Washington Takes Aim at AI: Bipartisan Senate Bill Proposes New Federal Agency to Regulate Big Tech

Washington Takes Aim at AI: Bipartisan Senate Bill Proposes New Federal Agency to Regulate Big Tech
WASHINGTON D.C. – In a landmark move signaling a new era of government oversight for the artificial intelligence industry, a bipartisan group of U.S. Senators today introduced sweeping legislation aimed at regulating the development of advanced AI systems. The proposed bill, titled the “AI Safety and Innovation Act,” calls for the creation of a new federal agency and a mandatory licensing framework for companies building powerful AI models, putting the nation’s tech giants on notice.
The legislation, co-sponsored by Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) and Senator John Thune (R-SD), represents the most significant effort yet by Congress to impose guardrails on a technology that is evolving at a breathtaking pace. The move comes amid a rising chorus of concern from lawmakers, industry experts, and the public over the potential risks of unchecked AI, including its capacity for spreading misinformation, disrupting the job market, and the potential for autonomous systems to operate without human control.
At the heart of the proposal is the establishment of a “Federal AI Commission” (FAIC), a new regulatory body with the authority to oversee the safety, security, and ethical implications of advanced AI.
“Artificial intelligence holds immense promise to revolutionize our economy and improve our lives, but we cannot afford to be naive about the profound risks,” said Senator Schumer in a press conference announcing the bill. “This is not about stifling innovation; it’s about steering it in a direction that is safe, responsible, and aligned with our nation’s values. We need a cop on the beat for AI, and that’s what this commission will be.”
Under the proposed framework, companies developing “high-impact” AI models—defined by their computational power and capabilities—would be required to obtain a license from the new commission before they can be released to the public. To secure a license, companies would have to demonstrate that their systems have undergone rigorous safety testing, risk assessments, and have implemented safeguards against misuse.
“For too long, the approach in Washington has been to let technology develop first and ask questions later. With AI, the stakes are simply too high for that,” stated Senator Thune. “This commonsense, bipartisan bill ensures that American innovation continues to lead the world, but does so within a framework of accountability. It establishes clear rules of the road so that developers know what is expected of them and the public can have confidence in the technology they use.”
The introduction of the bill follows a series of high-profile hearings and closed-door sessions with tech CEOs, who have themselves called for some form of regulation, though opinions on the specifics vary widely. The reaction from Silicon Valley is expected to be mixed, with some companies likely to welcome the regulatory clarity while others may raise concerns about potential bureaucratic hurdles and the impact on smaller startups.
The “AI Safety and Innovation Act” now faces a long legislative journey, including committee hearings and debates in both the Senate and the House. However, its strong bipartisan backing marks a pivotal moment, shifting the conversation from if the U.S. should regulate AI to how.