Kratsios Defends Federal AI Standards in House Science Committee Hearing

On January 14, Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP) Director Michael Kratsios defended the Trump Administration’s federal standards on artificial intelligence (AI) in front of the House Science, Space, and Technology (SST) Committee. As previously reported, the Trump Administration unveiled Winning the Race: America’s AI Action Plan last year, which outlines future federal policy actions designed to ensure the U.S. is a leader in global AI development across scientific, practical, and creative uses. Notably, Congressional members raised concerns about the Administration’s restriction of state’s ability to pass laws on AI development and usage, which was passed as a provision in the Big, Beautiful Bill (see previous COSSA coverage). The provision was controversial among both Democrats and Republicans but ultimately passed. Further, in December 2025, the Trump Administration doubled down with a clarifying Executive Order, Ensuring a National Policy Framework for Artificial Intelligence, which aims to allow companies to innovate by eliminating “cumbersome regulation” at the federal level through the establishment of a “minimally burdensome national policy framework for AI” (see previous COSSA coverage).

While there was agreement among the committee that the government should be responsible for constructing guardrails for the development and implementation of AI across the U.S., some Democratic members, including Rep. Hayley Stevens (D-MI) who currently serves as the Ranking Member of the Research and Technology Subcommittee, raised concerns over the Administration’s funding cuts, grant cancellations, and workforce reductions to agencies like the National Institute of Science and Technology (NIST), which have previously, along with several other agencies, led AI research, development, and regulation in the federal government. To this end, Kratsios emphasized that the Administration continues to prioritize AI research and provide funding opportunities to “Americans” despite their attempts to “right-size” the federal budget. Despite his assurances, his comments raised further concerns in the community about the Administration’s intent to restrict foreign researchers from participating in the U.S. scientific research enterprise. A recording of the hearing can be viewed here.

Stay tuned for COSSA’s continued coverage on AI.