Rep. Gabe Vasquez Takes Action to Curb Catastrophic Risks Posed by Rapid AI Development

WASHINGTON, D.C. – On September 16, 2026, U.S. Representative Gabe Vasquez (NM-02) announced his support for bipartisan legislation to combat the growing risks posed by advanced artificial intelligence systems — the FRONTIER Act — and called on Speaker Mike Johnson to keep the House at work in Washington until Congress advances “meaningful, bipartisan AI safeguards.” 

These actions come amid a growing wave of warnings from researchers and executives at leading AI companies about the risks powerful AI systems pose to humankind. As the industry experts who know AI best are calling on Congress to quickly enact stronger safety measures, Speaker Mike Johnson is sending the House home for seven weeks, punting regulation of this rapidly advancing technology indefinitely and leaving the American people at risk. 

In the letter sent Tuesday night to Speaker Johnson urging him to keep the House in session, Vasquez and 106 other lawmakers noted that when it comes to reigning in advanced AI systems, the risks of inaction are dire, including “... mass cybersecurity breaches and development of biological or chemical weapons.” The letter goes on to state that as evidence of the safety risks posed by advanced AI pile up, these disclosures “must not constitute yet another in a long series of ‘warning shots,’ but rather, a starting gun. Congress must act.” 

“Congress must answer the urgent call for immediate action on AI regulation, and leaving Washington without addressing this matter would be reckless and irresponsible. It’s clear there is great risk in the continued development of super intelligence with no guardrails, and Speaker Johnson and the President refuse to act responsibly and decisively,” said Vasquez. “I have recently championed the bipartisan FRONTIER Act, one of several bills I’ve supported that merit debate and a vote on the House floor.”

As one immediate step, Vasquez is backing H.R. 9925, the bipartisan Frontier Risk Oversight, National Transparency, Independent Evaluation, and Reporting (FRONTIER) Act. 

• The FRONTIER Act would create a national, risk-based framework to oversee the most advanced AI systems, with stronger requirements for the largest developers. 
• It would require safety plans, independent audits, incident reporting, and ongoing assessments of catastrophic risks, including risks involving 50 or more deaths or serious injuries or at least $1 billion in property damage. 
• The bill would also give the federal government authority to step in when a frontier AI model poses a genuine catastrophic threat.
• The bill also establishes an Under Secretary of Commerce for AI Security to oversee key requirements and authorizes the Commerce Secretary to suspend or restrict the development, deployment, or internal use of a frontier model if it presents an imminent catastrophic risk.

###