Thune Advocates for Congressional Action on AI Regulation Amid Trump's Dismissal

<p>Majority Leader John Thune is asserting Congress' prerogative to act on AI, urging a "light touch" even in the face of potential risks. On his first day back after a five-week break, Thune (R-S.D.) outlined his vision for congressional action on an issue President Trump has dismissed as a "hoax."</p><p><strong>Why it matters:</strong> Thune stated, "Congress has a job to do." He acknowledged potential risks associated with AI, saying, "Guardrails there make sense to me" regarding cutting-edge AI models. However, he also noted, "there are always people who are creating a worst-case-scenario-type conversation out there."</p><p><strong>Driving the news:</strong> An AI panic is rippling through Congress, particularly among Democrats, with House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.) calling to "slow down the pace of development" of AI to avoid catastrophic outcomes. Trump has publicly expressed that he should have sole authority to regulate AI, stating, "The only control or 'guardrails' that AI needs is a STRONG AND SMART (High IQ!) PRESIDENT, and the U.S.A. has that, in spades," on his Truth Social account.</p><p><strong>Zoom out:</strong> While Republicans are not questioning Trump's ability to lead the country's approach to AI regulation, they are suggesting that Congress has a role to play and are not ruling out legislation. Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) mentioned, "So we may need to do something," adding that existing guardrails and corporate responsibility are significant factors.</p><p><strong>Zoom in:</strong> Thune discussed an AI bill with Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.) that would require companies creating frontier AI models to guard against catastrophic risks and submit to federal oversight. He has been working with Commerce Chair Ted Cruz (R-Tex.) to reintroduce the bill "hopefully soon." House GOP leaders have not indicated plans to keep the chamber in session after this week to work on AI-related legislation, with Rep. Jay Obernolte (R-Calif.) stating, "I don't know that staying in more weeks in September is going to be the catalyst for that."</p><p><strong>Between the lines:</strong> Prior to this weekend, much of the AI debate in Washington focused on data centers and their electricity consumption. Republicans and the White House aim to assure voters that they will not face higher utility bills due to data centers' energy needs. Thune left open the possibility of the Senate voting on a version of the House's Ratepayer Protection Act, which seeks to ensure communities are not burdened with increased energy costs from data centers. The House is expected to vote on the bill Tuesday.</p><p><strong>What we're hearing:</strong> Thune is well-prepared for the AI discussion, having worked on AI legislation for years. Before joining leadership, he chaired the Commerce Committee, which oversees AI. His familiarity with the subject contrasts with many lawmakers who lack experience in AI. Johnson remarked on a podcast that he has never used an AI chatbot, stating, "Congress is not the expert on this subject because we are not in the frontier labs with them."</p><p><strong>The bottom line:</strong> Thune is signaling openness to regulation that would not hinder innovation, stating, "I think you also want to make sure that the more advanced threats can be mitigated." He added, "I do think we are in a race with China, and I think there's huge upside, obviously, with AI as well."</p>