Latest news with #Democratic-majority
Yahoo
09-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Lawmakers push tech leaders on AI, energy in race with China
Leaders from Silicon Valley were met Thursday with a new tone from Congress, where Republican lawmakers urged policymakers to prioritize tech innovation over regulations. Over the course of more than three hours, four major technology leaders, including OpenAI CEO Sam Altman, pitched their ideas to senators on how to stay ahead of China in the artificial intelligence (AI) race. Altman warned the Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee that the U.S. is ahead now, but China might not be that far behind. 'It is our belief that the American models including some models from OpenAI, Google and others are the best models in the world. It's very hard to say how far ahead we are, but I would say not a huge amount of time,' Altman said during the hearing titled 'Winning the AI Race: Strengthening U.S. Capabilities in Computing and Innovation.' Other witnesses were Microsoft Vice Chair and President Brad Smith, CEO of semiconductor maker AMD Lisa Su, and Michael Intrator, co-founder of AI cloud computing startup CoreWeave. To keep ahead of China, Altman and the other witnesses called on Congress to prioritize AI infrastructure like data centers, training workers like electricians to help build these products and the need for open and broad access to public data. While the hearing touched upon a variety of topics from AI's energy use to discrimination in models, the push for a light-handed approach underscored both witness testimony and questions from mostly GOP lawmakers. 'Adopting a light-touch regulatory style for AI will require Congress to work alongside the president. … We need to advance legislation that promotes long-term AI growth and innovation,' Senate Commerce Committee Chair Ted Cruz (R-Texas) said in his opening remarks. Cruz called out Europe's regulation-heavy stance, warning it 'killed tech in Europe.' The tech leaders echoed this idea, while noting they would still support a streamlined federal approach that would make clear the rules and speed up development. 'One federal framework that is light touch that we can understand and lets us move with the speed that this moment calls for seems important and fine,' Altman said, later noting a state-by-state approach would be 'burdensome.' While more than 100 bills were introduced last Congress to place new rules and guardrails on AI, very few made it past the finish line. States have taken the matter into their own hands, creating a patchwork of legislation for companies to deal with. Altman's support for this approach is a sharp reversal from two years ago, when he appeared before a Democratic-majority Congress and emphasized the need for regulation and guardians on AI development. Two years later, Republicans and President Trump are back in control, with the message of prioritizing innovation over regulation to lead in the global tech space. Altman signaled an alignment with this approach, at one point going further than the other tech leaders. When asked by Sen. Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.) if the National Institute of Standards and Technology should set standards for AI model, Altman said, 'I don't think we need it. It can be helpful.' The other witnesses said yes when asked. Altman later said he would support a 'risk-based approach' to regulations when suggested by Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.). The conversation took various twists and turns, but witnesses usually came back to the need to build and power the infrastructure used for AI development. 'We are moving towards a period of this race where the size, the magnitude of the infrastructure that is being required to move our artificial intelligence, the labs that are building it, the companies that are building it forward at the velocity that is necessary is going to be a specific challenge,' Intrator said. 'It's tough, and it will get harder as we move through time,' he added. 'Because the existing infrastructure that does have opportunity … some level of elasticity, is going to be consumed and once that is consumed,' he added. Smith said he hopes the permitting process for data centers will be sped up to accelerate this process. Altman touted the Stargate investment project as a part of this goal. The project, launched with Trump, OpenAI and the CEOs of Oracle and SoftBank, is intended to invest up to $500 billion in American infrastructure. The OpenAI co-founder's appearance on Capitol Hill comes one day after he visited one of the Stargate projects underway in Abilene, Texas. To further boost this project, Altman said OpenAI will offer a program where it will help countries build up their data center capacity in exchange for the country's investment in Stargate. Smith with Microsoft took this call a step further, telling senators the country must recruit and train skilled labor like electricians and pipe fitters, along with researchers at national labs and universities to speed up the construction and growth of the data centers. 'The United States needs hundreds of thousands of new electricians, something we should all want to get behind,' Cantwell said. Democrats on the committee took a more cautious approach when it came to the companies' demand for more energy supply. Multiple party members hammered witnesses over the environmental impact of data centers and AI infrastructure. Sen. Ed Markey (D-Mass.), one of the chamber's most aggressive advocates for action on climate change, pressed the witnesses on how the design, training and deployment of AI models pose a 'real risk for our environment.' 'The massive data centers that are critical for AI development require substantial amounts of electricity, putting stress on the grid and potentially raising costs for consumers,' Markey said. 'The truth is we know too little about both the environmental costs and benefits of AI; Mr. Altman, do you agree that the federal government should help with studying and measuring the environmental impact of AI?' Markey asked. 'I think studying and measuring is usually a good thing; I do think that the conversation about the environmental impact of AI and the relative challenges and benefits has gotten somewhat out of whack,' Altman responded. Altman suggested AI can be used to help address climate and environmental challenges, a more commonly used argument by AI developers to defend the vast amounts of energy the technology requires. 'Yes, AI may find a cure for cancer — it may — but AI could also help to contribute to a climate disaster. That's also equally true,' Markey said. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
The Hill
08-05-2025
- Business
- The Hill
Lawmakers push tech leaders on AI, energy in race with China
Leaders from Silicon Valley were met on Thursday with a new tone from Congress, where Republican lawmakers urged policymakers to prioritize tech innovation over regulations. Over the course of more than three hours, four major technology leaders, including OpenAI CEO Sam Altman, pitched their ideas to senators on how to stay ahead of China in the artificial intelligence (AI) race. Altman warned the Senate Commerce, Energy and Science Committee that the U.S. is ahead now, but China might not be that far behind. 'It is our belief that the American models including some models from OpenAI, Google and others are the best models in the world. It's very hard to say how far ahead we are, but I would say not a huge amount of time,' Altman said during the hearing titled 'Winning the AI Race: Strengthening U.S. Capabilities in Computing and Innovation.' Other witnesses included Microsoft vice chair and President Brad Smith, Lisa Su, the CEO of semiconductor maker AMD and Michael Intrator, co-founder of AI cloud computing startup CoreWeave. To keep ahead of China, Altman and the other witnesses called on Congress to prioritize AI infrastructure like data centers, training workers like electricians to help build these products and the need for open and broad access to public data. While the hearing touched upon a variety of topics from AI's energy use to discrimination in models, the push for a light-handed approach underscored both witness testimony and questions from mostly GOP lawmakers. 'Adopting a light-touch regulatory style for AI will require Congress to work alongside the president…We need to advance legislation that promotes long-term AI growth and innovation,' Senate Commerce Chair Ted Cruz (R-Texas) said in his opening remarks. Cruz called out Europe's regulation-heavy stance, warning it 'killed tech in Europe.' The tech leaders echoed this idea, while noting they would still support a streamlined federal approach that would make clear the rules and speed up development. 'One federal framework that is light touch that we can understand and lets us move with the speed that this moment calls for seems important and fine,' Altman said, later noting a state-by-state approach would be 'burdensome.' While more than 100 bills were introduced last Congress to place new rules and guardrails on AI, very few made it past the finish line. States have taken the matter into their own hands, creating a patchwork of legislation for companies to deal with. Altman's support for this approach is a sharp reversal from two years ago, when he appeared before a Democratic-majority Congress and emphasized the need for regulation and guardians on AI development. Two years later, Republicans and President Trump are back in control, with the message of prioritizing innovation over regulation to lead in the global tech space. Altman signaled an alignment with this approach, at one point going farther than the other tech leaders. When asked by Sen. Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.) if the National Institute of Standards and Technology should set standards for AI model, Altman said, 'I don't think we need it. It can be helpful.' The other witnesses said yes when asked. Altman later said he would support a 'risk-based approach' to regulations when suggested by Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.) The conversation took various twists and turns, but witnesses usually came back to the need to build and power the infrastructure used for AI development. 'We are moving towards a period of this race where the size, the magnitude of the infrastructure that is being required to move our artificial intelligence, the labs that are building it, the companies that are building it forward at the velocity that is necessary is going to be a specific challenge,' Intrator said. 'It's tough, and it will get harder as we move through time,' he added. 'Because the existing infrastructure that does have opportunity…some level of elasticity, is going to be consumed and once that is consumed,' he added. Smith said he hopes the permitting process for data centers will be sped up to accelerate this process. Altman touted the Stargate investment project as a part of this goal. The project, launched with Trump, OpenAI and the CEOs of Oracle and SoftBank, is intended to invest up to $500 billion in American infrastructure. The OpenAI co-founder's appearance on Capitol Hill comes one day after the OpenAI CEO visited one of the Stargate projects underway in Abilene, Texas. To further boost this project, Altman said OpenAI will offer a program where it will help countries build up their data center capacity in exchange for the country's investment in Stargate. Smith with Microsoft took this call a step further, telling senators the country must recruit and train skilled labor like electricians and pipe fitters, along with researchers at national labs and universities to speed up the construction and growth of the data centers. 'The United States needs hundreds of thousands of new electricians, something we should all want to get behind,' Cantwell said. Democrats on the committee took a more cautious approach when it came to the companies' demand for more energy supply. Multiple party members hammered witnesses over the environmental impact of data centers and AI infrastructure. Sen. Ed Markey (D-Mass.), one of the chamber's most aggressive advocates for action on climate change, pressed the witnesses on how the design, training and deployment of AI models pose a 'real risk for our environment.' 'The massive data centers that are critical for AI development require substantial amounts of electricity, putting stress on the grid and potentially raising costs for consumers,' Markey said. 'The truth is we know too little about both the environmental costs and benefits of AI, Mr. Altman, do you agree that the federal government should help with studying and measuring the environmental impact of AI?' Markey asked. 'I think studying and measuring is usually a good thing, I do think that the conversation about the environmental impact of AI and the relative challenges and benefits has gotten somewhat out of whack,' Altman responded. Altman suggested AI can be used to help address climate and environmental challenges, a more commonly used argument by AI developers to defend the vast amounts of energy the technology requires. 'Yes, AI may find a cure for cancer, it may, but AI could also help to contribute to a climate disaster. That's also equally true,' Markey said.
Yahoo
06-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Blue state Republican calls on county sheriffs to defy sanctuary law, Dem governor rumored for 2028 run
EXCLUSIVE — Rep. Mary Miller, R-Ill., is calling on sheriffs in her state to defy Democratic Gov. J.B. Pritzker and the state's sanctuary laws and instead uphold federal immigration law. Miller said the state's sanctuary policies have transformed the Land of Lincoln into a "cesspool of crime and drugs." She is calling on sheriffs in the state to "act now" and ignore Pritzker's attempts to circumvent President Donald Trump on immigration law and instead work directly with U.S. Customs and Immigration Enforcement (ICE) on deportations. This comes as Pritzker and Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson, also a Democrat, have emerged as some of the nation's leading resistance voices against the Trump administration, especially when it comes to his crackdown on illegal immigration. The Democratic-majority Illinois legislature passed the TRUST Act in 2017, which limits local law enforcement's ability to cooperate with ICE and bars them from enforcing immigration law. Illegal Immigrant Released By Biden Admin Pleads Not Guilty To Murder Of Georgia Grandmother Pritzker, who is seen as a possible 2028 presidential candidate, has continued to fight the administration, even denouncing Trump as an "authoritarian" and calling for mass protests to disrupt the president's agenda, saying Republicans "cannot know a moment of peace." Read On The Fox News App The Democratic governor has also vowed to resist the administration's immigration agenda and has said that Trump and border czar Tom Homan are "the ones who are threatening people." ICE has said that state and local policies inhibiting law enforcement from cooperating with ICE endangers federal agents and communities by allowing public safety threats to walk free. The Trump Department of Justice (DOJ) has filed legal charges against Pritzker, Johnson and several other Chicago officials for refusing to honor ICE detainers, which the department said, "obstructs ICE from assuming custody of an alien in a safe and controlled manner." In its filing, the DOJ said that "when a detainer is not honored or an alien is released from a non-federal facility without notification or transfer to ICE, ICE must conduct investigations and perform targeted enforcement actions to re-apprehend the alien. And while ICE is undertaking re-apprehension efforts, the alien remains at-large in the community and free to commit further crimes or otherwise threaten public safety." Dhs Unleashes Possible Money-saving Measure For Illegal Aliens To Self-deport: 'Safest Option' US Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents walk down a street during a multi-agency, targeted enforcement operation in Chicago on Sunday, Jan. 26, 2025. Though police departments are typically under the direct control of city officials, sheriffs are elected by the people they serve and often have more leeway to enforce the law unimpeded by political pressure. As such, Miller is urging sheriffs across the state to stand against Pritzker and state authorities and enforce immigration law. "I call on every local sheriff in Illinois to defy these dangerous directives, cooperate with ICE, and support President Trump's deportation efforts," Miller said to Fox News Digital. She said that "Pritzker's sanctuary state policies have transformed Illinois into a cesspool of crime and drugs brought by the illegals he is actively resettling." Father Whose Son Died From Fentanyl Warns Overdoses 'Can Happen To Anyone' As States Fight Deadly Crisis U.S. Representative Mary Miller (R-IL) gives remarks after receiving an endorsement during a Save America Rally with then-former President Donald Trump at the Adams County Fairgrounds on June 25, 2022 in Mendon, Illinois. "Our communities are being overwhelmed, innocent girls are being raped, and Americans are being ruthlessly murdered," she added. "These are the tragic consequences of his failed leadership." "We must act now before one more innocent American life is lost or harmed," she said. Pritzker's office did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital's request for comment. Original article source: Blue state Republican calls on county sheriffs to defy sanctuary law, Dem governor rumored for 2028 run
Express Tribune
05-05-2025
- Business
- Express Tribune
Hawaii passes lodging tax hike to protect environment from climate threats
Listen to article Hawaii lawmakers passed landmark legislation on Friday that will increase taxes on short-term tourist accommodations and cruise ships, with revenue directed toward environmental protection and climate resilience. Governor Josh Green has expressed support for the bill and is expected to sign it into law. The legislation adds a 0.75% surcharge to the state's current 10.25% lodging tax, which applies to hotel rooms, vacation rentals, and timeshares. It also introduces a new 11% tax on cruise ship bills, prorated based on the number of days ships spend in Hawaiian ports. The combined effect will push the total checkout tax rate on lodging to 18.712% – one of the highest in the United States when county and excise taxes are included. Officials estimate the new taxes will generate nearly \$100 million per year. Funds raised from the surcharge and cruise ship tax will be earmarked exclusively for environmental initiatives. These include restoring Waikiki beaches, removing fire-prone invasive grasses, and reinforcing homes against hurricanes. The bill received broad support in the state's Democratic-majority legislature. Experts say Hawaii is the first U.S. state to implement a tourism tax dedicated to fighting climate change. 'This is about protecting the very reason people come to Hawaii — our natural beauty,' Governor Green said in an interview. He added that the modest increase was unlikely to deter visitors and could even encourage environmentally conscious travel. Zane Edleman, a tourist from Chicago said he could envision the extra cost prompting some travelers to head elsewhere else like Florida. But he said it would depend on how the state shares information about what it does with the money. 'If you really focus on the point — this is to save the climate and actually have proof that this is where the funds are going, and that there's an actual result that's happening from that, I think people could buy into it,' Edleman said. John Pele, head of the Maui Hotel and Lodging Association, said the goals were worthy but noted rising costs may affect tourism: 'Will we be taxing tourists out of wanting to come here? That remains to be seen.' The original draft of the legislation proposed a steeper increase but was revised after concerns from the hospitality sector. Lawmakers say the final version strikes a balance between sustaining tourism and funding environmental action.
Yahoo
30-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Laptops stolen from Republican legislators' office in Los Lunas
At the end of the 60-day legislative session last month, Republican lawmakers bemoaned what they described as a failure by the Democratic-majority Legislature to address crime. Now, four of them can speak from experience. A legislative office in Los Lunas shared by four Republicans — a senator and three House members, including Minority Leader Gail Armstrong of Magdalena — was broken into and burglarized, Senate Republican spokesperson Brandon Harris said Tuesday. "While this is an ongoing investigation, we are aware that several laptop computers provided to staff were stolen," he said, adding the crime was discovered earlier that day. The Los Lunas Police Department did not immediately return a message seeking comment late Tuesday. While burglaries are not uncommon in New Mexico, the burglary of a legislative office comes on the heels of a session Republican leaders called "unproductive and disappointing" and ahead of a midterm election where crime and public safety are sure to be major themes — and a source of ammunition against Democrats. Democratic Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham, who also expressed disappointment with the Legislature's inaction on her public safety proposals, has indicated she plans to call a special session focused on tackling crime. The same day the session ended, Republican leaders sent the governor a letter requesting she call an immediate special session to address New Mexico's "violent crime crisis" as well as the state's shortage of health care providers. "This [break-in] just speaks to the growing crime crisis that New Mexicans face every single day," Armstrong said in a statement. "During the legislative session, Republicans came to Santa Fe to work and find solutions that would secure our communities," she said. "But, the progressive majority refused to act. This break-in is not a unique situation. It's something the people of our state face every day, and it's not OK." The legislative office is among a new wave of offices lawmakers are opening in or near their districts to better serve constituents as part of a larger effort to modernize the Legislature. The offices are staffed by legislative aides. In addition to Armstrong, the office in Los Lunas is shared by Sen. Joshua Sanchez, R-Bosque, and Reps. Brian Baca and Tanya Mirabal Moya, both of Los Lunas. Sanchez expressed disappointment not just in the break-in but what he characterized as a missed opportunity during the session. "We can't even have an office to serve constituents and community members without New Mexico's out-of-control crime crisis ruining it," he said in a statement. "This last session was an opportunity for us lawmakers to do something about crime but the Democrats opposed all of our tough-on-crime bills," he continued. "Until lawmakers get serious about improving public safety, it's more of the same in our communities: burglaries, auto theft, drug dealing, and gang violence."
