House AI Guardrails May Not Advance Until 2027

House Energy and Commerce Chair Warns AI Bill May Stall in Lame‑Duck Session

WASHINGTON — House Energy and Commerce Committee chair Brett Guthrie (R‑Ky.) cautioned on Wednesday that a broad, bipartisan bill on artificial intelligence (AI) may not move forward before the end of the 2024 congressional term. The Republican warned that lawmakers should resist rushing the legislation through a lame‑duck session after the mid‑term elections.

Guthrie told reporters that although the bill has garnered bipartisan support, the committee’s work must be thorough. “A sweeping bipartisan AI bill may not advance this year,” he said. He added that lawmakers should be wary of “rushing legislation through a lame‑duck session” in a way that could compromise its effectiveness or the thoroughness of oversight.

The House Energy and Commerce Committee, which has jurisdiction over technology and commerce matters, has been reviewing the proposed legislation. The bill aims to address key AI issues—including consumer protection, privacy safeguards, and the regulation of AI‑driven products and services—but it has yet to move beyond the committee stage.

Guthrie’s remarks came after the committee held a hearing on the bill, where industry experts and privacy advocates offered testimony. While the legislation enjoys support from members of both parties, the chair stressed the need for careful deliberation to avoid the pitfalls that can accompany hastily crafted laws.

The bill’s future depends on the committee’s scheduling and the priorities of the incoming Congress, which will convene after the November elections. Until then, it remains uncertain whether the legislation will be enacted in the current session.