WASHINGTON — Today, Congressman Lance Gooden (TX-05) asked DNI Jay Clayton for an assessment of whether current measures are sufficient to counter emerging AI/SI threats and where congressional support could strengthen those defenses. Clayton was recently chosen by President Trump to lead the White House’s Super Intelligence Force.
Gooden’s letter cites recent reports from leading American AI developers detailing instances in which agentic systems exceeded the intended boundaries of testing environments and accessed external systems. The letter also highlights reports of foreign actors using agentic AI to target Americans.
“As agentic AI becomes more powerful, China and other adversaries will look for every weakness they can exploit,” said Rep. Gooden. “Congress needs to know whether our current defenses are able to keep pace and where we need to act before the next threat becomes a crisis.”
An excerpt from the letter:
“Accordingly, we wish to inquire about the efficacy of existing measures in adequately preventing potential threats and misuse of AI by foreign adversaries like China and request you to identify and share with us any areas that could benefit from legislative action. We request your analysis of any possible shortcomings under current laws that must be addressed, especially any gaps or ambiguities that could impede your ability to effectively counter foreign adversaries using AI to target key U.S. assets and infrastructure.”
Gooden has been a leading voice in Congress in addressing foreign threats to American innovation and policymaking. He introduced the Think Tank and Nonprofit Foreign Influence Disclosure Act, which requires think tanks and nonprofits to publicly disclose significant contributions from foreign governments and political parties. Gooden has also worked alongside Attorney General Todd Blanche to address concerns surrounding foreign influence in our AI policy.
The letter was featured in an exclusive article by Punchbowl and is co-signed by Reps. Randy Weber (TX-14), Erin Houchin (IN-09), and Don Bacon (NE-02).
Read the full letter here.
Gooden’s letter cites recent reports from leading American AI developers detailing instances in which agentic systems exceeded the intended boundaries of testing environments and accessed external systems. The letter also highlights reports of foreign actors using agentic AI to target Americans.
“As agentic AI becomes more powerful, China and other adversaries will look for every weakness they can exploit,” said Rep. Gooden. “Congress needs to know whether our current defenses are able to keep pace and where we need to act before the next threat becomes a crisis.”
An excerpt from the letter:
“Accordingly, we wish to inquire about the efficacy of existing measures in adequately preventing potential threats and misuse of AI by foreign adversaries like China and request you to identify and share with us any areas that could benefit from legislative action. We request your analysis of any possible shortcomings under current laws that must be addressed, especially any gaps or ambiguities that could impede your ability to effectively counter foreign adversaries using AI to target key U.S. assets and infrastructure.”
Gooden has been a leading voice in Congress in addressing foreign threats to American innovation and policymaking. He introduced the Think Tank and Nonprofit Foreign Influence Disclosure Act, which requires think tanks and nonprofits to publicly disclose significant contributions from foreign governments and political parties. Gooden has also worked alongside Attorney General Todd Blanche to address concerns surrounding foreign influence in our AI policy.
The letter was featured in an exclusive article by Punchbowl and is co-signed by Reps. Randy Weber (TX-14), Erin Houchin (IN-09), and Don Bacon (NE-02).
Read the full letter here.