Following an alarming warning raised by an Anthropic employee resigning in protest over the threat of artificial intelligence to the very survival of humanity, members of Congress are giving more serious consideration to regulating A.I. Rep. Greg Casar talks with Jen Psaki about legislation he is introducing with Senator Bernie Sanders called the Ban Superintelligence Act to make sure A.I. does not get dangerously out of control.
House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.) faces mounting behind-the-scenes frustration from progressive lawmakers and candidates that's likely to burst into public view after the midterm elections. Why it matters: Unless Democrats win a big enough House majority in November to govern without the progressive wing, a Speaker Jeffries would have to contend with the left flank's demands. An influx of Democratic Socialists of America-aligned members in January will compound latent distrust of Jeffries that's festering in some corners of the Congressional Progressive Caucus. - "He's got a lot of people mad at him," a senior House Democrat, speaking on the condition of anonymity to share details of sensitive private discussions, told…
Dozens of Latino lawmakers and leaders are pressuring Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear, who chairs the Democratic Governors Association, to invest $10 million in the Texas governor's race, according to a letter to Beshear that Axios obtained. - Texas state Rep. Gina Hinojosa, who polls suggest is running a strong challenge to Gov. Greg Abbott (R), is trying to become Texas' first Latino governor. Beshear must decide soon how to invest the DGA's cash in the 36 states with governor's races in November. Why it matters: Beshear is considering a presidential run in 2028. Latino voters are critical in the early primary states of Nevada and New Mexico, and are a key swing vote in general elections. - Beshear's decision on where to spend tens of…
An upcoming House vote on a measure blocking U.S. aid to Israel has Democrats divided over how far they should go to signal displeasure with the Netanyahu government. Why it matters: The vote is revealing just how much anxiety Democratic lawmakers have about the growing anti-Israel sentiments coming from their grassroots base. - "Even I'm a lean yes and think it's a crappy amendment," said one House Democrat, speaking on the condition of anonymity to offer candid thoughts on their vote. - "For me, it's more of a signal that something needs to change and we can't just provide aid despite how it's being used," the lawmaker said, predicting "at least 40" of their colleagues will vote for the measure. Driving the news: The House is…
House Democrats grappled privately Tuesday morning with a vote to pare back U.S. aid to Israel in what one senior lawmakers described as an "intense" meeting. Why it matters: Many lawmakers are caught between substantive concerns about the measure and fear of intense backlash from their base if they oppose it. - "It's so poorly drafted," said one House Democrat, speaking on the condition of anonymity to share details of sensitive internal discussions, referencing concerns that, as written, the proposal could choke off not only military aid but diplomatic funding. - The lawmaker alluded to the political pressure Democrats are facing to support any anti-Israel measure, telling Axios: "We know it's crap, but..." - Another House Democrat…
House Democrats are watching with trepidation as another one of their veteran colleagues tries to fend off a left-wing challenger in the Colorado primaries on Tuesday. Why it matters: The race will help reveal whether the big anti-establishment victories in New York last week were one-offs or a sign of the new normal for longtime Democratic incumbents. - Rep. Diana DeGette (D-Colo.) has told colleagues that she thinks she will ultimately prevail over attorney and PhD student Melat Kiros but is taking the challenge seriously, multiple lawmakers told Axios. - "I think it's quite likely DeGette will lose," said one House Democrat who spoke on the condition of anonymity to offer candid analysis on the race. - "Democratic leadership that…
Democratic leaders accused Maureen Galindo of antisemitism and are trying to stop her from winning the party’s primary in a contested U.S. House district.
House Democrats are in a mad dash to isolate Texas Democratic congressional candidate Maureen Galindo , who has said she wants to turn an ICE facility into a "prison for American Zionists." Why it matters: A mysterious PAC is spending hundreds of thousands to boost Galindo, which Democrats allege is a Republican attempt to ensure the GOP candidate in that district faces a weak opponent in November. - "House Republican leadership must immediately cease propping up this antisemitic candidacy," House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.) and Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee chair Suzan DelBene (D-Wash.) said in a statement Tuesday evening. - Galindo did not respond to multiple requests for comment, with a spokesperson for the…
Progressives plan to exert more pressure in Democratic congressional primaries to get the left to coalesce behind one viable candidate rather than split the vote and create an opening for moderates, Axios has learned. Why it matters: This new strategy reflects how progressives are adapting after a bruising Illinois primary night in which they won just one of the four open House races they were targeting. - It was a disappointing result for the left after their shock win in a New Jersey special election last month to replace now-Gov. Mikie Sherrill. - "I think because we had these wins, the progressive movement is like, 'Okay, we're going to win everywhere,'" Rep. Ro Khanna (D-Calif.) told Axios. - The California Democrat, who endorsed…
Democrats must commit to tailored, economically focused messaging to win back Latino voters in the 2026 midterms, Univision executive Ignacio Meyer said Saturday at Axios House at SXSW. Why it matters: Latinos — the up-for-grabs voting force that could decide 2026's razor-thin congressional battles — propelled President Trump's 2024 victory with record GOP support, about 48% nationally . - "Hispanic voters are largely sophisticated or largely independent, and they want to be swayed by issues," Meyer said . - "They do not want to be spoken to about partisan politics." State of play: Meyer called it a "big disconnect" that politicians ignore Latinos' cultural clout in news, sports and music, despite their explosive growth. - And he…
