The U.S. House of Representatives has adjourned, delaying action on the burgeoning artificial intelligence crisis until after the November midterm elections. This move comes despite prominent AI executives urging Washington to implement regulations, particularly in the wake of a resignation from an Anthropic researcher who voiced concerns that advanced AI could pose an existential threat by the end of the decade.
The urgency expressed by leading AI firms like Anthropic, OpenAI, and xAI has not translated into legislative action on Capitol Hill, as lawmakers prioritize campaigning ahead of the midterms, which will determine control of Washington for the remainder of President Trump’s term. President Trump himself has been a vocal opponent of restrictive AI regulations, dismissing reported threats as a “hoax.”
House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., stated that members need to return to their districts to engage with constituents, explaining the cancellation of Thursday’s session. He suggested that the Senate, which will remain in session for an additional two weeks, should take the lead on passing legislation, as any bill requires approval from both chambers and the president’s signature to become law. Earlier in the week, Speaker Johnson indicated a reluctance for Congress to act hastily on AI regulation, warning that rushed measures could inadvertently benefit China in the global AI race.
This decision to adjourn early has drawn criticism from Democrats and some Republicans who advocate for immediate regulatory action. Representative Sam Liccardo, D-Calif., a proponent of AI regulation and a representative of Silicon Valley, has been actively urging the House to remain in session. He led a group of 107 Democrats in a letter to Speaker Johnson on Tuesday, emphasizing the growing risks associated with AI and the public’s demand for action. The letter expressed concern that Congress is delaying substantive debate on AI safety, engaging instead in “performative resolutions” while the House embarks on another extended recess.
Liccardo, a former mayor of San Jose, highlighted the potential long-term consequences of inaction, stating, “There is no human that wins a race to superintelligence that is beyond the control of humans.” He criticized the current legislative approach, suggesting that Congress is prioritizing re-election campaigns over addressing critical technological advancements.
Liccardo proposed focusing on “low-hanging fruit” for immediate action. This includes advancing the bipartisan Frontier Act, co-sponsored by Representatives Jay Obernolte, R-Calif., and Lori Trahan, D-Mass. This bill mandates third-party audits to ensure AI lab safety and introduces new transparency requirements, empowering the Commerce Department to suspend or restrict AI models posing an “imminent catastrophic risk.” Liccardo also suggested exploring a “kill switch” mechanism for out-of-control AI models and a narrow antitrust exemption to facilitate collaboration among top AI companies on safety initiatives.
In a separate letter this week, Representative Obernolte, alongside Representative Brian Fitzpatrick, R-Pa., and a bipartisan group of Democrats, urged House leadership to expedite legislation establishing guardrails for advanced AI technologies. Obernolte expressed his commitment to advancing the Frontier Act and the Great American Artificial Intelligence Act, a comprehensive regulatory framework he has developed with Representative Trahan, upon the House’s return.
Obernolte acknowledged the political realities, stating, “Honestly, it was pretty clear to me that nothing meaningful was going to get done on AI regulation in advance of the election.” He believes that while there was no viable legislative window for the House to act before the election, efforts will resume upon their return.
The Senate may take preliminary steps on AI regulation before their recess in early October. However, the path forward remains uncertain. Speaker Johnson has pledged that the House would reconvene within 48 hours if the Senate passes any substantive legislation, though this commitment is not specific to AI regulation.
Meanwhile, in the Senate, key figures like Commerce Committee Chair Ted Cruz, R-Texas, Senator Amy Klobuchar, D-Minn., and Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., have been collaborating on an AI safety bill. Senator Cruz indicated that the bill could be brought to a committee vote by the end of the month, contingent on achieving bipartisan agreement. The focus remains on developing a legislative framework that balances innovation with robust safety protocols for the rapidly evolving field of artificial intelligence.
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