This week in AI federal policy, Congress focuses on national security and AI. The American Science Acceleration Project, led by Senators Martin Heinrich and Mike Rounds, invites public proposals.

The FDA announced a plan to scale use of artificial intelligence internally across all FDA centers by July. The Treasury Secretary assures Congress that productivity losses from the elimination of IRS jobs will be offset by AI.

Read more below

Congress

Hearings

• Last week
  • On May 6, the House Armed Services Cyber, Information Technology, and Innovation Subcommittee held a hearing on Science, Technology, and Innovation Posture.
  • On May 7, the House Judiciary Courts, Intellectual Property, Artificial Intelligence, and the Internet Subcommittee held a hearing on Protecting Our Edge: Trade Secrets and the Global AI Arms Race.
  • On May 7, the House Science, Space and Technology Committee held a hearing on From Policy to Progress: How the National Quantum Initiative Shapes U.S. Quantum Technology Leadership.
  • On May 8, the House Armed Services Cyber, Information Technology, and Innovation Subcommittee held a hearing on Information Technology and Artificial Intelligence Posture of the Department of Defense.
  • On May 8, the House Appropriations Homeland Security Subcommittee held an oversight hearing on the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency.
  • On May 8, the Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee held a hearing on Winning the AI Race: Strengthening U.S. Capabilities in Computing and Innovation.
• This week
  • On May 14, the Senate Judiciary Intellectual Property Subcommittee will hold a hearing on Foreign Threats to American Innovation and Economic Leadership.
  • On May 15, the House Homeland Security Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Protection Subcommittee will hold a hearing on In Defense of Defensive Measures: Reauthorizing Cybersecurity Information Sharing Activities that Underpin U.S. National Cyber Defense.
  • On May 16, the House Armed Services Cyber, Information Technology, and Innovation Subcommittee will hold a hearing on FY2026 Review of the Department of Defense’s Cyber Posture.

Legislation

• Sens. Todd Young (R-ID) and Brian Schatz (D-HI) introduced the Artificial Intelligence Public Awareness and Education Campaign Act to require the Secretary of Commerce to carry out a public awareness and education campaign to provide information regarding the benefits of, risks relating to, and the prevalence of AI in the daily lives of individuals in the United States. (Text)(Press release)

• Sens. Dick Durbin (D-IL), Ben Ray Luján (D-NM), Marsha Blackburn (R-TN), Jim Risch (R-ID), and Peter Welch (D-VT) introduced the Testing and Evaluation Systems for Trusted Artificial Intelligence (TEST) AI Act to codify the ongoing collaboration between NIST and DOE to evaluate AI models; improve public-private partnerships through an AI Testing Working Group to guide standard development related to performance, reliability, security, privacy, and bias; and direct the development of a public strategy for testing, construction of testbeds, and compilation of a report to Congress on the results and recommendations for future standards development. (Text)(Press release)

• Sens. Jacky Rosen (D-NV) and Bill Cassidy (R-LA) introduced the Protection Against Foreign Adversarial Artificial Intelligence Act to prohibit federal contractors from using DeepSeek to fulfill contracts with federal agencies. (Press release)

• Rep. Adriano Espaillat (D-NY) introduced legislation to direct the National Science Foundation to make awards for artificial intelligence literacy programs. (Text)

Publications

• Sens. Martin Heinrich (D-NM) and Mike Rounds (R-SD) released a Request for Information (RFI) for the American Science Acceleration Project (ASAP) inviting the public to share proposals that will equip American scientists and stakeholders with next-generation data, computing and artificial-intelligence capabilities while removing unnecessary barriers to innovation. (RFI)(Press release)

Trump Administration

Department of Defense

• The Marine Corps unveiled a new artificial intelligence implementation plan. (Report)

Food and Drug Administration (FDA)

• FDA announced a timeline to scale use of artificial intelligence internally across all FDA centers by June 30, 2025, following the completion of a new generative AI pilot for scientific reviewers. (Press release)

Noteworthy Quotes and Events

ADMINISTRATION

Customs and Border Protection (CBP)

• CBP Acting Commissioner Pete Flores delivered remarks at the Trade and Cargo Security Summit in New Orleans, saying, “CBP is committed to consistently improving targeting efforts to protect the rights of legitimate traders. We are expanding a digital platform and risk-based targeting to make legitimate trade faster, simpler, and more transparent. CBP has a robust artificial intelligence and analytical capability. It is our goal to leverage AI technology to better inform human decision-making and make things easier for post CBP and trade. Within the trade mission, AI helps us identify shipments and entities that pose a greater risk, and at an earlier point in time. This is helping to ensure that our borders are the last line of defense and not the first. We have been able to drive improvements and investigation, revenue recovery, network analysis and trade disruption impacts. CBP is putting in advanced data and analytics technology into the hands of its personnel to provide our workforce with the newest decision-making tools and information. Within the trade mission, we see AI as a driving force on how we modernize CBP’s trade mission. We will continue working with you put in place the right protocols to maximize AI capabilities while establishing a proactive risk posture.” (Press release)

Department of Energy (DOE)

• In Congressional testimony DOE Secretary Chris Wright said, “You know, in the original Manhattan Project, Nazi Germany was also trying to develop [an] atomic bomb. So the cost of being second was just devastating. Like, that was a race not [that] you want to win. We had to win. And I think AI has similar overlay.” He also said, “The main thing I view the department and the government as a whole is to get out of the way and to enable private businesses and enterprises to bring the hundreds of billions of dollars of capital investment that will be needed to lead in AI.” (AIScoop)

Treasury Department

• In Congressional testimony regarding IRS budget cuts, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said, “There is nothing that shows, historically, that by bringing in unseasoned collections agents, that… results in more collections or high-end collections. So I believe, through smarter IT, through this AI boom, that we can use that to enhance collections. And I would expect that collections would continue to be very robust, as they were this year.” (AIScoop)

Federal Reserve

• Fed Governor Lisa Cook delivered remarks on Productivity Dynamics at a Hoover Institution conference, saying, “As I have discussed in several recent speeches, AI has the potential to revolutionize numerous sectors of our economy. We already see AI assistants boosting productivity in customer service, software development, and medical diagnosis. AI’s ability to process and analyze vast amounts of data could lead to breakthroughs in scientific research and innovation, resulting in an increased arrival rate of new ideas, further amplifying its effect on productivity. Of course, an AI productivity boom would come with its own set of challenges. If potential output expands too rapidly, it could leave slack in the economy and the labor market. Moreover, the productivity gains from AI may not be uniform across all sectors, job types, or tasks, leading to a transitional period as the labor market adjusts. Despite these challenges, I am optimistic about AI and its potential to drive significant productivity growth in the coming years.” (Remarks)

National Science Foundation (NSF)

• NSF issued a press release on NuFold, a new machine learning tool to predict the structure of a wide variety of RNA molecules from their sequences. (Press release)

Food and Drug Administration (FDA)

• FDA tweeted, “In a historic first for the agency, DrMakaryFDA today announced an aggressive timeline to scale use of artificial intelligence (AI) internally across all FDA centers by June 30, 2025, following the completion of a new generative AI pilot for scientific reviewers.”

CONGRESS

• In his opening statement at the Senate Commerce Committee hearing on Winning the AI Race: Strengthening U.S. Capabilities in Computing and Innovation, Commerce Committee Chair Ted Cruz (R-TX) said, “Adopting a light-touch regulatory style for AI will require Congress to work alongside the President – just as Congress did with President Clinton. We need to advance legislation that promotes long-term AI growth and innovation. That’s why I will soon release a new bill that creates a regulatory sandbox for AI — modeled on the approach taken by Congress and President Clinton at the dawn of the internet — that will remove barriers to AI adoption, prevent needless state over-regulation, and allow the AI supply chain to rapidly grow here in the U.S. That’s how we will accelerate economic growth, secure U.S. dominance in AI, and beat China.” (Press release)

• Sen. Pete Ricketts (R-NE) issued a statement on President Trump’s decision to rescind the AI Diffusion rule, saying, “I am pleased to hear that the Trump administration plans to rescind Biden’s AI Diffusion rule. I look forward to working with the administration to propose a new rule that grows America’s AI leadership and promotes partnership with our friends and allies. We must prevent Communist China from capturing the world market and taking the lead on this technology. We must also make America the world capital of AI.” (Press release)

• Ricketts also tweeted, “I am pleased to hear that the Trump administration plans to rescind Biden’s AI Diffusion rule. I look forward to working with the administration to propose a new rule that grows America’s AI leadership and promotes partnership with our friends and allies.”

• In his opening statement of the Fostering AI Innovation hearing, Subcommittee on Courts, Intellectual Property, Artificial Intelligence and the Internet Ranking Member Hank Johnson said, “As we seek ways to promote American AI startups, we should also work to ensure that businesses meet minimum standards for system cybersecurity; we should ask what types of transparency are necessary to protect other IP rights and consider how to set standards while still protecting trade secrets. By encouraging companies to meet best practices and respect intellectual property rights, we will foster hardy competition that protects U.S. innovation from those who seek to undermine our success.” (Press release)

• Sen. John Barrasso (R-WY) delivered remarks on the Senate floor saying, “…the Greatest Generation built the arsenal of democracy, and we carry on that by modernizing our military. Under unified Republican government, America is embracing the new technologies, such as artificial intelligence, to outpace our adversaries. We’re rebuilding our industrial base. We’re expanding shipbuilding so our Navy remains the world’s finest.”

• Rep. Scott Franklin (R-FL) tweeted, “Big win for American tech leadership! POTUS is rescinding Biden’s reckless AI chip export rule, protecting national security and keeping China in check. Glad to join RepMcCormick in calling for this action.”

• Sen. Ted Cruz (R-FL) tweeted, “FoxBusiness: China winning AI race would be ‘catastrophic,’ says Ted Cruz after Sam Altman hearing”

• Cruz also tweeted, “I think more regulation in AI will stifle innovation. If we don’t have small companies in the AI sector we will see Big Tech giants corner the market. That is a recipe for failure if it happens.”

• Cruz also tweeted, “WATCH: I ask top AI executives three important questions: Who is winning the race for AI: America or China? If America is winning the AI race, how close is China? How do we ensure America maintains its lead in the AI race?”

• Cruz also tweeted, “In the last two years, AI has brought the United States, and the world, to a critical inflection point. AI may be a technology as transformative as the internet. It’s unleashed a new global industrial revolution with potential to unlock opportunities that improve our quality of life, create jobs, and stimulate economic growth. As a matter of economic and national security, America has to beat China in the AI race.”

• Cruz also tweeted, “I want America to win the race for AI and to outcompete China. I will be introducing legislation to create a regulatory sandbox for AI, similar to what Bill Clinton enacted in the 1990s for the internet, aimed at preventing the nanny state from hampering innovation.”

• Sen. Ted Budd (R-NC) tweeted, “The United States is competing with China for leadership in AI and future economic strength and influence. America is by far more innovative, but if we don’t deploy AI fast enough, the Chinese Communist Party will set the rules of the road.”

• Budd also tweeted, “The AI race will be won or lost on our ability to generate power. Once reconciliation is complete, Congress must turn to permitting reform to unleash American energy dominance for economic growth and our national security.”

• House Energy and Commerce Committee tweeted, “American innovation is helping to boost American energy production. Reliable and abundant energy is central to America winning the race on AI and becoming a manufacturing hub, and innovative technologies like this will help us achieve that goal.”

• Energy and Commerce Committee also tweeted, “For America to lead the world in AI and manufacturing, it is critical that we focus on bringing more generation online–not shutting down existing power plants.”

• Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) tweeted, “At our hearing on a bipartisan path forward on safe AI development with Open AI’s Sam Altman, Microsoft’s Brad Smith, and other tech leaders, I made the case about why we must pass the NO FAKES Act to give Americans control over their own voice and likeness.”

• Sen. Bill Cassidy (R-LA) tweeted, “Exciting step for health care innovation. Great to see FDA using AI to speed up reviews and get products to patients faster. Looking forward to working with Dr. Makary to modernize the agency and keep the U.S. a global leader.”

• Sen. Ben Ray Luján (D-NM) tweeted, “In the commercedems hearing on winning the AI race, each witness agreed that the United States must invest in fast and affordable internet. Senate Republicans are doing the exact opposite.”
• Rep. Don Bacon (R-NE) tweeted, “Our military cannot succeed on the battlefield if we fail in the AI & technology fight. Modern conflict depends on data & technology moving as fast as possible. These issues are not tangential to military planning & force design, they underpin every aspect of our military power.”

• Rep. Ro Khanna (D-CA) tweeted, “Dr. Matty, a Trump appointee, is Chief AI Officer for Defense. He’s a brilliant MIT Ph.D. He agreed that the cuts the administration & DOGE are making to NSF and universities like MIT hurt our technology supremacy and national security.”

• House Judiciary Dems tweeted, “Trump is canceling National Science Foundation grants, undermining our investments in the very talent pipeline that fuels American innovation. You can’t defend American IP, outpace China, or lead in AI while gutting the research ecosystems that make it possible.”

• Rep. Abe Hamadeh (R-AZ) tweeted, “Congressman Hamadeh asks Ms. Teresa Robbins, Acting Administrator, National Nuclear Security Administration, Department of Energy: How can America counter the use of AI by its adversaries? What is the plan to address China and Russia designing 90% of new nuclear reactors globally since 2017, and does she agree that this is a national security risk?”

• Rep. Ben Cline (R-VA) tweeted, “AI is critical to both our economy and national security, but the CCP is exploiting our open markets to gain the upper hand. We must double down on American innovation, secure our tech infrastructure, and ensure the future is built in the USA, not stolen by China.”

• Rep. Scott Fitzgerald (R-WI) tweeted, “Trade secrets are the backbone of America’s AI leadership. Without them, we risk falling behind—as China works overtime to close the gap. Strong IP protection is critical to staying ahead and maintaining our competitive edge in AI development.”

• Rep. Pat Harrigan (R-NC) tweeted, “Since coming to Congress, I’ve said we need to win the economics of conflict. Today in HouseScience, I pressed Google Quantum AI on how quantum tech can do that. Their response? Defense stands to gain first—with better intel and stronger protection for our warfighters.”

• Rep. Brett Guthrie (R-KY) tweeted, “If we don’t meet the growing energy demand, we’re not going to win the race for AI against China. This is not only catastrophic for our country but for the whole world. Congress must work together to unleash American energy!”

Highlights of the Week

• Last week, the Innovative Future Collective held a launch party with members of Congress, Congressional staff, and AI innovators. IFC is designed to facilitate meetings and learning opportunities between AI innovators, government leaders, members of the Administration, Congressional staff, and issue experts in productive settings throughout the country and around the globe. (Disclaimer: I serve on the IFC Advisory Committee).

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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