February 17, 2025
This week decoded
Vice President JD Vance delivered remarks at the AI Action Summit in Paris, in which he outlined the Trump Administration’s America-first, pro-growth approach to the regulation of AI.
In Congress, working groups were established dedicated to powering AI and advancing a comprehensive data privacy standard. Access to data and use of AI within and across federal agencies by Elon Musk and DOGE teams continues to be a major point of focus for many members of Congress. Hearings and correspondence focused on AI ranging from manufacturing, National Labs oversight, national defense, public health, child safety, border security, energy costs, and nominations.
Read more below
Congress
Hearings
- Last week
- On February 12, the House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Commerce, Manufacturing, and Trade held a hearing on AI in Manufacturing: Securing American Leadership in Manufacturing and the Next Generation of Technologies.
- On February 12, the House Science, Space, and Technology Subcommittee on Energy held a hearing on National Laboratories Oversight which included the role of artificial intelligence in defense and scientific advancement.
- On February 12, the House Armed Services Committee held a hearing on Convergent Global Threats that touched upon cyber artificial intelligence.
- This week
- The House is in recess.
- On February 20, the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources will hold a hearing to Examine Research Security Risks Posed by Foreign Nationals from Countries of Risk Working at the Department of Energy’s National Laboratories and Necessary Mitigation Steps.
- Upcoming
- On February 26, the House Small Business Committee will hold a hearing on Fostering American Innovation: Insights into SBIR (Small Business Innovation Research) and STTR (Small Business Technology Transfer) Programs.
Legislation
- The Senate passed S. 146, Tools to Address Known Exploitation by Immobilizing Technological Deepfakes on Websites and Networks (TAKE IT DOWN) Act sponsored by Sens. Ted Cruz (R-TX) and Amy Klobuchar (D-MN). The bill would establish a new criminal offense for intentional disclosure of intimate visual depictions of an identifiable individual who is not a minor. Specifically, the bill makes it unlawful for any person, in interstate or foreign commerce, to knowingly publish an intimate visual depiction of a minor who is a minor with intent to (1) humiliate, harass, degrade, or degrade the minor, or (2) gratify the sexual desire of any person. (Text)
- Rep. Gus Bilirakis (R-FL) introduced H.R. 1283 To amend title 18, United States Code, to prohibit child pornography produced using artificial intelligence. (Text)
- Sen. Dan Sullivan (R-AK) introduced a package of bills on security in the Middle East, including the United States-Israel Defense Partnership Act of 2025, which would authorize cooperation between the United States and Israel on emerging defense technologies for 5 years (United States-Israel Future of Warfare Act) and provide $47.5 million a year to encourage further defense collaboration with Israel in areas of emerging technologies, including autonomous systems, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, quantum, and biotechnology. (Press release)
- Sens. Ted Budd (R-NC) and Ed Markey (D-MA) introduced the Strategy for Public Health Preparedness and Response to Artificial Intelligence Threats Act to require the Secretary of Health and Human Services to develop a strategy for public health preparedness and response to address the risks of misuse of artificial intelligence, particularly with regard to the development of biological or chemical weapons. (Press release)
Correspondence
- Sens. Mazie Hirono (D-HI), Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY), and 13 Democratic Senators sent a letter to Acting Secretary of the Department of Education Denise Carter requesting information about DOGE’s access to federal student loan data and any other sensitive databases, including reports DOGE “fed sensitive data from across the Education Department into artificial intelligence software to probe the agency’s programs and spending.” (Letter) (Press release)
- Sen. Dick Durbin (D-IL) sent a letter to Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg requesting information on Meta’s role in directing users to an app used to create nonconsensual deepfake intimate imagery. (Letter)(Press release)
- House Financial Services Committee Ranking Member Maxine Waters (D-CA) sent a letter to the Comptroller General of the Government Accountability Office (GAO) Eugene Dodaro, following up on a 2023 request for an examination of the impact of artificial intelligence (AI) on access to fair and affordable housing. (Letter)(Press release)
- Reps. Morgan Luttrell (R-TX) and Lou Correa (D-CA) re-introduced the Emerging Innovative Border Technologies Act that would require the Department of Homeland Security to present a plan to Congress for integrating technologies like artificial intelligence, machine learning, and nanotechnology into border security operations. (Text) (Press release)
- Sens. Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Cory Booker (D-NJ), Mark Kelly (D-AZ), and Tim Kaine (D-VA) wrote to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) urging its commissioners to explore solutions to ensure that the increasing energy demands of data centers do not impact Americans’ electricity costs and services. (Letter)(Press release)
Reports and Publications
- The House Committee on Education and Workforce Subcommittee on Workforce Protections Ranking Member Ilhan Omar (D-MN) published Subcommittee Democrats’ agenda, including, “In the long-term, Rep. Omar will prioritize addressing the future of work and worker well-being to prepare the workforce for the challenges and opportunities of automation and artificial intelligence and making sure our workplace safety standards are up to par in emerging industries.” (Fact sheet)
- Sen. Todd Young (R-IN) published an op-ed in National Interest on A Tech Power Playbook for Donald Trump 2.0, saying “…tech power—AI, biotech, quantum, drones, and more—is fundamentally transforming our economy, security, and the very nature of global power” and laying out ways the “Trump administration can seize on the intersection of the president’s promises and the opportunities for peace, freedom, and prosperity that the dynamic technological revolution presents.” (Op-ed)
Caucuses and Working Groups
- Rep. Julie Fedorchak (R-ND) announced she is creating a working group of stakeholders to “focus on four key pillars aimed at developing a legislative framework to that will reliably, affordably, and sustainably power” AI. (Press release)
- House Committee on Energy and Commerce Chair Brett Guthrie (R-KY) and Rep. John Joyce (R-PA) announced the establishment of a comprehensive data privacy working group and invited input from stakeholders. They said in a statement, “We strongly believe that a national data privacy standard is necessary to protect Americans’ rights online and maintain our country’s global leadership in digital technologies, including artificial intelligence. That’s why we are creating this working group, to bring members and stakeholders together to explore a framework for legislation that can get across the finish line. The need for comprehensive data privacy is greater than ever, and we are hopeful that we can start building a strong coalition to address this important issue.” (Press release)
Trump – Vance Administration
Department of Education
- DOGE is reportedly considering replacing some contract workers who assess the data of students and parents with an artificial intelligence chat bot, according to internal department documents and communications. (New York Times)
Noteworthy Quotes and Events
ADMINISTRATION
White House
- Vice President JD Vance delivered remarks at the AI Action Summit, including,
- “Our administration, the Trump Administration, believes that AI will have countless revolutionary applications in economic innovation, job creation, national security, health care, free expression and beyond, and to restrict its development now would not only unfairly benefit incumbents in the space, it would mean paralyzing one of the most promising technologies we have seen in generations. Now with that in mind, I’d like to make four main points today. Number one, this administration will ensure that American AI technology continues to be the gold standard worldwide, and we are the partner of choice for others foreign countries, and certainly businesses, as they expand their own use of AI. Number two, we believe that excessive regulation of the AI sector could kill a transformative industry just as it’s taking off, and we’ll make every effort to encourage pro growth AI policies. And I like to see that the de-regulatory flavor making its way into a lot of the conversations this conference. Number three, we feel very strongly that AI must remain free from ideological bias, and that American AI will not be co-opted into a tool for authoritarian censorship. And finally, number four, the Trump administration will maintain a pro worker growth path for AI, so it can be a potent tool for job creation in the United States.”
- “With the President’s recent executive order on AI, we’re developing an AI action plan that avoids an overly precautionary regulatory regime while ensuring that all Americans benefit from the technology and its transformative potential. And we invite your countries to work with us and to follow that model if it makes sense for your nation. However, the Trump administration is troubled by reports that some foreign governments are considering tightening the screws on U.S. tech companies with international footprints. Now, America cannot and will not accept that, and we think it’s a terrible mistake, not just for the United States of America, but for your own countries.”
- “The AI future is not going to be won by hand-wringing about safety.” (Transcript)
- The White House tweeted, “VP JD Vance speaks at the AI Summit in Paris: ‘Hostile foreign adversaries have weaponized AI software to rewrite history, surveil users, and censor speech… I want to be clear – this Administration will block such efforts, full stop.’”
- VP JD Vance tweeted, “This administration will always focus on workers as we develop artificial intelligence technologies. American workers deserve a seat at the table as we develop new policies that will lead to higher wages, safer communities, and more prosperity across our country.”
CONGRESS
Vice President Vance Speech on AI
- Rep. Darrell Issa (R-CA) retweeted a Fox News story about Vice President Vance’s AI speech, saying, “This by JD Vance is one of the best speeches about AI I’ve ever heard. Read the transcript for yourself.”
- Sen. Mike Rounds (R-SD) tweeted, “Under the new administration, the United States is now pro growth, pro innovation and pro AI. Well done VP.”
- Rep. Tom Emmer (R-MN) tweeted, “With President Trump in office, we have the opportunity to guarantee the future of artificial intelligence is guided by Americans with American values. VP said it best: ‘This administration will ensure that American AI technology continues to be the gold standard worldwide.’”
- House Foreign Affairs Committee tweeted, “Vice President Vance is absolutely right – under President Trump’s America First agenda, American AI will stay American and will not support our adversaries.”
- Rep. Kevin Hern (R-OK) tweeted, “VP Vance is making it clear on his first trip abroad—America won’t back down. Especially when it comes to the future of AI. America will lead the way!”
Miscellaneous
- In a Senate Armed Services Committee hearing on NORTHCOM and SOUTHCOM Posture, Ranking Member Gary Peters (D-MI) asked witnesses Navy Adm. Alvin Holsey, Commander of the U.S. Southern Command and Air Force Gen. Gregory Guillot, Commander of the U.S. Northern Command and North American Aerospace Defense Command,
- Peters: “You both know the about the importance of artificial intelligence systems and the pivotal role that they play in informing commanders decisions by protecting are providing predictive analysis real time decision support, and enhance situational awareness and in a future conflict. Earlier this week, we received a classified briefing from CENTCOM commander General gorilla who shared those views as well. So my question to each of you is given the rapid advancements in AI, how do you see AI shaping the future of commanders decisions, making ability, defensive operations and weapons integration for both SOUTHCOM and NORTHCOM? And how can we be helpful in your efforts to to accelerate the use of these new technologies?”
- Guillot: “Senator, the use of AI is becoming more and more important in NORAD and NORTHCOM. We currently use some capabilities in helping us look at imagery and find assets or activities, with imagery using AI to help alert our intel analysts, anything in the future that you’ll see from us incorporating artificial intelligence, certainly, we’ll always have what we call the you know, the man on the loop, we will always have men and women that are accusing it, but we’re finding that we can go through reams and reams of information much quicker. And I and I think that I should point out we’re also looking to see what the adversary is doing with AI and how we might be vulnerable to them and their use of AI in our defensive capabilities.
- Holsey: “And Senator SOUTHCOM, where it’s gonna process now sending some of the senior leaders through training texted learn more about AI so we can continue to use it. Another thing we’re doing it at Jeff, South joint interagency task force south, we actually have an AI Marine, machine learning battle lab, we’re able to take 15 years of data based off a ship size, you think about drug smugglers, ship size, location, time of year, expect a route and now we can use that predictably to locate our assets to interdict them, and it’s been very successful, and we continue to look for some more support to get after that even faster.”
- Peters: “You both know the about the importance of artificial intelligence systems and the pivotal role that they play in informing commanders decisions by protecting are providing predictive analysis real time decision support, and enhance situational awareness and in a future conflict. Earlier this week, we received a classified briefing from CENTCOM commander General gorilla who shared those views as well. So my question to each of you is given the rapid advancements in AI, how do you see AI shaping the future of commanders decisions, making ability, defensive operations and weapons integration for both SOUTHCOM and NORTHCOM? And how can we be helpful in your efforts to to accelerate the use of these new technologies?”
- In the Senate Judiciary nomination hearing of Gail Slater, President Trump’s nominee to be Assistant Attorney General for the Antitrust Division at the Department of Justice, Sen. Josh Hawley (R-MO) asked, “I am extremely concerned about what the emergence of AI and monopoly power in AI will mean for American consumers. We have got to give power back to individual Americans to protect their rights. Antitrust enforcement by the U.S. government is a critical part of that.” (Press release)
- In a House Judiciary Subcommittee on Subcommittee on the Administrative State, Regulatory Reform, and Antitrust, Ranking Member Jamie Raskin (D-MD) asked witness Stephen Vladeck of Georgetown Law,
- Raskin: “We’re reading reports that Musk has fed Americans’ data, private data, into AI models, and he’s also making a bid for another company in artificial intelligence, just going ahead and doing his business while he’s purporting to do the business of the American people. What dangers are posed by the feeding of our data into an AI system, if that were to happen?”
- Vladeck: “I think the most obvious dangers are the possibility that this data will become accessible not just to our government operations but to our enemies overseas and they’ll use that for malicious purposes.” (Press release)
- Raskin: “We’re reading reports that Musk has fed Americans’ data, private data, into AI models, and he’s also making a bid for another company in artificial intelligence, just going ahead and doing his business while he’s purporting to do the business of the American people. What dangers are posed by the feeding of our data into an AI system, if that were to happen?”
- Energy and Commerce Committee tweeted, “Rep Russell Fry at this week’s hearing on American leadership in manufacturing and the next generation of technologies: ‘We must ensure that policies support rather than stifle AI innovation.’”
- The Committee also tweeted, “It’s vital to America’s national security that manufacturers have access to artificial intelligence Rep Craig Goldman notes. Ensuring that manufactures can harness the capabilities of AI will help ensure America continues to lead the world.”
- The Committee also tweeted, “WATCH: Rep James ‘AI in manufacturing here means not relying on goods made with slave labor on brain power stolen from Americans.’ We must ensure that America leads the world in manufacturing.”
- The Committee also tweeted, “Rep Russ Fulcher asks how generative artificial intelligence can affect America’s manufacturing capabilities. Watch how AI can benefit manufacturing, decreasing complexity and enabling greater productivity.”
- Energy and Commerce Democrats tweeted, “WATCH LIVE: Republicans hold a hearing on Musk and his minions stealing Americans’ financial and health information Just kidding, it’s another hearing on AI…”
- Sen. Mike Rounds (R-SD) tweeted, “I voted to confirm Robert Kennedy Jr. as the next Secretary of Health and Human Services. I supported his nomination, and I look forward to working with him as we accelerate the use of AI in developing cures for diseases such as cancer, Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s.”
- Rep. Laurel Lee (R-FL) tweeted, “America leads the way in innovation because we champion free thought, open debate, and competition. If we overregulate AI, we stifle free speech and forfeit our technological edge on the world stage. More from today’s Judiciary GOP hearing.”
- Rep. Kat Cammack (R-FL) tweeted, “During this afternoon’s House Commerce hearing on AI in manufacturing and the next generation of American tech leadership, Rep. Cammack asked witnesses for their biggest takeaways from the hearing. One of the biggest? The importance of the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act.”
- Rep. Yvette Clarke (D-NY) tweeted, “WATCH: Today, I delivered my remarks during the EnergyCommerce hearing on AI manufacturing. “Thanks to the CHIPS and Science Act, 34,000 New Yorkers are employed by semiconductor and supply chain companies. The importance of supporting the domestic manufacturing of AI tools is undeniable and essential to our workforce and economy.”
- Sen. John Cornyn (R-TX) tweeted, “Today the Senate Law Enforcement Caucus, which I co-chair, hosted an important roundtable to discuss the severity of online child exploitation through AI deepfakes & what we as lawmakers can do to get ahead of this growing threat. I will continue to fight to ensure we’re doing our part to protect our children.”
- Rep. Mark Green (R-TN) tweeted, “Like the Space Race before, the U.S. is now in an AI Race, but this time with China. Silicon Valley must learn that increasing sheer processing power, which is costly in time and money, cannot make up for lack of software innovation.”
- Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) tweeted, “As pathbreaking leaders in cancer research, biotech, AI, brain science, & more, CT labs & facilities will be hard hit by Trump’s fund cuts. Nationwide as well as CT, he & Musk put life saving research at risk. I’ll fight their slash & trash plans.”
- Rep. Scott Peters (D-CA) tweeted, “Just last year, Microsoft was hacked by China due to “avoidable errors” in their cybersecurity system. Elon is putting your sensitive data and other classified information at incredible risk by running it through Microsoft’s AI platform. DOGE needs to stop its work immediately until it can prove it is not putting your personal information in danger.”
- Rep. Laurel Lee (R-FL) tweeted, “Yesterday, I had the chance to participate in a roundtable with the Digital Dialogue Forum exploring intellectual property from AI to consumer data protection. Innovation relies on technology, and it is vital to advance strong policies that foster American innovation and harness technological advancements responsibly.”
- Rep. David Schweikert (R-AZ) issued a press release following a Ways and Means Committee hearing on the Lack of Return on Investment from IRS Funding and the Need for Agency Modernization, saying, “Instead of hiring tens of thousands of new agents to audit more workers, the IRS should be leveraging new technologies, like artificial intelligence, to drastically improve customer service at the agency.” (Press release)
About Zero One Strategies
Zero One Strategies is a boutique 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, blockchain, decentralized technologies, cybersecurity, data, and digital infrastructure, as well as the multiple policy issues impacting these sectors, including tax and financial services.
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