Congress Faces Growing Pressure to Regulate Advanced AI

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer urged the Trump administration to hold an immediate classified briefing for all senators on the government’s plans for artificial-intelligence regulation as the Senate reconvened after a five-week recess. "Warning bells are ringing louder than they ever have," Schumer said in a statement.

House Speaker Mike Johnson also indicated he will meet with leading AI company executives later this week, adding that a discussion is forthcoming. "It will be soon," he told reporters.

The call for action follows the resignation of an Anthropic researcher who warned that uncontrolled AI could pose existential risks, prompting both Democratic and Republican lawmakers to express openness to stricter oversight. Several bipartisan bills have resurfaced, though the upcoming midterm elections compress the legislative calendar; the House is slated to adjourn after a few days, and the Senate will recess on Oct. 2.

Johnson, in a recent interview, argued that the private sector should lead AI safety efforts, warning that a rapid congressional response could disadvantage the United States relative to China. President Donald Trump dismissed concerns about AI and data centers as a "sick conspiracy" in a social-media post, stating, "Whoever wins AI, wins!"

The House is set to vote on the bipartisan Ratepayer Protection Act, which would require state utility regulators to ensure data centers cover the full incremental cost of electricity-grid upgrades, aiming to protect consumers from higher energy bills. The bill passed the House Energy and Commerce Committee unanimously in July, with Rep. Brett Guthrie describing it as a way for data centers to "pay their own way."

The debate over AI safety is drawing a wide political spectrum, with Senator Bernie Sanders and former White House aide Steve Bannon scheduled to speak at a "pro-human" AI forum on Sept. 15. The event will also feature Sen. Marsha Blackburn, Rep. Chip Roy, and Rep. Greg Casar, reflecting diverse viewpoints on the technology's risks and regulation.