Union Leaders Urge Congress to Reject the Great American AI Act

WASHINGTON-Following the release of the Great American Artificial Intelligence Act, a federal AI framework including pre-emption of state laws, by Reps. Jay Obernolte (R-Calif.) and Lori Trahan (D-Mass.), AFT President Randi Weingarten and Association of Flight Attendants-CWA President Sara Nelson issued the following joint statement echoing the statement of the AFL-CIO:

"Our response to the Great American AI Act is simple: Hard no. This bill is a giveaway to the AI industry and a handful of trillion-dollar companies, at the expense of American workers.

"In recent polls, overwhelming majorities of Americans say AI regulation is an urgent issue. They are deeply worried about the harm AI is already causing in our workplaces, our children's lives, our schools, our hospitals, our communities and our democracy.

"Instead of acting to address Americans' concerns, the Obernolte-Trahan bill blocks responsible state laws and gives free rein to a handful of billionaires who have already shown they cannot be trusted to put public interest ahead of profit.

"This bill advances this administration's agenda by putting the corporate agenda over workers' rights, civil rights and our children's safety.

"We join our union siblings, tech industry watchdogs and everyday Americans in urging Congress to reject this giveaway to Silicon Valley and instead work on real regulation that protects our rights and our society."

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The AFT represents 1.8 million pre-K through 12th-grade teachers; paraprofessionals and other school-related personnel; higher education faculty and professional staff; federal, state and local government employees; nurses and healthcare workers; and early childhood educators.