Lance Gooden Urges DOJ Probe Into Foreign Influence on U.S. AI Policy

Representative Lance Gooden (R-TX) is urging Attorney General Todd Blanche and the Department of Justice (DOJ) to investigate the foreign influence on U.S. AI policy.

In a letter to Blanche, Rep. Gooden cites reports of foreign actors using state-backed propaganda, affiliated nonprofits and opaque funding to influence U.S. AI policy and undermine American leadership in the field. AI leadership. Reps. Randy Weber (R-TX), Nathaniel Moran (R-TX) and Pat Fallon (R-TX) are among its co-signers.

"Artificial intelligence will shape the future of our economy, national security and global competitiveness," Rep. Gooden said. "The United States cannot allow foreign adversaries to manipulate our AI policy and compromise our leadership on this technology.”

This comes as lawmakers, though gone from Capitol Hill to campaign for the midterms, continue grappling with how to regulate AI. Earlier this month, AI industry leaders called for Congress to pass federal legislation establishing clear rules for AI development and deployment.

In the letter, the lawmakers note that Americans are increasingly concerned about AI development, including how foreign-linked entities may shape policy debates in ways that align with the strategic interests of adversaries like China.

“AI is rapidly becoming a central component of our economic competitiveness and national security,” the lawmakers wrote. “To ensure American policymaking remains free from covert foreign influence, participants in policy debates should not have vested interests or undisclosed financial relationships with our nation’s adversaries.”

These recent developments, the lawmakers argue, also indicate possible “vulnerabilities” in current foreign disclosure laws that may be inadequate to prevent or expose covert foreign influence.

“To ensure the confidence of the American people in critical emerging technologies, these debates must be driven by legitimate domestic concerns that prioritize American interests without being influenced by undisclosed foreign interests,” the lawmakers wrote.