Bipartisan Lawmakers Release Draft “Great American AI Act”
Reps. Jay Obernolte (R-CA) and Lori Trahan (D-MA) have unveiled a bipartisan discussion draft of the Great American AI Act, a proposal designed to establish a clear federal framework for governing artificial intelligence in the United States. Released to solicit public and stakeholder feedback ahead of formal introduction, the draft aims to balance rapid innovation with safeguards by promoting U.S. leadership in AI, setting consistent national standards to avoid a fragmented state-by-state approach, and introducing stronger accountability and protections for workers, consumers, and national security as the technology continues to evolve. While this is the first comprehensive bipartisan legislative marker put out this Congress, the draft has already received pushback from members of both parties. House Democrats have mainly been concerned of the inclusion of language to preempt state laws for at least three years. The Democratic House Commission on AI has indicated it does not support the draft in its current form. House Republicans are concerned changes could inhibit innovation in the space.
Still, the bipartisan nature of the draft does indicate areas of some agreement that could be worked out further through the Committee process or other iterations of the bill.
