House Speaker Sides with Big Tech, Rejects Congressional Oversight on AI Safety
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Speaker Mike Johnson told CNN that AI developers, not lawmakers, should ensure product safety, dismissing calls for congressional action and prioritizing competition with China over public welfare.
Speaker of the House Mike Johnson appeared on CNN’s “State of the Union” to declare that AI safety should be left to the very corporations profiting from the technology, rather than lawmakers accountable to the public. Johnson flatly rejected demands for a national moratorium on AI projects, arguing that any attempt at regulation would supposedly hand China a competitive advantage. He warned, 'if Congress just races in and does some sort of emergency session to try to regulate AI, we will lose the race to China, and that is a threat to every single American.'
Johnson’s stance echoes the tech industry’s relentless push for deregulation, as he expressed support for mere 'dialogue' with technology leaders, rather than concrete legislative action. He referenced a recent social-media post by White House AI adviser David Sacks, who called on industry to self-police and protect the public from harm. Johnson insisted, 'We need to handle this new technology like we have others in the past and make sure we’re doing everything we can responsibly to also not smother American innovation,' prioritizing corporate interests over robust public safeguards.
These remarks come as concerns about AI risks intensify, highlighted by the resignation of Anthropic researcher Jacob Coxon and CEO Dario Amodei’s urgent call for stronger protections. Even tech billionaires like Elon Musk and OpenAI’s Sam Altman have acknowledged the need for caution, yet Johnson continues to shield industry from meaningful oversight.
Democratic officials have rightfully criticized this abdication of responsibility. Senator Ruben Gallego compared AI’s unchecked decision-making power to nuclear weapons, while former Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg condemned congressional inaction on AI as 'deeply dangerous.' Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries emphasized that AI will be a top priority for the Democratic caucus, signaling a commitment to public safety over corporate profits.
Public sentiment is clear: polls show overwhelming opposition to AI data centers, with 69% of respondents in a recent NBC News survey and 70% in a Gallup poll rejecting local construction of such facilities. Yet, the Speaker continues to prioritize industry interests and international competition over the well-being of the American people.