# Lawmakers Back Targeted AI Safeguards

Representatives Brett Guthrie and Ted Lieu support targeted federal safeguards for artificial intelligence while opposing a pause on AI development. The proposed AI Kill Switch Act would require covered developers to be able to slow, suspend, or shut down certain systems, report incidents, and preserve forensic records. Oregon is developing AI procurement safeguards that may include independent safety reviews and kill-switch considerations. For contractors selling or integrating AI systems for government, these proposals could shape future system-control, incident-response, and evaluation expectations, but the signal does not describe enacted requirements.

- Companies providing covered AI systems can assess whether their products support controlled slowdown or shutdown, incident reporting, and preservation of forensic records—the capabilities described in the proposed act.
- Contractors serving Oregon agencies should account for the state’s developing procurement safeguards, which may include independent safety reviews and kill-switch considerations.
- The federal legislation is proposed, not an established compliance mandate; procurement teams should distinguish potential future requirements from current contractual obligations.

**Jurisdictions:** federal
**Industries:** Information Technology
**Topics:** Artificial Intelligence
**Published:** October 08, 2026

### Government Entities
- United States Congress (Congress)
- U.S. House of Representatives (House)
- State of Oregon

### Key Quotes
> China’s not going to stop, and so we have to say, all right, what’s the immediate threat?
> — Brett Guthrie, U.S. Representative

> If it goes rogue or if it’s got capabilities you did not expect, you got to be able to turn it off.
> — Ted Lieu, U.S. Representative

### Sources
- [Lawmakers Say Slowing Down AI Development Is Not an Option – MeriTalk](https://www.meritalk.com/articles/lawmakers-say-slowing-down-ai-development-is-not-an-option) - MeriTalk