U.S. Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand is pressing Congress to act on artificial intelligence oversight, repeal a 50% tariff on Canadian goods and expand research and care for women going through menopause.
The New York Democrat outlined the three priorities during an interview with CNN's Pamela Brown, arguing that each requires immediate federal attention. The interview followed Gillibrand's introduction of tariff legislation and came before a Senate hearing on menopause care.
Gillibrand seeks immediate AI hearings
Gillibrand said Congress should begin hearings on artificial intelligence immediately and work on a bipartisan basis to establish guidelines and oversight. She described AI as a technology with the potential to accelerate medical breakthroughs while also creating harms that require clear safeguards.
She said federal rules should keep people at the center of AI systems while allowing the United States to remain competitive. Gillibrand also called for the wealth created by AI to support a jobs guarantee, health care and education, though she did not provide details of such a plan in the interview.
Gillibrand said lawmakers need regular engagement with AI companies, noting that some companies have requested regulatory clarity. She argued that oversight should account for models performing tasks sooner than experts expected and should require alignment with human interests.
The senator also pointed to her work on defense legislation. She said she sought requirements for a person to remain involved in decisions involving offensive weapons and nuclear weapons, as well as restrictions on the use of AI for domestic surveillance.
Gillibrand distinguished defensive systems that could help intercept missiles from systems that select targets or decide when and where to launch an attack. She said decisions involving offensive weapons should always have human oversight.
Bill would end Canadian tariffs
Gillibrand also discussed the BAD DEAL Act, which she introduced with U.S. Sen. Peter Welch. The measure would repeal the 50% tariffs on Canadian goods and refund duties already paid, according to the release announcing the interview.
Asked how refunds would work, Gillibrand emphasized that the bill would eliminate the tariffs. She did not explain the refund process in the excerpt released by her office.
Gillibrand said the tariffs would raise prices for New Yorkers on food, clothing, household goods and building materials. Higher building-material costs, she argued, would also add pressure to the cost of renting an apartment or buying a home.
She described the tariffs as illegal and economically disruptive. Her remarks represented her assessment of the policy; the interview excerpt did not include a response from the Trump administration or supporters of the tariffs.
Senate hearing to focus on menopause care
Gillibrand said the Senate Special Committee on Aging, where she serves as ranking member, would hold what her office described as the first congressional hearing focused on menopause. She said the hearing was intended to address gaps in research, information and treatment.
The senator said 75 million women in the United States are in perimenopause, menopause or postmenopause. She argued that research and care have not kept pace with the number of people affected.
Symptoms can range widely and can be debilitating, Gillibrand said. She said a lack of research, funding and information about available treatments can make it harder for women to manage symptoms, remain at work and support their families.
Gillibrand called menopause care a basic health issue and said women should have access to treatment that allows them to continue working and participating fully in daily life. The interview excerpt did not identify specific funding levels or legislation tied to the upcoming hearing.
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