AI: his weapons and Cabinet office bills
What they say
In the October 6 debate, Barrett said he had just introduced a bill to create a Cabinet-level official for AI and emerging technology threats, had introduced legislation to ban AI-driven lethal weapons on the battlefield, and had called on the State Department to pursue a treaty on AI.
What the record shows ·
Congress.gov lists him as the sponsor of H.R. 10768, introduced October 9, 2026, three days after the debate. It would create an Office of Artificial Intelligence and Emerging Technology Threats in the Executive Office of the President; his office says its head would sit in the Cabinet. Congress.gov lists him as an original cosponsor of the Human Authority over Autonomous Weapons Act (H.R. 9729), introduced by Rep. Don Beyer on July 16, 2026. It would require human oversight or approval before the military uses an AI weapon to kill. On September 29 he wrote to Secretary of State Marco Rubio and U.N. Ambassador Mike Waltz asking for regular talks with other countries on AI, including ideas for an international AI treaty.
Limit: The Cabinet office bill was introduced three days after he said he had just introduced it. The weapons bill requires human control of lethal strikes rather than banning AI weapons. Neither bill has had a vote.