WASHINGTON, D.C., 2025-06-16 18:30:00
Music’s Voice on Capitol Hill
The GRAMMYs on the Hill event champions music creators’ rights and livelihoods. The event brings together music industry leaders and lawmakers in Washington, D.C.
- The TICKET Act advanced fair ticketing practices.
- The RAP Act defended artistic expression.
- The PEACE Through Music Diplomacy Act fostered global connections.
- The Music Modernization Act drove historic change.
What’s the buzz in D.C.? The Recording Academy’s signature advocacy event, GRAMMYs on the Hill, recently wrapped up its impactful week in Washington, D.C., where music, policy, and action converged. Through face-to-face meetings, GRAMMY winners, nominees, and Academy leaders championed legislation supporting music creators.
Fair Ticketing Takes Center Stage
At GRAMMYs on the Hill 2024, over 60 GRAMMY winners, nominees, and Recording Academy executives met with congressional leaders to push for ticketing reform, specifically backing the TICKET Act.
This bipartisan bill promotes transparent pricing, curbs speculative ticketing, and ensures refunds for canceled events, protecting both fans and artists. Just two weeks after Advocacy Day, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the TICKET Act, a significant victory for music lovers nationwide.
Read more: The House Of Representatives Has Passed The TICKET Act: Here’s What You Need To Know
Protecting Artistic Expression
During GRAMMYs on the Hill 2023, the Restoring Artistic Protection (RAP) Act was reintroduced in the House. Backed by the Recording Academy, the RAP Act limits the use of song lyrics as evidence in criminal and civil court proceedings, a practice disproportionately affecting rap and hip-hop artists.
By establishing guardrails around creative expression in the courtroom, the bill safeguards free speech and storytelling in music.
Read more: The RAP (Restoring Artistic Protection) Act Has Been Introduced In The House
Music as a Diplomatic Tool
In 2022, the Recording Academy collaborated with GRAMMYs on the Hill honorees Rep. Michael McCaul (R-TX) and Rep. Ted Deutch (D-FL) to introduce the PEACE Through Music Diplomacy Act.
The legislation empowers the U.S. State Department to utilize music diplomacy programs to build international connection and understanding. After Advocacy Day meetings, a Senate version was introduced by Leahy and Tillis, and in December 2022, President Joe Biden signed the PEACE Through Music Diplomacy Act into law.
The act directly led to the launch of the American Music Mentorship Program, a joint initiative between the Recording Academy and the State Department, bringing international artists and professionals to the U.S. for mentorship and global collaboration.
Read more: The PEACE Through Music Diplomacy Act Passes Congress, Heads To The President’s Desk To Be Signed Into Law
The Music Modernization Act: A Historic Win
In 2018, Rep. Bob Goodlatte introduced the Music Modernization Act (MMA) one week before GRAMMYs on the Hill, with Senate leadership from Sen. Orrin G. Hatch.
During Advocacy Day, Recording Academy members urged congressional offices to support the bill. The bill included key reforms: improved compensation for songwriters, royalty payments for pre-1972 legacy artists, and official recognition of producers and engineers in copyright law.
The bill passed unanimously in both chambers and was signed into law by President Trump on Oct. 11, 2018. As the most significant update to music legislation in over 45 years, the Music Modernization Act continues to benefit hundreds of thousands of music creators nationwide.
What’s Next?
This year, advocates met with almost 30 Congressional offices on Capitol Hill to support two major policy efforts:
HITS Act: Advocates met with nearly 30 Congressional offices to urge legislators to support the Help Independent Tracks Succeed (HITS) Act. The bill would allow independent artists and songwriters to deduct up to $150,000 in music production costs in the year those expenses are incurred, leveling the playing field for self-releasing artists and updating the tax code to give music the same treatment as film, TV, and theater.
NO FAKES Act: The Nurture Originals, Foster Art, and Keep Entertainment Safe (NO FAKES) Act would create the first-ever federal protections for artists’ voice, likeness, and image from unauthorized AI-generated deepfakes. The bill would set a national standard to hold platforms and individuals accountable for digital impersonations.
The act was reintroduced at a press conference hosted during GRAMMYs on the Hill in partnership with Senators Chris Coons (D-DE), Marsha Blackburn (R-TN), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Reps. Madeleine Dean (D-PA) and Maria Salazar (R-FL), and leaders from the Recording Academy, SAG-AFTRA, the MPA, RIAA, Warner Music Group, and YouTube.
Read more: GRAMMYs On The Hill 2025: How Reps. Linda Sánchez & Ron Estes Are Fighting For Music Creators’ Rights
Get Involved
Contact your representatives and urge them to support the HITS Act, the NO FAKES Act, and increased arts funding. Download our official GRAMMYs On The Hill social media toolkit and join the conversation online to support the HITS Act, the NO FAKES Act, and vital investments in the arts.
For more updates and ways to take action, visit the Recording Academy Advocacy page.
How The 2025 GRAMMYs On The Hill Awards Fought To Promote, Protect & Preserve Music
