House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.) on Sunday called for immediate congressional action to regulate artificial intelligence, warning that the technology's rapid development poses significant risks to Americans.
In an interview on ABC's "This Week," Jeffries told host George Stephanopoulos, "We certainly need to begin to act urgently to address the challenges that exist." He said AI regulation would be a "high priority" during his caucus's closed-door meeting scheduled for Tuesday.
Jeffries's remarks come amid growing concerns from AI researchers about the potential dangers of advanced models. Jacob Coxon, who recently resigned from Anthropic, warned on social media platform X that those building the technology "earnestly believe that [AI] could kill us all by the end of the decade." Coxon added, "Do not underestimate the power of this technology. These will soon be superhuman systems that can hack anything, revolutionize any field overnight, and acquire real power and resources."
The New York Democrat sharply criticized House Republicans for what he called abandoning "their responsibility" on AI oversight. He specifically pointed to GOP leaders canceling the final two weeks of the House's September session, which he said stalled progress on critical legislation. Jeffries also took aim at Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) for disbanding a bipartisan AI safety task force at the start of the 119th Congress.
In response, Jeffries announced that House Democrats have launched their own commission on AI. He said his colleagues will "present an aggressive framework" designed to shield Americans from potential harms. "We should take decisive action now so that we can slow down ... the pace of development in order to protect the American people and ensure that AI is proceeding safely," he told Stephanopoulos.
Johnson, appearing on NBC's "Meet the Press" the same day, defended the GOP's approach, saying he would reconvene the House "if we had the solution" on AI regulation. "This is a very important issue, and it's not one that we can rush into," Johnson told host Kristen Welker.
The divide over AI policy mirrors broader tensions in Congress, where Democrats increasingly push for proactive oversight while Republicans emphasize caution against stifling innovation. Jeffries's call for urgency aligns with donors returning to the Democratic fold, signaling heightened party focus on tech accountability.
As the 2028 presidential race begins to take shape, governors are emerging as early front-runners, and AI regulation could become a defining issue in the primary debates. Jeffries's push may also resonate with progressive voters, who have watched democratic socialists gain influence within the party, often advocating for stronger corporate oversight.
With the House in recess and no immediate votes scheduled on AI, the clash between Democratic urgency and Republican restraint is likely to intensify as the 119th Congress progresses.
