Why It Matters

The Recording Academy is pushing Congress on several fronts this quarter, with a focus on the American Music Fairness Act and artist visa processing. The organization filed a lobbying disclosure for the second quarter of 2026, signaling sustained engagement on issues affecting musicians and the broader music industry.

By the Numbers

The Recording Academy spent $120,778 on lobbying activities in the second quarter of 2026, according to the filing submitted July 20.

Broader Context

The Recording Academy is focused on copyright protections, education funding, and immigration reform. On copyright issues, the organization supports H.R.861 and S.326, the American Music Fairness Act, which remain active in the 119th Congress. The group is also advocating for artist visa processing reform and music and arts education funding. Additionally, the Recording Academy is engaged on broader budget and appropriations matters.

Recent congressional activity aligns with some of these priorities. Rep. Judy Chu (D-CA) introduced a bipartisan bill to extend Section 181, with the Recording Academy among those applauding the effort. Sens. Blackburn (R-TN) and Warnock (D-GA) introduced the Creative Relief and Expensing for Artistic Entertainment / Creative Relief and Expensing for Audio and Television Enterprises (CREATE) Act to extend the same provision for entertainers, singers, and songwriters.

The organization's advocacy efforts are led internally by Todd Dupler, Chief Advocacy and Public Policy Officer, and Kim Alton, Senior Director, Advocacy and Public Policy, alongside Government Affairs Manager Montana Miller.

The Bottom Line

The Recording Academy's second-quarter lobbying reflects the organization's ongoing efforts to shape policy on artist compensation, education, and immigration issues. With three registered advocates working on multiple legislative fronts, the group is positioning itself to influence key decisions affecting the music industry.

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