Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) said Congress has a responsibility to address artificial intelligence policy, while urging restraint in regulation. On his first day back after a five-week break, Thune told reporters he believes there are "some potential consequential risks associated with AI," and that "guardrails" for cutting-edge, frontier AI models "make sense." At the same time he warned that there are always voices emphasizing worst-case scenarios.
Trump claims sole presidential control
Public positions differ sharply. President Donald Trump posted on Truth Social that "the only control or 'guardrails' that AI needs is a STRONG AND SMART (High IQ!) PRESIDENT, and the U.S.A. has that, in spades," effectively asserting that the president should have sole authority over AI regulation. By contrast, Democratic figures including House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.) have urged slowing the pace of AI development to avoid potentially catastrophic outcomes.
Legislative posture and party differences
Republican leaders generally do not dispute Trump’s capacity to lead U.S. AI policy, but many say Congress also has a role and they are not ruling out legislation. Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) said, "So we may need to do something. But there are existing guardrails, and corporate responsibility is a big part of this."
Thune said he spoke with Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.) about a bill that would require companies building frontier AI models to mitigate catastrophic risks and submit to federal oversight. He added he has been working with Commerce Chair Ted Cruz (R-Tex.) to reintroduce the bill "hopefully soon." Meanwhile, House GOP leaders have given no sign they will keep the chamber in session beyond this week to work on AI legislation. Rep. Jay Obernolte (R-Calif.), the lead Republican on the FRONTIER Act, said he is not sure that staying in session for more weeks in September would catalyze such legislation.
Energy concerns and data centers
Earlier phases of the Washington debate over AI — including in Senate races — focused heavily on data centers and the amount of electricity they consume. Republicans and the White House want to reassure voters they will not face higher utility bills because of data center demand. Thune left open the possibility the Senate could vote on a version of the House’s Ratepayer Protection Act, which aims to ensure communities are not forced to pay more for increased energy use by data centers. The House is expected to vote on that bill on Tuesday.
Thune’s experience and the broader dynamic
Thune's years working on AI legislation and his prior role as chair of the Commerce Committee, which has jurisdiction over AI matters, give him relevant expertise. That familiarity contrasts with many lawmakers who have little direct experience with AI; Speaker Johnson said on a podcast that he has never used an AI chatbot and noted, "Congress is not the expert on this subject because we are not in the frontier labs with them."
Bottom line
Thune signaled openness to measured regulation that would not stifle innovation while seeking ways to mitigate more advanced threats. He also said he believes the U.S. is in a race with China and reiterated that AI carries significant potential upside.
