February 23: This week in AI federal policy
DC/ai Decoded: A weekly newsletter on developments in artificial intelligence and quantum federal policy
This week decoded
This week in AI federal policy, President Trump will deliver the annual State of the Union address to Congress, where U.S. leadership in emerging technology is expected to take center stage. Shaping the week ahead, the White House unveiled a series of international initiatives advancing its AI sovereignty agenda, signaling a bid for global dominance in artificial intelligence.
NIST opened a public comment period on agentic AI, while Treasury released new AI resource guides for the financial sector.
Many of these policy moves were previewed during the India AI Impact Summit, where the White House emphasized its opposition to global AI governance frameworks.
Meanwhile, as the midterm elections draw closer, an increasing number of Congressional Democrats are weaving AI regulation into their campaign platforms.
Read more below
Congress
Hearings
This week
On February 24, the House Science, Space and Technology Investigations and Oversight Subcommittee holds a hearing on “Powering America’s AI Future: Assessing Policy Options to Increase Data Center Infrastructure.”
On February 24, the House Education and the Workforce Early Childhood, Elementary, and Secondary Education Subcommittee holds a hearing on “Building an AI-Ready America: Teaching in the AI Age.”
Upcoming
On March 17, the House Financial Services Committee holds a hearing on “Updating America’s Financial Privacy Framework for the 21st Century.”
On March 26, the House Financial Services Digital Assets, Financial Technology, and Artificial Intelligence Subcommittee holds a hearing on “Innovation at the Speed of Markets: How Regulators Keep Pace with Technology.”
Legislation
Reps. Mike Lawler (R-NY) and Josh Gottheimer (D-NJ) introduced the AI Workforce Training Act to safeguard American workers and businesses from being displaced by artificial intelligence (AI) and to ensure they are equipped with the skills needed to work effectively with these emerging technologies. (Text)
Reps. Don Davis (D-NC) and Ronny Jackson (R-TX) introduced the United States-Israel Framework for Upgraded Technologies, Unified Research, and Enhanced Security (FUTURES) Act to establish a United States–Israel Defense Technology Cooperation Initiative to accelerate the development and deployment of next-generation defense technologies, ensuring that investments in collaborative technologies deliver an operational edge to America’s servicemembers. Sens. Ted Budd (R-NC) and Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) introduced companion legislation in the Senate. (Text)
Correspondence
House Science, Space, and Technology Committee Chair Brian Babin (R-TX) and Research and Technology Subcommittee Chair Jay Obernolte (R-CA) sent a letter to Comptroller General Gene Dodaro requesting the Government Accountability Office conduct a “comprehensive review” of current federal and state laws regulating artificial intelligence to inform future legislative efforts. (Letter)
Sens. Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) and Marsha Blackburn (R-TN) sent a letter to the Chief Executive Officer of Miko, Inc., launching an investigation into why the company exposed sensitive data involving children through an unsecured, publicly accessible dataset. They also sent letters to FoloToy and Curio Interactive, Inc. following up on their previous letter asking what safeguards these companies have in place to protect kids from sexually explicit, violent, or otherwise inappropriate content. (Press release)
Reps. Gabe Evans (R-CO) and Nick Langworthy (R-NY) sent a letter to Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick highlight concerns with Colorado’s SB 205 and New York’s RAISE Act, warning that a growing patchwork of conflicting state AI laws risks undermining U.S. leadership. (Letter)
Publications, Meetings, and Events
Rep. Lori Trahan (D-MA) released a staff report entitled “Privacy, Trust, and Effective Government: A Bipartisan Blueprint for Modernizing the Privacy Act” outlining a bipartisan framework to modernize the Privacy Act of 1974. (Report)
Rep. Rich McCormick (R-GA) published an op-ed in the Washington Times entitled “America’s AI Future Runs on Energy, Not Bureaucracy,” saying, “America risks falling behind not because we lack talent or innovation but because red tape is painfully slowing the process and, too often, stopping projects before they ever break ground. While we struggle with lengthy approvals and uncertainty, China is moving fast. It has rapidly expanded power generation and data center capacity to support industries that require lots of computing power and resources. Experts estimate that China accounted for more than half of global electricity demand growth in 2024 alone. That ability to build quickly gives China a strategic advantage we cannot afford to ignore.” (Op-ed)
Trump Administration
White House
At the India AI Impact Summit 2026, White House Office of Science and Technology Policy Director Michael Kratsios announced several U.S. initiatives to accelerate global adoption of the American AI stack through the American AI Exports Program:
American AI Exports Program’s National Champions Initiative within the Commerce Department to match partner nations’ leading AI companies into customized American AI Export stacks.
U.S. Tech Corps within the Peace Corps to provide volunteer technical talent with import partners to provide support in deploying AI applications in public services.
International financing funds from the Treasury Department and implemented at the World Bank and programs launched at the Export-Import Bank, the U.S. International Development Finance Corporation, the State Department, and the Small Business Administration.
NIST/CAISI’s AI Agent Standards Initiative to facilitate the development of interoperable and secure standards for agentic AI. (Press release)
Treasury Department
Treasury released two new resources to guide AI use in the financial sector, a shared Artificial Intelligence Lexicon and the Financial Services AI Risk Management Framework (FS AI RMF), to provide common terminology and risk management practices for AI, developed through the Financial and Banking Information Infrastructure Committee and the Financial Services Sector Coordinating Council’s Artificial Intelligence Executive Oversight Group (AIEOG). (Publications)
National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST)
The Center for AI Standards and Innovation (CAISI) published an RFI seeking insights regarding the secure development and deployment of AI agent systems. They specifically request information on unique security threats affecting AI agent systems, and how these threats may change over time; methods for improving the security of AI agent systems in development and deployment; promise of and possible gaps in existing cybersecurity approaches when applied to AI agent systems; methods for measuring the security of AI agent systems and approaches to anticipating risks during development; and interventions in deployment environments to address security risks affecting AI agent systems, including methods to constrain and monitor the extent of agent access in the deployment environment. (Request for Information)
Department of Transportation
On March 10, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration holds a meeting to provide updates and insights into ongoing vehicle automation activities across NHTSA.
Noteworthy Quotes and Events
ADMINISTRATION
White House
At the India AI Impact Summit 2026, White House Office of Science and Technology Policy Director Michael Kratsios said, “As the Trump Administration has now said many times: We totally reject global governance of AI. AI adoption cannot lead to a brighter future if it is subject to bureaucracies and centralized control.” (France24)
Kratsios also delivered remarks saying, “Real AI sovereignty means owning and using best-in-class technology for the benefit of your people, and charting your national destiny in the midst of global transformations. It does not mean waiting to participate in an AI-enabled global market until you have tried and failed to build full self-sufficiency. Complete technological self-containment is unrealistic for any country, because the AI stack is incredibly complex. But strategic autonomy alongside rapid AI adoption is achievable, and it is a necessity for independent nations. America wants to help.” (Remarks)
At the India AI Impact Summit, White House’s senior policy adviser on artificial intelligence Sriram Krishnan said, “I do think the atmosphere in the EU needs to change and be more focused on innovation, less focused on governance and less focused on doomerism.” He added, “The EU AI Act, which I have ranted about before this job, during this job, maybe after this job ... it’s not really conducive to an entrepreneur who wants to build basic technology.” (Politico)
Treasury Department
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent delivered remarks at the Economic Club of Dallas, saying, “The global economy is undergoing a period of rapid transformation with breakthrough advances in artificial intelligence, quantum computing, and advanced manufacturing. The countries that adopt and deploy these technologies most effectively will shape the next era of growth, and the world is counting on America to lead as we always have. For 250 years, American innovation has been our decisive advantage. We are in an existential battle to maintain and accelerate technological dominance. The production and development of AI infrastructure will be crucial to both economic growth and national security in this next industrial revolution. Beyond production, leadership in AI adoption is another crucial component of economic security. At Treasury, through the Financial Stability Oversight Council, we are working with regulators and industry leaders to further responsible AI use in the financial system. We are optimizing regulation for growth: moving from a posture focused solely on constraint toward one that recognizes that failure to adopt productivity-enhancing technology is itself a risk.” (Remarks)
The Treasury Department posted “In support of the President’s AI Action Plan, which calls for clear standards, shared understanding, and risk-based governance to ensure artificial intelligence is deployed safely and responsibly, the U.S. Department of the Treasury today released two new resources to guide AI use in the financial sector, a shared Artificial Intelligence Lexicon and the Financial Services AI Risk Management Framework (FS AI RMF).”
Treasury also posted “In support of POTUS’ AI Action Plan, the U.S. Department of the Treasury today announced the conclusion of a major public-private initiative to strengthen cybersecurity and risk management for artificial intelligence in the financial services sector.”
Secretary Bessent posted “As this Administration has made clear, it is imperative that the United States take the lead on developing innovative uses for artificial intelligence, and nowhere is that more important than in the financial sector. This work demonstrates that government and industry can come together to support secure AI adoption that increases the resilience of our financial system.”
Federal Reserve
Fed Governor Michael Barr delivered remarks at the New York Association for Business Economics entitled “What Will Artificial Intelligence Mean for the Labor Market and the Economy?“ He concluded, “I expect that AI will have a transformative effect on the economy and affect a large share of workers in ways that will challenge the ability of the private and public sectors to accommodate this adjustment. In the longer run, I expect AI will boost productivity and living standards, and it may even lead to new discoveries. Society will need to be nimble and bold to reduce the pain of short-term dislocations for workers and to ensure that the benefits are broadly shared. Widespread AI adoption will very likely lead to dramatic and sometimes difficult changes in the way many of us work and live, but the long-term benefits could be even more dramatic.” (Remarks)
CONGRESS
On AI and data center growth, Rep. Pramila Jayapal (D-WA) said, “It’s kind of an incredible opportunity for local organizing, because these communities are coming together and saying, ‘Hey, I don’t want my water contaminated, I don’t want my utility prices going up, I don’t want jobs disappearing.’”
Rep. Ro Khanna (D-CA) said, “We need to make sure that we’re on the side of people, not automation. Will the AI revolution benefit all of us or will it benefit them?”
Rep. Yvette Clarke (D-NY) posted, “Welcome to our first post in our series on Digital Blackface in the World of AI. Today, we’re exploring the long history of the exploitation of Black creativity for the sake of someone else’s profits, and the abuse of Black creators by a system built upon their continued control and suppression. The stories of ‘Big Mama’ Thornton, Hattie McDaniel, and Sam Moore offer stunning insight into not only the vast hurdles and hardships that these few Black artists faced in their own lifetimes, but a glimpse into the despicable conditions that have confronted our greatest talents throughout history. We must understand that these are examples of a pattern, and not exceptions to a rule that persists to this day.”
Clarke also posted “In this next post in our series on Digital Blackface in the World of AI, we turn to the present moment, where the patterns of appropriation have simply evolved with technology. From viral reaction memes built on the faces and expressions of Black creators, to fake accounts made to spread racist, Pro-MAGA agendas through the likeness of non-consenting Black folks, social media has become a new frontier for an old practice. What looks like “internet humor” or “just a trend” often echoes a deeper history: Black expression consumed, exploited, and monetized—while Black people themselves remain underpaid or excluded from the profits our image and culture generates. If we are serious about equity in the age of AI, we must confront how frequently Black identity becomes performance material for clicks, clout, and corporate gain.”
House Foreign Affairs Committee posted “The Trump administration is working around the clock to win the AI Arms Race. The U.S. Tech Corps brings the Peace Corps into the 21st Century and helps countries experience the prosperity and security of building on the trusted American AI stack.”
Rep. Steve Cohen (D-TN) posted “Trump is turning the EPA into the Environmental POLLUTION Agency. By killing the endangerment finding, they are endangering all of us. More cities full of smog, more pollution and health problems, more irreversible impacts to nature and wildlife—that’s what they’re giving us. So much for MAHA. It’s another reason why I won’t stop fighting Trump’s EPA. I led Democrats demanding transparency on Clean Air Act violators, I introduced the Clean Cloud Act w/ SenWhitehouse to put real standards and PENALTIES on AI data centers & cryptominers, and we are not slowing down. More to come.”
Rep. Gabe Evans (R-CO) posted “AI is a game changing technology, and there can be only one global leader. If America does not win the AI race, communist China will. I joined RepLangworthy in sending Howard Lutnick, the US Secretary of Commerce a letter highlighting concerns with burdensome state AI regulations, urging a coherent national framework that protects consumers without stopping innovation.”
Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) posted “Do you think Elon Musk, Mark Zuckerberg and Jeff Bezos are investing in AI to help the working class of this country? No, they’re in it to accumulate even more wealth and power for themselves. We’ve got to make AI work for working people, not just for billionaires.”
Sen. John Cornyn (R-TX) posted “AI Can Help Defend Against Cyberattacks”
Sen. Jerry Moran (R-KS) posted “Rural small businesses face limited resources & workforce shortages, & AI has tremendous potential to fill in the gaps. SenatorCantwell and I introduced a bill to help businesses in KS & across the country utilize AI to meet their needs, expand & innovate.”
Rep. Mike Lawler (R-NY) posted “The CHAT Act zeros in on AI and the potential harm that it can cause to our youth. We have seen in just the last 2 years how prevalent AI applications have become, how accessible to our kids, and we as elected officials have a responsibility to work with big tech to address these concerns.”
House Financial Services GOP posted “We welcome USTreasury’s public-private initiative to advance the President’s AI Action Plan. The Committee’s bipartisan resolution highlights the importance of secure AI in financial services to protect consumers, unlock innovation, and ensure U.S. global leadership on AI.”
Rep. Rich McCormick (R-GA) posted “My staff sent me this picture — my op-ed in print, sitting on the coffee table in my office. The message is simple: the AI race will be won by those who can power it. Right now, red tape is slowing America down. We need reliable, abundant energy to lead. ENERGY, SecretaryWright, housescience, let’s unleash American innovation through comprehensive federal strategy and win the AI race!”
Sen. Chris Murphy (D-CT) posted “Big tech is trying to buy the 2026 elections. Flooding the airwaves and your feed with ads to elect candidates who won’t protect your kids from online addiction and won’t stand in the way of AI stealing your jobs.”
Sen. Mark Warner (D-VA) posted “AI has some incredible applications, but it also will likely upend our economy and make it harder for young adults to find jobs. I’m deeply concerned, and I’m focused every week on finding solutions for us to help ease the transition and help folks land in good-paying jobs.”
Sen. Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) posted “So let’s get this straight: Hegseth wants AI to be programmed to kill people WITHOUT any human authorization or intervention? Is he trying to devise a system to shield himself and others from allegations of war crimes?”
Rep. Josh Gottheimer (D-NJ) posted “AI is already changing how we work, and we can’t let the American worker get left behind. My bipartisan bill with RepMikeLawler will help workers build critical AI skills, boost productivity, and strengthen our economy — all while keeping the U.S. at the front of the pack.”
Rep. Nathaniel Moran (R-TX) posted “Creative arts can only touch, move, and inspire the soul if they emanate from the soul. AI is a tool for humans, but it is not a replacement. I co-authored the NO FAKES Act not only to protect artists from the unauthorized use of their voices, likenesses, and identities through AI-generated content, but also to preserve the integrity of creative work in the modern era by keeping it tethered to a human soul.”
Rep. Victoria Spartz (R-IN) posted “The worst AI does is answer political and policy questions since politicians mainly repeat talking points, BS, and lies — most public data is pretty much garbage, and decisions are made behind closed doors. So it’s garbage in, garbage out.”
Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) posted “AI tools can offer real benefits for older Americans and people with disabilities, but we must make sure our seniors are protected from potential scams. As ranking member of the Senate Aging committee, I’m pushing make sure older Americans can use this technology safely.”
What I’m Reading This Week
Is AI sovereignty possible? Balancing Autonomy and Interdependence, Brooke Tanner, Cameron F. Kerry, Andrew W. Wyckoff, Nicoleta Kyosovska, Andrea Renda, and Elham Tabassi, Brookings.
The Sovereignty Gap in U.S. AI Statecraft, Pablo Chavez, Lawfare.
AI is global — and regulation is struggling to keep up, Nick Brett, The Times.
AI Can Help Defend Against Cyberattacks, Anne Neuberger, Wall Street Journal.
From Davos to New Delhi, Rupture of Global Order Tests AI Governance, Alison Gillwald, Tech Policy Press.
Democrats Run on AI Policy in 2026 Campaigns, Ashley Gold, Axios.
About Zero One Strategies
Zero One Strategies is a specialized government relations practice dedicated to navigating the complex landscape of U.S. federal policy in emerging technologies. As advancements in technology continue to outpace regulatory frameworks, Zero One Strategies aims to provide strategic guidance and bipartisan advocacy for innovators and businesses operating at the forefront of technological development.
The practice focuses on key areas such as artificial intelligence, digital assets, blockchain, decentralized technologies, cybersecurity, data, and digital infrastructure, as well as the multiple policy issues impacting these sectors, including tax and financial services.
Contact us at Stacey@ZeroOneStrategies.com
