100 House Democrats Press GOP for AI Safeguards as 64% See Humanity Risk
Updated
Updated · POLITICO · Sep 16
100 House Democrats Press GOP for AI Safeguards as 64% See Humanity Risk
3 articles · Updated · POLITICO · Sep 16
Summary
More than 100 House Democrats urged Republican leaders to keep the House in session until it passes “meaningful, bipartisan AI safeguards,” escalating pressure for action.
A new POLITICO poll drove that push: nearly two-thirds of Americans see at least a moderate risk that AI could destroy humanity, and nearly half support pausing more advanced models.
Congress remains split on what safeguards should look like. OpenAI backed independent watchdogs for developers, while Rep. Josh Gottheimer called instead for mandatory government vetting of models.
Republican divisions are also widening: Speaker Mike Johnson dismissed AI fears as Democratic hysteria, even as Sen. Bill Cassidy and other Republicans argue Congress must respond.
The standoff adds to a broader fight already sharpened by Trump’s resistance to new AI guardrails and by bipartisan concern that Washington is lagging the technology’s rapid advance.