Cybersecurity Policy Report, House Republicans Join Democrats in Call for AI Security Legislation, (Sep 17, 2026)
Three House Republicans have joined seven Democrats to urge House leadership to allow lawmakers to “immediately take up legislation that would strengthen AI oversight, security, and transparency.”
The lawmakers’ letter to House Speaker Mike Johnson (R., La.) and Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D., N.Y.) cites recent disclosures from AI (artificial intelligence) developers about out-of-control AI agents that went on hacking sprees.
Those incidents show that Congress “cannot rely on what are clearly risky testing protocols and self-selected public reporting of incidents of concern,” they said. “Congress has a singular opportunity to respond swiftly and effectively to these warning shots before true catastrophes occur.”
“There currently exist dozens of bipartisan bills that committees of jurisdiction have reported,” they noted. “We believe these bills should be carefully and urgently advanced through the legislative process.”
“We urge you to work with committees of jurisdiction, Members across the aisle, and Senate leadership to, as soon as practicable, advance legislation that ensures appropriate guardrails are in place around this powerful technology. The Congress may not receive another warning shot,” they warned.
In recent days, 107 House Democrats urged Speaker Johnson to cancel a scheduled House recess to enable lawmakers to consider AI security legislation (CPR, Sept. 16).
The letter to Speaker Johnson and Minority Leader Jeffries was signed by Reps. Don Beyer (D., Va.), Jay Obernolte (R., Calif.), Lori Trahan (D., Mass), Ted Lieu (D., Calif.), Scott Franklin (R., Fla.), Sara Jacobs (D., Calif.), Gabe Amo (D., R.I.), Valerie Foushee (D., N.C.), Brian Fitzpatrick (R., Pa.), and Veronica Escobar (D., Texas).
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