A bipartisan group of 25 state attorneys general called on Congress this week to enact comprehensive federal regulations for artificial intelligence. The letter, led by Connecticut Attorney General William Tong, highlights recent incidents showing how unchecked AI development threatens public safety, the financial system, critical infrastructure, and national security.

The coalition urged lawmakers to pass substantive rules that ensure intentional development pace, built-in safety and transparency, and continued state oversight authority. Signatories include attorneys general from Arizona, California, Colorado, Delaware, Hawaii, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, Wisconsin, the District of Columbia, and American Samoa.

The push comes amid ongoing debates over federal preemption of state AI laws. Earlier efforts in 2025 to impose broad moratoriums on state regulations faced strong bipartisan resistance from state officials and were ultimately rejected by the Senate in a 99-1 vote. States have already advanced measures on issues like deepfakes, chatbot safety for minors, data privacy, and automated decision-making.

Republican-led states such as Florida and Utah have also pursued AI controls independently. Florida officials have pursued legal action against major AI companies, while Utah Governor Spencer Cox advocated for federal safety standards that preserve state flexibility. Critics of federal inaction point to risks including AI-assisted crimes and threats to children as reasons for prompt congressional involvement.

The letter stresses the need for international cooperation on AI advancement and prohibitions on overly broad preemption that would strip states of enforcement power. With no comprehensive federal framework in place, the attorneys general argue that states remain best positioned to respond quickly to emerging threats while Congress develops national standards.

This latest appeal reflects growing pressure on federal leaders to address AI governance amid rapid technological progress and reports of harmful applications.