Gottheimer announces bipartisan bills aimed at AI security, Chinese-developed models
TEANECK, N.J. (Bergen County) — U.S. Rep. Josh Gottheimer on Friday announced two bipartisan bills focused on artificial intelligence security, including proposed federal reviews of powerful AI models before their release and restrictions on Chinese-developed AI models used by the federal government.
Gottheimer, D-N.J., announced the American AI Security Act and China FIREWALL Act during an event at Fairleigh Dickinson University in Teaneck. He also announced plans to seek information from National Cyber Director Sean Cairncross about the administration’s AI cybersecurity efforts.
“Right now, there are no mandatory requirements for pre-deployment testing of frontier AI models,” said Congressman Josh Gottheimer (NJ-5). “That doesn’t work in banking, it doesn’t work in food safety, it doesn’t work in medicine, and it sure as hell shouldn’t work with the technology that experts say could help build a bioweapon or take down our power grid. This isn’t about stopping AI or stifling innovation, it is about making sure — with warning signs flashing red — that we can safely deploy AI, and win the race the right way.”
The American AI Security Act, co-led by Republican Rep. Mike Lawler of New York, would establish a mandatory national security review for certain advanced AI models before they are released. Under the proposal, developers of covered models would be required to provide the National Security Agency access to evaluate whether the technology could be used to conduct a serious cyberattack or assist in developing chemical, biological or radiological weapons.
The proposed review would have a 30-day deadline, with one additional 30-day extension permitted if needed. Companies could provide technical assistance during the review and appeal decisions through an expedited process.
The China FIREWALL Act, co-led by Republican Rep. Nick LaLota of New York, would prohibit Chinese-developed open-weight AI models from government-issued devices and bar federal agencies from purchasing software that relies on those models.
According to Gottheimer’s office, the proposal would expand on restrictions involving the Chinese AI model DeepSeek included in the fiscal 2026 National Defense Authorization Act by covering other Chinese-developed open-weight models used by federal agencies.
Gottheimer also said he is sending a letter to Cairncross seeking information about the administration’s AI cybersecurity clearinghouse and its ability to address threats involving autonomous AI-driven cyberattacks. Cairncross recently said the administration is seeking to balance AI innovation with securing U.S. systems and preventing the technology from being misused by adversaries.
“This Congress alone, I’ve led more than a dozen bipartisan bills that put up immediate guardrails to keep pace with the rapid rise of AI,” Gottheimer said.
Gottheimer called on House leadership to bring Congress back before the election to consider AI safety legislation, including the measures he announced Friday.
