Silicon Valley Legislator Previews Congressional Action in Pentagon-Anthropic Dispute

WASHINGTON, D.C–In the wake of the recent Anthropic-Pentagon contract dispute, Congressman Sam Liccardo (CA-16) announced that he will introduce a relevant  amendment to the Defense Production Act (DPA), 50 U.S.C. §§4501 et seq, at this week’s Financial Services Committee markup.  Liccardo represents much of Silicon Valley, chairs the New Democrat Coalition’s Technology & Innovation Workforce Task Force.  

Specifically, as Liccardo describes it,“I will introduce an amendment to the Defense Production Act to prohibit agencies from retaliating against vendors and developers of high-risk technologies–such as artificial intelligence, where those vendors seek to limit the deployment of their technology in ways to mitigate the risk to United States citizens.”  

Liccardo explained,  “AI governance will have massive impacts on Americans, and on our future.  For those experts who understand the enormity of what lies at stake, mere assertions from the Pentagon that will “follow the law” offer little assurance where Congress has not meaningfully legislated in this space.  Where responsible companies seek to implement reasonable guardrails, federal agencies must not use “supply chain risk” monikers or DPA mandates to punish those companies.  Instead, Congress and federal agencies should learn from leading industry thinkers to better manage AI deployment.”

Liccardo concluded, “I urge colleagues in both parties to support an amendment that protects our citizens and service members, safeguards civil liberties, and strengthens innovation in the name of national security.”