Gottheimer Introduced Two Bipartisan AI Safety Bills

Representative Josh Gottheimer announced new legislation to regulate advanced AI models and restrict foreign software.

Updated on Sept. 18, 2026 in Artificial Intelligence

Isometric editorial illustration of a blank, monolithic steel server cabinet standing in a sparse, cool-toned environment, representing federal data security policy. — Representative Josh Gottheimer introduced the American AI Security Act and the China FIREWALL Act to mandate federal review processes for advanced artificial intelligence models. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Should the government require mandatory safety reviews for all new advanced artificial intelligence models?

Representative Josh Gottheimer announced the American AI Security Act and the China FIREWALL Act to address artificial intelligence safety. These bipartisan bills aim to implement mandatory government review processes and restrict the use of foreign-developed models on federal devices.

Why it matters

The proposed legislation addresses surging artificial intelligence safety concerns by tightening oversight on advanced models. It seeks to protect federal infrastructure from potential security risks posed by foreign-developed software.

The proposed American AI Security Act establishes a mandatory 30-day review period for advanced AI models, with the possibility of a 30-day extension. This framework is part of a broader two-bill package aimed at government-wide AI oversight.

The players

Josh Gottheimer

He is a U.S. Representative serving New Jersey who focuses on legislative initiatives related to national security and technology.

National Security Agency

This U.S. intelligence agency is responsible for global monitoring, collection, and processing of information for foreign and domestic intelligence purposes.

The details

The American AI Security Act requires the National Security Agency to oversee the review of advanced AI models before they are released. Simultaneously, the China FIREWALL Act would prevent federal agencies from using or procuring software built on Chinese-developed open-weight AI models.

September 18, 2026: Representative Gottheimer announced the AI safety legislation.

The Tech Race

This legislation marks a shift from executive-level guidance toward codifying mandatory federal oversight into law. It follows a pattern of increasing federal efforts to regulate AI beyond the Biden Administration's October 2023 Executive Order on Artificial Intelligence.

The bills could lead to more stringent security standards for federal software procurement and potential delays in the release of certain AI models. These changes aim to enhance national security while potentially altering the landscape of available AI tools.

The takeaway

Legislators are increasingly focusing on the intersection of national security and emerging technology to mitigate risks from foreign actors. These bills highlight a growing effort to balance the rapid development of AI with the need for rigorous governmental oversight.