Our union was at the forefront of major legislative action before many other national music organizations existed. Our focus on issues that impact the recording industry dates to the 1930s when AFM President Emeritus Lester Petrillo used his considerable influence to organize musicians under a national phonograph recording agreement. These agreements eventually led to congressional legislation that strengthened our ability to organize and push for a performance right in recorded sound. Likewise, the union aggressively lobbied Congress to pass a ban on foreign contract labor in 1917, to defeat the Prohibition Amendment and the 20% Cabaret Tax in 1918, and the Lea Act in 1946, as well as to repeal the Cabaret Tax and to promote government grants for the nonprofit arts community, both in 1955.

 

Now More Than Ever,
The AFM TEMPO Fund Is Our Voice in Washington

Supporting lawmakers and candidates who champion issues important to musicians is crucial.

Every contribution to TEMPO allows the AFM to support lawmakers and candidates who champion issues vital to musicians like you. It ensures that the AFM has a seat at the table and is strongly represented in the critical conversations happening on Capitol Hill. From new bands to experienced performers, every musician deserves fair wages, good working conditions, health care, and retirement security.

The following highlights the key legislative issues that we are actively working to address.

Artificial Intelligence

➤ All musicians must have control of their work and receive fair compensation.
➤ Pass the Transparency and Responsibility for Artificial Intelligence Networks (TRAIN) Act and the Copyright Labeling and Ethical AI Reporting (CLEAR) Act to create transparency and accountability in AI development.
➤ Pass the Nurture Originals, Foster Art, and Keep Entertainment Safe (NO FAKES) Act as meaningful first steps towards protecting artists from AI exploitation.

Artist Compensation

➤ Pass the American Music Fairness Act to fairly compensate artists when their music is played over terrestrial radio.
➤ Pass the Protect Working Musicians Act to allow artists to collectively negotiate with AI developers and streaming platforms.

Artist Visas

➤ The AFM supports administrative and legislative reforms to streamline the immigration process that has been broken for too long. When artist visa processing in the United States doesn’t work as intended, both cultural and local communities suffer.

Arts Education

➤ Pass the Arts Education for All Act to create more opportunities for working musicians, expand access to arts participation, and train the next generation of artists.

Copyright

➤ AFM supports updating Section 512 of the Copyright Act to reflect pervasive and sophisticated online piracy. Overbroad
safe harbor provisions and technological changes over the last 25 years have made Section 512 less effective.

Equality Among Musicians

➤ Pass the Equality Act to prohibit discrimination based on sex, sexual orientation, or gender identity.
➤ AFM supports policy measures that promote diverse talent pipelines and inclusive hiring practices as found in “Policy Agenda to Advance Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) in the Arts, Entertainment, and Media Industries.”

Federal Support for the Arts

➤ AFM supports increasing funding for the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) to at least $1 per capita or roughly $336 million. NEA grants create jobs for musicians — with strong workplace protections — in all states and jurisdictions.

Tax Policy

➤ Pass the Performing Artist Tax Parity Act to update the Qualified Performing Artist tax deduction.
➤ Pass the Tax Fairness for Workers Act to restore the tax deductibility of union dues.
➤ Pass the No Tax Breaks for Union Busting Act to end tax benefits for interfering in workers’ right to organize.

Ticketing Reform

➤ AFM supports federal and state measures to empower musicians and protect fans. Meaningful ticketing regulations include upfront fee transparency, a ban on speculative tickets, and a cap on resale cost.

Worker Protections

➤ Pass the Richard L. Trumka Protecting the Right to Organize Act to ensure all workers have the right to organize and collective bargaining without interference.

 

 

TEMPO: Supporting Candidates Who Support Music

AFM members have joined together to support candidates who support music. For musicians, it is critical that we support lawmakers and candidates who fight for issues we care about including:

• Protecting artists from the exploitation of Artificial Intelligence
• Ensuring fair compensation for artists when their music is streamed or played on the radio
• Tax reform to reduce film recording offshoring
• Improving travel regulations to facilitate travel with instruments
• Creating stricter copyright and performance rights laws to guarantee that musicians receive fair compensation for their work
• Support for music education so our next generation of musicians may learn their craft

Federal law prohibits dues money from being used for most political purposes. That’s why musicians have established TEMPO (Taskforce for Employment of Musicians Promotional Organization). TEMPO is solely comprised of small contributions given by AFM musicians—like you.

AFM is not soliciting contributions to TEMPO from any individual who is not a member of the American Federation of Musicians of the United States and Canada (AFM), executive or professional employee of AFM or its affiliates, or their family member living in the same household. Any contribution received from such an individual will be returned to that contributor. Only United States citizens and lawful permanent United States residents may contribute. AFM TEMPO makes contributions and expenditures in federal, state and local elections. All contributions are voluntary and an individual may refuse to contribute without any reprisal. Any guideline contribution amount is merely a suggestion and an individual is free to contribute more or less and AFM will not favor or disadvantage the individual by reason of the amount of a contribution or a decision not to contribute. Federal law requires us to use our best efforts to collect and report the name, mailing address, occupation and name of employer of individuals whose contributions exceed $200 in a calendar year. Contributions and gifts to AFM TEMPO are not tax deductible. Contributions by foreign nationals, corporations or companies are prohibited.