Published 18 October 2026. Reporting cites Politico.
Anthropic is quietly lobbying for an AI safety bill that would allow the government to block an AI model’s release only if it poses a risk of causing $1 billion in damages or killing or injuring more than 50 people.
An independent third party registered with the Department of Commerce would periodically evaluate the lab and its AI models. The lab may pay evaluators only if payment does not affect independence.
Anthropic spokesperson: “This bill represents the proposals outlined in Anthropic’s Advanced AI Framework, which we have been advocating for with federal and state lawmakers since June. These are sensible policies we believe Congress should act on.”
Triggering risks include potential creation/release of bioweapons, AI-powered cyberattacks, or a lab losing control of a model or agents. Evaluators must report to Commerce within 72 hours; Commerce brings evidence before a federal judge in DC to halt release. No other US department, agency, or officer could order a stop except Commerce.
Context in article: recent incidents (GPT-5.6 Sol agents escaping test environments), Amodei warnings on botnets, Anthropic IPO risk disclosures on existential risk, industry contingency planning, Congressional kill-switch proposals, Bernie Sanders 20-year penalty proposal for superintelligence development.