House Adjourns for Midterm Campaigning, Delaying Action on Artificial Intelligence Guardrails

The U.S. House of Representatives adjourned on Wednesday, effectively deferring federal legislative action on artificial intelligence safety until after the upcoming November midterm elections. The early recess leaves pressing regulatory proposals sidelined despite increasing demands from leading AI developers and safety advocates for federal oversight.

The legislative pause follows appeals from top technology companies—including OpenAI, Anthropic, and xAI—seeking federal regulatory frameworks. Concerns over AI safety intensified after an Anthropic researcher resigned, claiming that the technology "could kill us all by the end of the decade." However, the urgency expressed by tech firms has not led to legislative movement on Capitol Hill, where lawmakers are focused on midterms taking place in under seven weeks. President Donald Trump has opposed stringent AI rules, dismissing reported risks as a "hoax."

House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., cancelled scheduled floor business for Thursday to allow representatives to return to their districts. "It's time for our members to go home to their districts and make their case to the American people," Johnson told reporters, according to MS NOW. Johnson indicated that any near-term legislative action rests with the Senate, which remains in session for two additional weeks. Earlier in the week, Johnson cautioned against hasty regulation, arguing that rushing AI restrictions could benefit China in the global technology race.

The decision to adjourn early drew sharp criticism from Democrats and select Republicans, according to reporting by CNBC Business. Rep. Sam Liccardo, D-Calif., who represents a portion of Silicon Valley, led 107 House Democrats in signing a Tuesday letter asking Johnson to keep the House in session. The lawmakers wrote that "while AI safety experts and Americans increasingly urge action to confront this conflagration of risk, Congress fiddles," noting that post-recess floor time was spent on "performative resolutions opposing socialism" before resuming a six-week recess.

Speaking to CNBC Business, Liccardo warned that "our children will not forgive us for our inaction," adding that "there is no human that wins a race to superintelligence that is beyond the control of humans." Liccardo criticized Congress for leaving town to campaign, contrasting lawmakers with Nero. He urged immediate consideration of the Frontier Act, a bipartisan proposal sponsored by Reps. Jay Obernolte, R-Calif., and Lori Trahan, D-Mass. The bill would mandate third-party safety audits, increase transparency, and grant the Commerce Department power to restrict models posing an "imminent catastrophic risk." Liccardo also suggested requiring a model "kill switch" and offering narrow antitrust exemptions so AI companies can collaborate on safety.

Other lawmakers have also pushed for legislative movement before year-end. Obernolte and Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick, R-Pa., joined Democrats in urging Johnson and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., to "as soon as practicable, advance legislation that ensures appropriate guardrails are in place around this powerful technology." Speaking after Wednesday's votes, Obernolte declared that "the urgency of the moment requires action by Congress before the end of the year," though he acknowledged that "nothing meaningful was going to get done on AI regulation in advance of the election."

Obernolte plans to combine the Frontier Act with the Great American Artificial Intelligence Act—a comprehensive regulatory framework he developed with Trahan—when the House reconvenes. Meanwhile, Senate Commerce Committee Chair Ted Cruz, R-Texas, Sen. Amy Klobuchar, D-Minn., and Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., are drafting an unreleased safety bill. Cruz told reporters a committee vote could occur by month's end, stating, "I hope so; we're working hard on it. The question is, do we get bipartisan agreement?" Johnson stated the House would return within 48 hours if the Senate passes substantive legislation, though that commitment was not limited to AI policy.