White House unveils AI policy wishlist for Congress

The White House released its policy recommendations for artificial intelligence on Friday, stating its framework “can succeed only” without a patchwork of conflicting state laws on the emerging technology. 

The blueprint for Congress is split into seven priorities, ranging from kids online safety laws to the protection of free speech and the streamlining of AI infrastructure. The four-page outline follows an executive order from President Trump last December seeking to limit states’ abilities to regulate AI and push forward efforts to regulate at the federal level. 

The recommendations will be sent to Congress, which has spent years deadlocked on AI and kids online safety regulations amid fierce partisan and intraparty disagreements.

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It comes ahead of the 2026 midterms and recent polling indicates AI and data centers are expected to be a key issue for constituents. 

The White House acknowledged these concerns in a release Friday, writing it “recognizes that some Americans feel uncertain about how this transformative technology will affect issues they care about, like their children’s wellbeing or their monthly electricity bill.” 

The framework urges Congress to “build on” its kids online safety actions so far, like Sen. Ted Cruz’s (R-Texas) Take it Down Act, which criminalized the publication of nonconsensual sexually explicit “deepfake” images and videos online. The White House said future regulations should give parents and guardians “robust tools” to manage children’s online activity, along with creating “commercially reasonable [and] privacy protective” age assurance requirements — another divisive issue on Capitol Hill. 

Notably, the White House recommended Congress not preempt states from enforcing their own kids online safety laws, including those related to sexual abuse material, even when created by AI. 

It urges Congress to guarantee ratepayers will not face increased electricity costs from new AI data center construction and operation, while also streamlining federal permitting for faster infrastructure development. 

As expected, it calls on Congress’s federal framework to preempt state laws, an issue that has divided GOP leaders across the country. Republican lawmakers in Washington failed to include a 10-year moratorium on state AI laws in legislation in two attempts last year. The White House, and many technology companies, argue preemption will eliminate “undue burdens” on innovation and boost America’s competitive standing. 

It also calls for the protection of intellectual property rights, a topic that has led to various lawsuits against major AI firms, along with the prevention of censorship –– a key concern for Republicans. 

While the framework emphasizes the urgency of such actions, its passage in Congress is likely to be an uphill battle amid the long-standing debates and slim majorities. The White House said it will be working with Congress “in the coming months” to turn the recommendations into legislation.

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