XRA OUTLINES 8 NEW POLICY ACTIONS IN 2026
Washington D.C. – The XR Association (XRA) today released its 2026 Policy Priorities, calling on the 119th Congress to advance an innovation agenda that positions extended reality as core infrastructure for the nation’s digital future.
Policymakers recognize that XR is no longer limited to head-mounted displays. The technology now spans virtual, augmented, and mixed reality, spatial computing, digital twins, and AI-enabled wearables, forming an intelligent ecosystem that merges digital and physical environments. By adding context and awareness to how people interact with information, spaces, and one another, XR allows artificial intelligence to operate more naturally and in service of human experience.
“To help ensure U.S. leadership in XR technology, including the rapid growth of AI wearables, XRA is advocating for eight robust policy initiatives in the second session of the 119th Congress,” said Chris Brown, Vice President of Public Policy at XRA. “We believe these bold, bipartisan recommendations will not only help further expand the use cases of XR technology in the increasingly critical workforce training, healthcare and national security sectors, but also position the U.S. as a leader in shaping global governance and standards. Timely implementation of these initiatives will help drive economic growth and enhance our global competitiveness in an increasingly critical segment of the U.S. technology sector.”
The eight recommended policy actions are:
- Pass the United States Leadership in Immersive Technology Act of 2025: Congress should pass the bipartisan, bicameral United States Leadership in Immersive Technology Act of 2025 (H.R. 2321/S. 1106) to establish an interagency, multi-stakeholder panel under the Department of Commerce. The panel will advise the President on U.S. strategy for XR development, adoption, deployment, and governance, ensuring coordination across federal agencies and alignment with national competitiveness goals.
- Empower Americans for the Workforce of Tomorrow: Congress should support the use of immersive technology to train and upskill the U.S. workforce by passing measures like the Immersive Technology for the American Workforce Act of 2025 (H.R.6968/S. 2855), which would help provide cutting-edge skills training to underserved communities and drive future-ready careers. Congress should expand the SMART USA initiative to mandate the use of digital twins in semiconductor research and development. This integration will modernize manufacturing workflows and provide a scalable, immersive platform for upskilling the next generation of technicians and engineers within the U.S. semiconductor industry.
- Enhance U.S. Participation in International Standards Development Organizations: Congress should encourage and enable stronger United States engagement in developing standards and specifications for critical and emerging technologies by passing legislation like the Promoting United States Leadership in Standards Act of 2025 (S. 1269). Global standards will determine the future of immersive technology, and the United States must match the level of participation in international standards bodies by global competitors like China, and allies like the EU, to ensure the U.S. plays a leading role.
- Strengthen Supply Chain Security and U.S. Competitiveness: Congress should enact policies to enhance supply chain security and resilience, ensure access to critical components and hardware, and bolster the United States’ ability to innovate and lead in immersive technology manufacturing through legislation like the Promoting Resilient Supply Chains Act of 2025 (H.R. 2444/S. 257).
- Create a National Privacy Standard: Congress should enact a comprehensive federal data protection law that addresses the opportunities and challenges of the digital age and provides consistent protections across states. A national framework should clearly articulate the individual’s right to control their personal data and clarify the responsibilities of entities managing sensitive biometric and spatial data, ensuring a ‘privacy-by-design’ approach that protects users without stifling innovation.
- Expand Access to High-Quality, Technology-Based Healthcare: Congress should pass legislation like the Access to Prescription Digital Therapeutics Act (H.R. 3288/S. 1702) to expand Medicare and Medicaid coverage to prescription digital therapeutics and broaden patient access to innovative treatments. Relatedly, the FDA should lean into initiatives like its Digital Health Advisory Committee to improve the agency’s understanding of digital health technologies and ultimately accelerate responsible and appropriate approvals.
- Accelerate the U.S. Government’s Use of Digital Twins: Federal agencies should expand the use of digital twins to improve public safety, disaster preparedness, infrastructure, and mission delivery. The Department of Homeland Security should pilot digital twin programs within FEMA, while the National Institute of Standards and Technology should establish additional testbeds to support research, interoperability, and applied evaluation across agencies.
- Expand Immersive Technology Grants for State and Local Governments: Congress should establish competitive grant programs enabling states, municipalities, and public safety agencies to adopt XR tools for training, infrastructure inspection, emergency response, and education. Federal support will help local communities modernize services and scale proven pilot programs nationwide.
The full policy priorities document goes further in-depth into XRA’s proposed policies. Read more here.
