DHS published a notice to terminate multiple emerging tech-related initiatives. Now that the March 15 deadline has passed, the public can view comments and recommendations for the development of the Trump Administration AI Action Plan.

In the Senate, a new public-private initiative has been launched to encourage investment in data, compute and AI and to reduce unnecessary obstacles to innovation. Congress continues to focus on China and energy.

Read more below

Congress

Hearings

• Last week
  • On March 11, the House Science, Space and Technology Committee held their Member Day hearing, during which AI and quantum were discussed.
  • On March 11, the House Homeland Security Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Protection Subcommittee held a hearing on Regulatory Harm or Harmonization? Examining the Opportunity to Improve the Cyber Regulatory Regime.

• This week
  • The House and Senate are in recess.

• Upcoming
  • On March 26, the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence will hold a hearing on the Annual Worldwide Threats Assessment.

Legislation

• The House passed the Emerging Innovative Border Technologies Act, introduced by Reps. Morgan Luttrell (R-TX) and Lou Correa (D-CA).  

• The House passed the PATHS Act to extend through FY2028 the research and development pilot program of the Department of Homeland Security to include artificial intelligence technology. 

• Sens. John Cornyn (R-TX), Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV), Jim Banks (R-IN), Elissa Slotkin (D-MI), Pete Ricketts (R-NE), Michael Bennet (D-CO), Bill Hagerty (R-TN), Andy Kim (D-NJ), Dave McCormick (R-PA), Chuck Schumer (D-NY), and Dan Sullivan (R-AK), with Senate Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs Committee Chairman Tim Scott (R-SC) and Ranking Member Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) introduced the Foreign Investment Guardrails to Help Thwart (FIGHT) China Act, which would prohibit and require notification of U.S. investment in certain technologies in China. (Press release)

• Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) and Rep. Paul D. Tonko (D-NY) reintroduced the Supporting Affordability and Fairness with Every Bet (SAFE Bet) Act to require states offering sports betting to meet minimum federal standards in the marketing, affordability and artificial intelligence to create a safer, less addictive product. (Text)(Fact sheet)(Press release)

Correspondence

• Oversight and Government Reform Ranking Member Gerry Connolly (D-VA) sent letters to 24 federal agencies requesting documentation that any potential use of artificial intelligence at their agencies complies with federal laws, protects Americans’ sensitive and private data, and does not financially benefit Elon Musk. (Letters)(Press release)

• House Judiciary Committee Chair Jim Jordan (R-OH) sent letters to large technology and AI companies requesting “documents and information about the nature and extent of your company’s interactions with the executive branch with respect to the content moderation of your AI models.” (Press release)

Coalitions and Working Groups

• Sens. Mike Rounds (R-SD) and Martin Heinrich (D-NM) launched a public-private initiative, the American Science Acceleration Project (ASAP) to encourage “investment in data, compute and AI to build a superhighway for science, enable broader collaboration, and streamline the deployment process by reducing unnecessary obstacles to innovation.” (Press release)

• Reps. Kevin Mullin (D-CA) and Andrea Salinas (D-OR) will serve as co-chairs of the new Innovation and Technology Task Force within the Sustainable Energy and Environment Coalition (SEEC). The task force will “will work to create legislation that encourages innovation, including the use of artificial intelligence and clean technologies. Key topics under consideration include strengthening the electrical grid to meet growing demand, improving wildfire response and recovery efforts, and accelerating the development of clean energy technologies through the Department of Energy.” (Press release)

• The AI and Energy Working Group led by Rep. Julie Fedorchak (R-ND) issued a request for information (RFI) to inform legislative and policy recommendations on American Energy Dominance and AI Energy Demands, Securing the Energy Grid and Strategic Competition: Outpacing China. (RFI)

Trump Administration

National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST)

• NIST has chosen a new algorithm for post-quantum encryption called HQC, which will serve as a backup for ML-KEM, the main algorithm for general encryption. HQC is based on different math than ML-KEM, a critical detail if a weakness were discovered in ML-KEM. NIST plans to issue a draft standard incorporating the HQC algorithm next year, with a finalized standard expected in 2027. (Press release)

Department of Homeland Security (DHS)

• DHS published a notice under the Executive Order Commencing the Reduction of the Federal Bureaucracy that it will terminate multiple councils and programs, including the Artificial Intelligence Safety and Security Board, Public-Private Analytic Exchange Program, Homeland Security Science and Technology Advisory Committee, Cyber Investigations Advisory Board, Critical Infrastructure Partnership Advisory Council, and Data Privacy and Integrity Advisory Committee. (Notice)

White House

• The deadline for submitting comments on the development of the Trump Administration AI Action Plan was March 15. (Docket)(RFI press release)

Noteworthy Quotes and Events

ADMINISTRATION

White House

• The White House published an article entitled President Trump is Remaking America into a Manufacturing Superpower, listing private-sector investments, including in artificial intelligence, data centers, and semiconductor manufacturing. (Article)

CONGRESS

• In an interview with Politico, House Financial Services Digital Assets Subcommittee Chair Bryan Steil (R-WI) said about the Subcommittee’s priorities, “I think we have an opportunity as it relates to AI to really explore that space. I think the key long term with AI is to make sure that we don’t over-regulate the space such that we throttle innovation and development in the United States. So there may be a role for Congress, but the key is not to over-regulate that space so it’s developing domestically.” (PoliticoPro)

• In a response to a question about the discrepancies between use of AI by urban, suburban, and rural small businesses at a Punchbowl event, Sen. Kevin Cramer (R-ND) said, “Well, access and training would be important. The reason, in my view, there may be a lagging in rural communities is there’s a fear of it. If the fear keeps you from moving forward with it, you are probably not going to make it. Some of it is, in fact, cultural, and that’s where I think the education piece comes in. There’s lots of tools and opportunities to help people get comfortable with AI, but at the same time, AI, like a lot of other things, requires an ethical response.” (Press release)

• Rep. Morgan Griffith (R-VA) released a press statement in response to EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin’s plan to reconsider multiple EPA regulations, saying, “In line with the EPA’s ‘Powering the Great American Comeback Initiative’, I look forward to supporting thoughtful policies that restore American energy dominance, prepare the United States to lead on artificial intelligence, and enable our industries to deliver American-made goods and affordable, reliable energy across the country.” (Press release)

• In his Member Day hearing opening statement, House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology Chair Brian Babin (R-TX) said, “The world has never paid as much attention to the matters within this committee’s purview as it does right now. And we’re ready to lead the charge. We have a full agenda ahead and I’m confident that through collaboration, we will make significant progress and maintaining America’s leadership in science and technology. This includes our commitment to propelling humanity into new frontiers. By advancing space exploration, driving scientific discovery, and spearheading cutting edge technologies and fields like quantum computing, and artificial intelligence was several important hearings already behind us. We look forward to advancing our legislative efforts soon. Together, we will endeavor to ensure America remains a global competitor at the helm of these crucial issues.”

• Rep. Zach Nunn (R-IA) tweeted, “AI innovation is shaping the future of national security and global leadership. I had a great discussion with last week at SXSWFestival on the critical role AI plays in keeping America ahead.”

• Oversight Committee Democrats tweeted, “Ranking Member GerryConnolly demands answers after reports DOGE is feeding Americans’ private data into unapproved AI systems and using AI to slash programs”

• Energy and Commerce Committee tweeted, “In order to win the race for AI, it’s critical that we build the necessary data centers and energy infrastructure.”

• Rep. Julie Fedorchak (R-ND) tweeted, “To be AI dominant, we must first be energy dominant. I just issued a Request for Information to gather input to help craft a legislative framework that secures our energy dominance, strengthens our grid, & positions America as the global leader in AI.”

Highlights of the Week

• Last week, I appeared on Bloomberg Technology to discuss the latest developments in digital assets federal policy. Watch the clip here.

What I’m Reading This Week

The UK tries to shape the AI world order — again, Tom Bristow and Daniella Cheslow, Politico Digital Future Daily.

DOGE’s Plans to Replace Humans With AI Are Already Under Way, Matteo Wong, The Atlantic.

What the Dot-Com Bust Can Tell Us About Today’s AI Boom, Rolfe Winkler, The Wall Street Journal.

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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