This bill closes a long-standing gap in copyright law by requiring traditional radio stations to pay performance royalties to recording artists and labels. Small stations would pay as little as $10 a year, and songwriters' existing pay would be protected.
Modern Action explains what the legislation does, helps you choose whether to support, oppose, or ask for changes, and drafts a message tied to the bill, your stance, and the elected officials who can act on it.
American Music Fairness Act of 2025 is a House bill in committee. The latest recorded action: Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
Latest action on H.R. 861: Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
Who this affects: This bill touches everyone involved in making and broadcasting music in the United States. Recording artists and session musicians would gain a new income stream from traditional radio airplay. Radio stations — from large commercial broadcasters to small community stations — would face new costs, though the smallest stations are shielded by very low flat fees. Record labels would collect new revenue but also face changes in how direct licensing deals work.
Why this matters: The United States is one of the few developed countries where traditional radio stations don't pay recording artists for playing their music. This creates an uneven playing field: streaming services and satellite radio pay both songwriters and performers, while AM/FM radio only pays songwriters. This bill would bring the U.S. in line with international standards and could meaningfully increase income for musicians — especially session players and backup artists who often struggle financially.
You do not have to start with a blank letter. Modern Action turns the bill, your position, and the relevant congressional context into a message you can edit and send. The goal is to make contacting Congress clear, specific, and useful without forcing you to parse bill text or figure out the right office on your own.
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Officially: American Music Fairness Act of 2025
This bill closes a long-standing gap in copyright law by requiring traditional radio stations to pay performance royalties to recording artists and labels. Small stations would pay as little as $10 a year, and songwriters' existing pay would be protected.
Use this page to support, oppose, or ask Congress to amend HR861. Modern Action explains what the bill does, helps identify the right senators or representative, and drafts a bill-specific message you can edit and send.
Where it stands
Sitting in House Committee
No vote scheduled. Constituent contact is what moves bills out of committee.
↓ Why your message matters here
This bill is sitting in committee with no scheduled vote — which means a small number of constituent messages can decide whether it moves forward or quietly dies.
Enter your ZIP to see how your senators and member of Congress have voted, sponsored, or spoken on this bill.
The debate
Where this bill is in the process
Introduced
Introduced in House
House Committee
Under House committee consideration
Latest: Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary. (1/31/2025)
House Floor Vote
Voted on by House
Passed House
Approved by House
Senate Review
Sent to Senate for consideration
Passed Both Chambers
Approved by both House and Senate
Signed into Law
Signed by the President
For more detail
Choose one clear position: support, oppose, or amend. Then pick any reasons or personal context you want included. Modern Action uses that input and the bill context to draft a message you can edit and send.
Congressional offices prioritize messages from their own constituents. Modern Action uses your address to route the drafted message to your House representative when that is the most relevant target for this bill.
The draft includes the bill number, your position, the reasons you selected, any personal context you added, and a direct ask such as voting yes, voting no, cosponsoring, opposing, or seeking changes. You stay in control because you can edit the message before sending.
This page gives you an opportunity to support, oppose, or ask for changes to American Music Fairness Act of 2025, then contact the elected officials who can act. Modern Action drafts the message from your position and the reasons you select.
Modern Action keeps the action tied to the bill itself: what it does, where it is in the process (committee), which office can still act, and what ask belongs in the message.
You are not starting from a blank form. Modern Action drafts the message around HR861, your stance, and the reasons you choose, then lets you edit and send when ready.
