Congress Sets Record for Inaction: AI Companies Lobby for Deregulation

Congress's Record Low Legislative Output

• 📉 Congress set a modern record for the lowest legislative output in the first year of a new presidency, with fewer than 40 bills signed into law.
• 🗳️ Despite low bill passage, the Senate held a record number of roll call votes (659) primarily focused on advancing President Trump's nominations.
• 📉 The House set a 21st-century record for the fewest votes cast (362), barely half of those in 2017.
• 🚶‍♂️ A record number of House members (24 Republicans, 19 Democrats) are retiring or running for other offices, indicating dissatisfaction.

Reasons for Congressional Inaction

• 🏛️ President Trump has opted to rule primarily by executive order this term.
• 🛡️ Speaker Johnson is accused of running interference for Trump, shutting down the House to block votes and contributing to a 43-day government shutdown.
• 💸 The focus has shifted from legislating for Americans to benefiting American corporations.

AI Industry's Influence and Deregulation Push

• 🤖 AI companies are actively lobbying and preparing to spend millions through Super PACs to influence politicians.
• 🚫 They are pushing for a federal moratorium on AI that would wipe out state-level regulations.
• 💰 Prominent AI Super PACs, like Leading the Future, are funded by major investors and executives, including those connected to Mark Andreessen and Joe Lonsdale.
• 🤝 The strategy aims to replicate the success of the cryptocurrency industry, which used Super PACs to pass favorable legislation like the Genius Act.

Corporatism Over Capitalism

• 💰 Republicans are expected to pass significant tax cuts for the rich and corporations, a predictable outcome.
• 📈 Congress has also broken records for deregulatory actions, rolling back worker safety, community safety, and environmental protections.
• 🔌 AI companies seek government backing for their data centers, subsidies, and to have the electricity bills paid by the public.
• 🌐 This is characterized as corporatism, where politicians are bought off to rig rules in favor of corporations, rather than capitalism or free markets.

Public Disconnect and Unwanted Technology

• ⚠️ The public is not on board with the rapid expansion of AI, citing concerns about data center resource consumption (water, electricity) and land use.
• 📢 There is a feeling that AI technology is being forced upon the public without their explicit demand or consent.
• 🔮 The issues surrounding AI and tech industry influence were foreseen years ago by figures like Andrew Yang, yet little action has been taken.
• ⚖️ The current political landscape, with figures like VP J.D. Vance, reflects the influence of tech leaders and a shift away from democratic processes.