A bipartisan group of House Democrats has formally requested that Speaker Mike Johnson reconvene the chamber immediately to address advanced artificial intelligence safeguards, warning of potential catastrophic risks posed by the technology. The lawmakers argue that Congress must act before the current recess period, which begins Thursday and resumes November 9 after the midterm elections.
In a letter circulated Friday, Reps. Sam Liccardo (D-CA), George Whitesides (D-CA), Lori Trahan (D-MA), and Ted Lieu (D-CA) called on Johnson to bring the House back immediately and remain in session until meaningful, bipartisan AI safeguards are advanced. The letter states: "Reasonable minds may disagree about precisely how Congress should regulate this rapidly evolving technology. We cannot disagree about the imperative for Congress to act."
The House is scheduled to reconvene Monday but will recess after Thursday for several weeks. Earlier this month, House leaders canceled two weeks of scheduled work in September to allow members more time to campaign ahead of the elections.
Key AI Risks Cited
The lawmakers highlighted several recent incidents they say demonstrate the dangers of unregulated AI. These include:
- Anthropic’s disruption of efforts to use its Claude models in ways that could support biological weapons development.
- A Chinese government-linked surveillance operation targeting Uyghurs in Syria.
- An Iran-linked effort to use AI for unspecified harmful purposes.
The letter concludes: "While AI safety experts and Americans increasingly urge action to confront this conflagration of risk, Congress fiddles."
House Leadership Responds
The push comes as House Republicans have not indicated plans to prioritize AI legislation before the recess. The current legislative schedule includes no dedicated AI-related votes or hearings before November. A spokesperson for Speaker Johnson did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
Background: AI Regulation Debate
The call for immediate action reflects growing bipartisan concern over AI’s potential misuse, though lawmakers remain divided on the scope and approach of regulation. Some Democrats advocate for comprehensive federal oversight, while Republicans have emphasized voluntary industry standards and international coordination as alternatives to legislation.
Earlier this year, the White House issued an AI executive order directing federal agencies to develop safety guidelines, but Congress has not yet passed binding legislation. The European Union has also advanced its own AI Act, which includes strict compliance requirements for high-risk AI systems.
Next Steps
The House is expected to reconvene Monday, but no immediate votes on AI safeguards have been scheduled. The lawmakers’ letter signals an escalation in pressure on House leadership to prioritize the issue before the recess.