AxiosSep 13, 2026

Johnson calls for AI solutions but says Congress won't take the lead

House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) said Sunday that Congress won't lead the charge on regulating AI safety. Why it matters: Calls for AI companies to adopt safety protocols reached a fever pitch this week, prompting the four biggest AI labs to endorse slowing their models' development. Driving the news: Johnson was urged this week to cancel the House recess and bring representatives back to D.C. to pass a law on AI safeguards. During a Sunday appearance on CNN's "State of the Union," Johnson said Congress intervening isn't the answer and that AI companies can halt their work at any time. We have to "resist Congress jumping in and imposing some sort of emergency moratorium. It's got to be done right, safely, wisely. What they're saying: Johnson said it is too risky to national security to stop all AI development "because China will overlap us" and proposed a meeting between President Trump, members of Congress, and the top AI officials who call the shots at their respective compa

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