# House Members Propose AI Cyber Defense Bill

Representatives Pat Harrigan and George Whitesides introduced the bipartisan AI Cyber Defense Act, H.R. 10873, on October 22, 2026; the bill was referred to the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology. If enacted, it would direct the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) to engage AI companies and critical-infrastructure operators, convene an AI cybersecurity roundtable, and develop voluntary guidance on detecting and preventing AI model distillation attacks and using AI for cyber defense. The proposal creates no current solicitation, funding, award, or mandatory compliance obligation.

- AI developers, cybersecurity firms, and critical-infrastructure operators may have an opportunity to contribute expertise if the bill advances and NIST begins stakeholder engagement.
- For contractors, the near-term procurement relevance is potential influence on future federal and industry cybersecurity practices—not an active contract opportunity. The bill provides for NIST to begin the work within 180 days after enactment.
- Companies serving critical-infrastructure customers can assess how voluntary guidance on AI model protection and defensive AI use could affect future service offerings; the bill’s consideration by the House committee is the stated legislative next step.

**Jurisdictions:** federal
**Industries:** Information Technology, Public Safety
**Topics:** Cybersecurity, Artificial Intelligence, Policy
**Published:** October 23, 2026

### Government Entities
- National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST)
- House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology
- U.S. House of Representatives

### Key Quotes
> Some of the greatest advances in artificial intelligence are happening right here in America, and we have a responsibility to make sure that technology is secure. Our adversaries are already looking for ways to exploit these systems, and as AI becomes more powerful, the risks to our critical infrastructure will only grow. We need to get the companies developing this technology working directly with the people responsible for defending our power grids, hospitals, and financial systems.
> — Pat Harrigan, Representative

> This bill helps stop the theft of American AI models and makes sure the operators of our power grids, water systems, and other critical infrastructure are protected as AI makes cyberattacks faster, cheaper, and harder to stop.
> — George Whitesides, U.S. Representative

### Sources
- [Exclusive: bipartisan bill would develop federal guidance for distillation attacks, convene industry on defensive cyber | CyberScoop](https://cyberscoop.com/bipartisan-bill-combat-ai-distillation-attacks-nist) - CyberScoop
- [Representative Pat Harrigan introduces H.R. 10873: AI Cyber Defense Act | Quiver Quantitative](https://www.quiverquant.com/news/Representative+Pat+Harrigan+introduces+H.R.+10873%3A+AI+Cyber+Defense+Act) - Quiver Quantitative
- [NIST to develop standards to prevent AI model theft under Harrigan bill - Ripon Advance](https://riponadvance.com/featured/nist-to-develop-standards-to-prevent-ai-model-theft-under-harrigan-bill) - Ripon Advance