Senator Bernie Sanders and Representative Greg Casar introduced the Ban Artificial Superintelligence Act on September 23, 2026. The bill would permanently prohibit developing or deploying artificial superintelligence, defined as AI that exceeds human cognitive performance across most domains or could destroy or disempower humanity.

Violations would carry up to 20 years in prison for individuals, comparable to penalties for unlawful nuclear weapons development. Companies would face a "corporate death penalty." The bill would create a cabinet-level Department of Artificial Intelligence and pause advanced AI work until it writes safety rules.

Four capabilities would stop immediately: developing biochemical weapons, AI that builds new AI in place of humans, subverting shutdown commands, and unauthorized cyberattacks. Later, advanced systems would need federal approval before deployment, with firms submitting pre-development plans.

The bill also directs the US to pursue international agreements and export controls to keep superintelligence from being built anywhere. Sanders said, "When you are racing towards a cliff, you don't just ease up on the gas pedal. You hit the brakes." Ten Democrats co-sponsor it, with backing from OpenAI and Google DeepMind employees plus the ACLU and EFF.

It is only an introduced bill, with no Republican co-sponsor and no committee vote scheduled, so it faces long odds in the Republican-controlled Congress.