Rep. Ted Lieu Warns Congress on AI Guardrails as GOP Stalls Legislation

Rep. Ted Lieu (D-Calif.), the fourth-ranking House Democrat, told reporters at the Hill Nation Summit that he is “still freaked out by AI, and it’s actually accelerated much more quickly than I thought possible.” He argued that the Republican leadership has not passed any legislation this term that imposes safeguards on artificial-intelligence systems, adding that “the American people…are being fed up with what they see as a lack of action in Congress” on the issue.

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In response to growing concerns, Reps. Jay Obernolte (R-Calif.) and Lori Trahan (D-Mass.) introduced draft legislation last month aimed at creating a national AI framework. The proposal would set federal standards while allowing states to retain “general applicability” laws. Lieu praised the effort but objected to a provision that would preempt state regulations on AI model development for three years, warning that “if you’re going to have a ceiling on preemption…we don’t even know what AI’s going to look like in two or three years.” He called such a ceiling “a little dangerous” compared with a floor-based approach.

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A Johns Hopkins University survey released the previous month found that a clear majority of respondents support AI regulations, with nearly 80 percent favoring guardrails in medical care and therapy applications. The poll underscores broad public demand for oversight as AI capabilities expand.

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Republican lawmakers have emphasized the need to avoid stifling innovation, yet Lieu noted the absence of any GOP-sponsored guardrail bills. Rep. Kat Cammack (R-Fla.) highlighted the geopolitical dimension, stating that “China and Russia and Iran would love nothing more than for us to say, absolutely, no data science…because it is a cognitive warfare.” Her comment reflects a view that aggressive AI development is essential for national security, contrasting with Lieu’s call for tighter safeguards.

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• “I am still freaked out by AI, and it’s actually accelerated much more quickly than I thought possible,” — Rep. Ted Lieu, D-Calif.

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• “I cannot name a single law passed this term by House Republican leadership that has any guardrails on AI,” — Rep. Ted Lieu, D-Calif.

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• “If you’re going to have a ceiling on preemption, then it needs to have not only a very strong federal standard, but also take into account that AI’s moving so quickly and we don’t even know what AI’s going to look like in two or three years,” — Rep. Ted Lieu, D-Calif.

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• “China and Russia and Iran would love nothing more than for us to say, absolutely, no data science.” — Rep. Kat Cammack, R-Fla.

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