AI Emergency Button Act
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AI Emergency Button Act[1]
United States — federal[1]
Proposed legislation[1]
Senate unanimous-consent passage blocked September 16, 2026.[4] House companion introduced and referred to Science, Space, and Technology September 24, 2026.[2]
No operative date established; proposed rulemaking deadline depends on enactment.[1]
October 8, 2026: House introduced text and referral reviewed; Senate index checked September 18 and sponsor materials September 17.
Overview
On September 16, 2026, Senator Rand Paul objected to Senator John Kennedy’s request for unanimous-consent passage of the AI Emergency Button Act, according to Kennedy’s office. The objection prevented passage by that procedure; it was not a recorded vote rejecting the bill.[4]
Proposed requirements
The sponsor-posted draft would require entities developing or operating advanced AI systems in the United States to provide a technical capability for a human operator to shut the system down. It would direct the Secretary of Homeland Security to issue compliance regulations within 90 days of enactment. The posted draft leaves the Senate bill number and introduction date blank.[1]
The Congressional Record Index identifies the measure as S. 5417 and links it to Senate page S4757 for September 16, 2026.[3]
House companion: September 24, 2026
Representative Thomas Kean introduced H.R. 10567 on September 24, 2026; it was referred to the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology. The introduced text would require entities developing or operating advanced AI systems in the United States to include a human-controlled shutdown capability. It directs the Secretary of Homeland Security, consulting relevant federal agencies, to issue compliance regulations within 90 days of enactment.[2]
Related coverage
- September 16, 2026 digest
- September 27, 2026 digest — House companion proposal
- United States Federal Authorities