Problem Solvers Caucus Launches AI Working Group as 43% Back Slower, Safer U.S. Development
Updated
Updated · POLITICO · Sep 17
Problem Solvers Caucus Launches AI Working Group as 43% Back Slower, Safer U.S. Development
2 articles · Updated · POLITICO · Sep 17
Summary
A bipartisan Problem Solvers Caucus working group opened Thursday as Congress remains split over whether AI safety rules should slow U.S. competition with China.
A new POLITICO poll captured that divide: 43% said it is acceptable for the U.S. to fall behind to build AI more responsibly, while 37% prioritized staying ahead; Trump voters favored the competition-first view 50% to 34% among Harris voters.
That tension is already stalling legislation. Sen. Rand Paul blocked Sen. John Kennedy’s AI “kill switch” bill, and House Energy and Commerce Chair Brett Guthrie said his panel may delay action until next year.
Senate Commerce Chair Ted Cruz still hopes to mark up a bipartisan Thune-Klobuchar AI safety bill this month, but no final agreement is in place and Thune said he is unsure it will move before the midterms.
Industry divisions are also widening: OpenAI backed mandated independent AI monitoring, while Anthropic declined to endorse the proposal, adding to the long odds for a congressional consensus in the lame-duck session.