Breaking

Bessent Says He Has Not Backed Any AI Bill as House Lawmakers Press Treasury on Regulation

September 15, 2026 at 13:47 EDT

Policy & Regulation
Security
AI Agents

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent told lawmakers he has not yet seen an artificial intelligence bill or regulation he is prepared to support, even as members of Congress pressed for a stronger federal response to AI risks. The exchange came during House testimony in which AI oversight has moved from a technology-policy debate into the Treasury Department's financial-stability orbit.

Sep. 15, 2026 · U.S. Treasury

AI Rules Reach Treasury

Scott Bessent told lawmakers he has not yet found an AI bill he is ready to support, even as Congress weighs guardrails for frontier systems and emergency shutdown powers.

6-12

months cited for advanced agent risk

$32B

recommended by a 2024 Senate AI working group

years in the proposed funding window

Risk Window, Drawn To Scale

6 months

lower bound

12 months

upper bound

The cited warning compressed the policy debate into a one-year horizon.

Case For Guardrails

Supporters say frontier AI now touches cybersecurity, labor markets, data centers and critical infrastructure.

Concerns About Rules

Critics warn broad legislation could slow innovation or favor the largest AI companies before risks are clearly defined.

Where The Debate Moves Next

Hearings
Lawmakers press agencies for positions.

→

Bills
Guardrails and shutdown authority are tested.

→

Treasury
Bessent has not endorsed a proposal.

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