WEEK OF SEPTEMBER 15. 2025 

AI, TikTok, and a Looming Shutdown: All Eyes on Capitol Hill

State of Play: 

  • The House and Senate are in session this week. 

  • President Trump faces the Wednesday deadline to force TikTok’s divestment from ByteDance or ban the app in the US. The US and China are in their fourth round of trade talks, with China demanding non-discriminatory treatment and both sides eyeing leverage, from tariffs to export controls, over a potential deal transferring TikTok’s US operations to an American company.

  • It is a big week for AI on the Hill this week, with four committees diving deep into various applications of AI. More on that below. 

Driving the News: 

  • With just over two weeks until the deadline, Congress faces a high likelihood of a government shutdown as Republicans push a “clean” continuing resolution to extend funding until November 20, while Democrats demand health care provisions and other priorities be included. 

  • GOP leaders are struggling to secure enough votes in the House, while Senate Democrats plan to filibuster the measure, leaving both sides entrenched and betting that the other will take the political blame if the government shuts down.

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Three Things to Watch in Tech:

1. Senate Judiciary Doubles Down on Meta Chatbots:

Meta is about to face another grilling in the Senate Judiciary Committee Tuesday afternoon, this time in the Crime and Counterterrorism Subcommittee. 

  • Subcommittee Chair Josh Hawley (R-MO) is holding the hearing on AI chatbots following reports that Meta’s AI engaged in “sensual” chats with minors. 

  • The hearing last week in the Privacy Subcommittee, focused on allegations of Meta intentionally ignoring child safety measures. 

  • Witnesses for the hearing have yet to be announced. 

  • Hawley launched a probe demanding Meta’s internal chatbot documents and answers from CEO Mark Zuckerberg by Friday.

2. Jordan Takes Aim at California’s AI Strategy:

The Senate Judiciary Courts, IP, AI, and the Internet Subcommittee will hold a hearing Thursday to discuss the need for a nationwide AI strategy as opposed to individual state regulations. The target of criticism: California. 

  • The California legislature has made several prominent moves to regulate AI, most notably passing asweeping bill to overhaul AI chatbot operations and ensuring safeguards are baked into the technology. The bill also allows for a private right to pursue legal actions against noncompliant and negligent developers. It now moves to Governor Newsom’s desk. 

  • House Judiciary Republicans, including Subcommittee Chair Darrell Issa (R-CA), have advocated for a federal framework for AI regulations as opposed to creating a state patchwork, similar to that of privacy laws. 

  • The idea of imposing a moratorium on state AI regulations has been a contentious point of discussion in Congress, as Senate Commerce Chair Ted Cruz (R-TX) continues to hint at possible legislation to impose such a rule. 

3. House Oversight Looks at AI’s Economic Impacts: We’ll also see an AI

hearing

in the House Oversight Cyber Committee, focused on examining the current state of AI and its impact on the US economy. 

  • The hearing is a sort of catch all of AI issues, including the need to maintain US global competitiveness in AI innovation. 

  • Subcommittee Chair Nancy Mace (R-SC), noted in the hearing announcement that Members are expected to also discuss AI’s role in health care, transportation, and agriculture. 

  • Honorable mention: At the same time as the Oversight hearing, the House Financial Services Digital Assets, Fintech, and AI Subcommittee will dive deep into AI’s role in the US financial system.

What's Happening This Week

Tech Hearings

  • The House Veterans' Affairs Technology Modernization Subcommittee holds a hearing on “Oversight: Advancing VA Care Through Artificial Intelligence” - Monday, September 15 at 3:00 PM EST

  • The House Judiciary Crime and Federal Government Surveillance Subcommittee holds a hearing on “Unmanned and Unchecked: Confronting the Rising Threat of Malicious Drone Use in America” - Tuesday, September 16 at 2:00 PM EST

  • The Senate Judiciary Criminal Justice and Counterterrorism Subcommittee holds a hearing to examine AI chatbots - Tuesday, September 16 at 2:30 PM EST

  • The House Small Business Committee holds a hearing on “Streaming Success: Small Businesses in the Age of Digital Influence” - Wednesday, September 17 at 2:00 PM EST

  • The House Oversight and Government Reform Cybersecurity, Information Technology, and Government Innovation Subcommittee hold a hearing on “Shaping Tomorrow: The Future of Artificial Intelligence” - Wednesday, September 17 at 2:00 PM EST

  • The House Judiciary Courts, Intellectual Property, Artificial Intelligence, and the Internet Subcommittee holds a hearing on “AI at a Crossroads: A Nationwide Strategy or Californication?” - Thursday, September 18 at 10:00 AM EST

  • The House Financial Services Oversight and Investigations Subcommittee holds a hearing on “Fraud in Focus: Exposing Financial Threats to American Families” - Thursday, September 18 at 10:00 AM EST

  • The House Financial Services Digital Assets, Financial Technology, and Artificial Intelligence Subcommittee holds a hearing on “Unlocking the Next Generation of AI in the U.S. Financial System for Consumers, Businesses, and Competitiveness” - Thursday, September 18 at 2:00 PM EST

  • The House Energy and Commerce Communications and Technology Subcommittee holds a hearing on “Examining Solutions to Expedite Broadband Permitting” - Thursday, September 18 at 2:00 PM EST

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