to accept whatever terms these big companies offer, which can lead to unfair compensation. This bill would let them join forces to negotiate better deals without breaking antitrust laws. It also addresses concerns about AI companies using musicians' work without permission by giving artists a way to collectively bargain for fair compensation when their music is used to train AI models.

The bill has received strong support from the music community. The American Federation of Musicians praised it as a 'commonsense approach to fixing a fundamentally broken system,' emphasizing that when working musicians have a seat at the table, everyone benefits. The Recording Academy also backed the legislation, highlighting that it would address the imbalance in the digital marketplace by allowing independent artists to collectively negotiate with streaming services and AI developers. Additionally, local artists and industry figures, such as Tift Merritt and Merge Records co-founder Laura Ballance, have expressed support, noting that low payouts from streaming platforms make it harder for artists to make a living.

While the bill has garnered support from the music community, some skepticism exists regarding its potential to pass in the current political climate. Congresswoman Ross acknowledged that the bill is unlikely to pass this year but expressed hope for its future success, particularly if Democrats regain control of the House. Additionally, there is concern about the bill's impact on large streaming platforms and AI companies, as it could lead to increased operational costs and potential legal challenges. However, specific negative reactions from these companies have not been widely reported at this time.

The Protect Working Musicians Act of 2026, sponsored by Deborah Ross, does not show direct industry overlaps with her top donor industries, indicating a lower risk of conflicts of interest. While there is significant lobbying activity in related areas, such as $60,000 from the Spray Foam Coalition and $50,000 from Shanda Asset Management LLC, these contributions do not directly relate to the interests of working musicians. The lack of disclosed amounts from other lobbying entities further suggests that while there is some financial influence, it does not appear to directly impact the bill's intent or objectives. Voters should be aware that while lobbying exists, the absence of direct donor overlap mitigates potential conflicts.

Organizations that lobbied on issues related to this bill's policy area.

Source: Senate Lobbying Disclosure Act (LDA) filings, 2026

Top industries funding Deborah Ross, ranked by total contributions.

Source: OpenSecrets.org (Center for Responsive Politics)