Scoop: Mike Johnson urged to cancel House recess over AI warnings

A letter circulating among House members is urging Speaker Mike Johnson to bring the House back into session immediately and keep it in session until Congress passes AI safeguards. Members of both parties have proposed drastic action after warnings from current and former Anthropic researchers that AI could potentially kill off humanity within the next decade.

The letter, drafted by Sam Liccardo (D-Calif.) and co-signed by George Whitesides (D-Calif.) and Lori Trahan (D-Mass.), calls for urgent action to address the catastrophic risk posed by advanced artificial intelligence. The House, which reconvenes next Monday, is scheduled to be in session for just one more week before taking a month and a half-long recess, returning on November 9.

Despite the growing urgency from rank-and-file members, congressional leadership has largely remained silent. Johnson is set to vote next week on a bill to prevent data centers from driving up Americans' energy costs, but has not indicated any plans to vote on AI regulations before Election Day. The letter highlights various bipartisan bills proposed to regulate AI, including the AI Kill Switch Act and the FRONTIER Act, arguing that they deserve consideration, public debate, thoughtful amendment, and action.

Congressional inaction on AI is likened to inaction that would be "inexplicable and unforgivable" in the eyes of future generations.