Democrats in the United States are preparing a wave of artificial intelligence bills to introduce when they take control of Congress in January 2027, with three priorities at the centre of the agenda: independent safety testing of advanced AI systems, clearer liability for companies when their products cause harm, and protection for consumers from rising electricity costs linked to data centres.

Lawmakers, congressional aides and advocates described the plans to Reuters, according to Crypto Briefing. In the House, Representative Lori Trahan is pushing legislation that would require independent experts to evaluate leading AI models against safety standards, alongside measures clarifying when companies can be held responsible for harmful actions by their AI systems.

Senator Chuck Schumer, who is expected to become Senate Majority Leader, said at a Washington event on 5 November that shielding consumers from higher energy costs tied to data-centre expansion would be among his priorities next year. Representative Zoe Lofgren is also backing the broader agenda.

The groundwork is not entirely new. A House Democratic Commission released a policy roadmap for AI regulation earlier in 2026, and Trahan and Republican Representative Jay Obernolte introduced the FRONTIER Act in July 2026, although it did not advance in the Republican-led Congress. Trahan has also circulated a discussion draft known as the CLAIM Act, which would create a federal right to sue developers over AI conduct that would be unlawful if a person committed it.

There are steep limits on how far the plans can go. President Donald Trump has opposed mandatory AI rules, a presidential veto remains available, and most legislation needs 60 Senate votes to overcome a filibuster. No final bill text, vote schedule or total number of bills has been reported, so the agenda remains a statement of intent rather than law.