Full Breakdown
Congress Grapples with AI Regulation: Bipartisan Push, State Initiatives, and Ongoing Challenges
By Drooid · · How we work
Core Event – Congressional Push for a Federal AI Framework
Republican Representative Jay Obernolte (R-Hesperia) now chairs the House Subcommittee on Research and Technology and is steering proposals toward a federal AI regulatory framework. The effort centers on the draft Great American AI Act (GAAIA), a bipartisan bill co-authored with Democratic Representative Lori Trahan (D-Massachusetts). Its 85 recommendations are being split into smaller measures and advanced through relevant committees.
Background & Context
Rapid AI advances have prompted warnings about misuse and privacy erosion. Congress has debated new caucuses, briefings, and a handful of bills, but comprehensive AI safety legislation this year remains unlikely.
Key Figures & Groups
- Jay Obernolte — Republican Representative, chair of the House Subcommittee on Research and Technology.
- Lori Trahan — Democratic Representative, co-author of the draft Great American AI Act.
- Sen. Tom Young — Republican, chairman of South Carolina’s Senate Special Committee on Artificial Intelligence.
- Sen. Matt Leber — Republican, member of the South Carolina AI committee.
- Homayoun Valafar — Director of the University of South Carolina’s AI Institute, expert witness to the state committee.
Timeline
- 2024 – Obernolte chairs the bipartisan House Task Force on AI; final report released in December.
- May 2025 – The “Take it Down Act,” one of the 85 proposals, is signed into law, creating penalties for non-consensual intimate images, including AI-generated deepfakes.
- January 2026 – Obernolte and Trahan release the draft Great American AI Act.
- September 16 2026 – South Carolina’s Senate Special Committee on AI holds its inaugural hearing, beginning a multi-year study slated to run through 2028.
Data & Statistics
- 85 concrete policy recommendations were agreed upon by a bipartisan group of 24 Representatives in the 2024 task-force report.
- The report spans 273 pages.
- South Carolina is among 17 states that have not yet defined AI in law, while 33 states have adopted definitions.
Official Statements & Responses
Obernolte warned that real dangers lie in malicious uses of AI by criminals, hostile nations, or terrorists, rather than speculative “Terminator-style” scenarios. He noted White House concerns that “over-regulation” could erode the United States’ competitive edge against China.
South Carolina legislators framed the state’s effort as proactive. Matt Leber likened early oversight to preventing a “toaster” from burning a house down. AI Institute director Homayoun Valafar urged the committee to “embrace” the technology, citing cost savings and efficiency gains.
Why It Matters / Impact
Federal AI regulation could shape privacy protections, labor markets, and national security. Proponents argue that clear guardrails will prevent misuse while preserving U.S. leadership in AI research and commercialization. State-level actions, such as South Carolina’s committee, illustrate a patchwork of local approaches that could complement or complicate a future federal framework.
What’s Next
Congress aims to consolidate the fragmented AI proposals into a single bill by the end of the current year, pending committee approvals. Meanwhile, South Carolina’s AI committee will continue hearings and issue recommendations through 2028, seeking to define the state’s regulatory stance and potential adoption of AI tools across government functions.