In this letter, The Software & Information Industry Association (SIIA) urges Congress to prioritize and pass essential AI legislation before the 118th Session concludes. SIIA commends bipartisan efforts in both the Senate and House to shape U.S. AI policy and emphasizes the importance of legislation like the Future of AI Innovation Act and the AI Advancement and Reliability Act. These bills aim to establish a coordinated federal body for AI safety, thereby protecting national security and maintaining U.S. leadership in AI innovation. SIIA also highlights the importance of additional legislation to support AI research, workforce development, standards, and to address challenges posed by AI in sensitive areas like elections and deepfakes.

SIIA advises Congress against passing the ENFORCE Act, which imposes export controls on AI models, warning that such a measure could hinder U.S. competitiveness. Instead, it advocates for sufficient funding to support initiatives like the U.S. AI Safety Institute and the National AI Research Resource. These resources, SIIA argues, are critical for the U.S. to sustain its global AI leadership, ensuring robust infrastructure for testing, accountability, and collaboration. SIIA offers its continued support to Congress in advancing a balanced approach to AI legislation.