US House of Representatives adjourns early amid AI debate — CNBC
The US House of Representatives in Washington adjourned early on Wednesday and left the capital. As CNBC Top News reports, this will almost certainly delay consideration of legislation on artificial intelligence regulation until the midterm elections in November.
House Speaker Mike Johnson explained the cancellation of the session scheduled for Thursday by the need for House members to return to their districts for election campaigning. The US Senate will continue working for another two weeks. Johnson said the House could return within 48 hours if the Senate passes any substantive bill; this promise did not apply exclusively to AI regulation.
Calls for legislative action
Johnson had previously warned against rushing to adopt restrictions on AI, saying this could strengthen China's position in the competition for leadership in this field. At the same time, Democratic Congressman Sam Liccardo, who represents part of Silicon Valley, called on the House to remain in Washington to work on AI rules. On Tuesday, he sent Johnson a letter making this demand along with 107 Democrats.
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Liccardo proposes starting with the bipartisan Frontier Act, sponsored by Republican Jay Obernolte and Democrat Lori Trahan. The document provides for reviews by independent auditors to ensure the safe operation of AI laboratories, new transparency requirements, and the ability for the US Department of Commerce to suspend or restrict a developer's model in the event of an “imminent catastrophic risk.”
Initiatives in the House and Senate
Obernolte and Republican Brian Fitzpatrick, together with a group of Democrats, also urged House leadership to advance legislation with appropriate safeguards for AI as soon as possible. Obernolte said he would seek joint consideration of the Frontier Act and the comprehensive Great American Artificial Intelligence Act after the House returns.
In the Senate, Commerce Committee Chair Ted Cruz, Senator Amy Klobuchar, and Senate Majority Leader John Thune are working on a separate AI safety bill. The text of the initiative has not yet been released. Cruz said a committee vote by the end of the month is possible, but will depend on reaching bipartisan agreement.
