Shutdown Drags Into Day 27

The government shutdown has officially hit Day 27, with no signs of progress as both chambers of Congress remain at a standstill. 

The House has not voted in over a month, committees are dormant, and both parties are locked in a cycle of blame. 

In the Senate, Republicans are floating “rifle-shot” bills to fund specific sectors like the military and air traffic controllers, but while these could ease immediate pain points, the White House fears they could prolong the stalemate by relieving pressure to end the shutdown altogether.

The Trump Administration announced new trade agreements with Malaysia and Cambodia and frameworks with Thailand and Vietnam. 

The agreements include technology, export control, and digital trade provisions, reflecting US efforts to align Southeast Asian partners with its AI and national security strategy against China. More on this below.

The upcoming meeting, which falls on the heels of the US agreements made with Cambodia and Malaysia. The deal with Malaysia commits the country to cooperate on export controls, investment screening, and IP protections, and to consult the US before signing digital trade deals that could threaten its interests. 

The US and China have reached an agreement on a trade framework ahead of the meeting, which includes finalizing the sale of TikTok to US investors, while offering temporary relief on rare earth export restrictions. 

It remains to be seen whether the talks will yield an agreement or result in greater divisions than before. 

The hearing falls on the heels of the Committee’s hearing earlier this month on the same issue - this time with big tech testifying.

Given Chair Cruz’s absence at the last hearing, this will be an opportunity for him to grill witnesses from Meta and Google, along with stakeholders from the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression, over their compliance with CISA to censor certain information on social media, particularly related to future AI use. 

The Administration is kicking off the new program with a request for information to gain insight from stakeholders and the public to shape how the United States promotes the export of “full-stack” AI systems—spanning hardware, software, models, and applications—to trusted global partners.

The program will identify and support industry-led consortia developing comprehensive AI export packages, coordinated across federal agencies including of State, Energy, War, and OSTP, and financed through the Economic Diplomacy Action Group.

The move signals the Administration’s first phase of its broader strategy to integrate AI into U.S. trade and diplomatic policy.

The Senate Judiciary Constitution Subcommittee holds a hearing on "Politically Violent Attacks: A Threat to Our Constitutional Order" - Tuesday, October 28 at 2:30 PM EST

The Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee holds a hearing on "Shut Your App: How Uncle Sam Jawboned Big Tech Into Silencing Americans, Part II" - Wednesday, October 29 at 10:00 AM EST

Foreign Policy - Virtual Discussion on "Is the AI Boom a Bubble?" - Monday, October 27 at 12:00 PM EST

Nvidia - AI Conference & Expo - Tuesday, October 28 to Wednesday, October 29

The Hudson Institute - Virtual Discussion on "The Future of U.S. Broadband and Spectrum Strategy” - Tuesday, October 28 at 3:00 PM EST

Politico - Briefing on "Policy Outlook: Cybercrime & Financial Innovation" - Wednesday, October 29 at 8:30 AM EST

The Information Technology and Innovation Foundation - Virtual Discussion on "DOJ v. Google: What to Expect with Ad Tech Remedies" - Wednesday, October 29 at 2:00 PM EST