Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-DE)
Expanding AI Voices Act
A Democratic bill with 1 Republican cosponsor · See the cosponsor
Last activity — Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
In committee
Introduced and handed to a committee in the chamber it started in.
The committee holds it, and most bills are never heard from again. A hearing or a committee vote would be news; silence is the usual outcome, and it kills the bill without anyone voting against it.
Its path through Congress
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
The Expanding AI Voices through Capacity Building Act aims to support an interdisciplinary research community for artificial intelligence. It directs the Director of the National Science Foundation to make competitive awards to eligible entities to increase capacity in AI research, education, and workforce development. These funds can be used for research programs, faculty recruitment, bridge programs for students, and access to research resources. The bill emphasizes broadening participation through outreach to various regions and institutions. It specifically targets institutions that may have limited AI research capacity.
Yes· 3 of 11
- Scored +6
Does this put more money into scientific research?
The bill directs the NSF to award funds for the expansion of artificial intelligence research programs and resources.
- Scored +5
Would Black Americans be better off under this?
The bill specifically includes support for Historically Black Colleges and Universities in its capacity-building efforts.
- Scored +5
Would Native Americans be better off under this?
The bill specifically includes support for Tribal Colleges and Universities in its capacity-building efforts.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Increased Research and Educational Opportunities: The bill allows funds to be used for the development of research programs, faculty recruitment, and bridge programs to prepare post-baccalaureate students for graduate studies in artificial intelligence (Section 2, subsection (g)(3)(A-C)).
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Access to Essential Resources: Grant recipients can use funds to provide access to computing resources, networking, data facilities, and software engineering support (Section 2, subsection (g)(3)(D)).
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Support for Diverse Student Populations: The Director may consider how institutions expand opportunities for students, specifically including first-generation undergraduate students (Section 2, subsection (g)(6)(A)).
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Support for Underrepresented Institutions: The bill targets institutions that are not among the top 100 in Federal research and development expenditures, as well as minority-serving institutions, including historically Black colleges and universities and Tribal Colleges or Universities (Section 2, subsection (g)(7)(B)).
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Workforce and Collaboration Development: Funds can support workshops to foster public-private collaboration and host workshops intended to broaden workforce participation in artificial intelligence (Section 2, subsection (g)(3)(E-F)).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- No specific negative impacts or burdens are explicitly mentioned in the provided text.
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Tap or hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Would Black Americans be better off under this? — The bill specifically includes support for Historically Black Colleges and Universities in its capacity-building efforts. Would Native Americans be better off under this? — The bill specifically includes support for Tribal Colleges and Universities in its capacity-building efforts. Would students be better off under this? — The bill funds bridge programs and increased access to research resources for students entering graduate programs. Would people in their twenties and thirties be better off under this? — The bill creates pathways for students through bridge programs and workforce development in artificial intelligence. Would households on low incomes be better off under this? — The bill prioritizes first-generation undergraduate students and institutions that may serve lower-income populations.
- Education And Technology
- Does this put more money into scientific research? — The bill directs the NSF to award funds for the expansion of artificial intelligence research programs and resources. Does this make college cost less? — The bill supports bridge programs and access to research resources for students transitioning to graduate studies. Does this put more money into public schools? — The bill provides competitive awards to institutions of higher education to expand research and educational programs.
- Economy And Finance
- Is this likely to grow the economy? — Investing in AI research capacity and workforce development is intended to drive technological innovation and economic growth. Is this likely to create jobs? — The bill funds workforce development pathways and faculty recruitment in the artificial intelligence sector.
- Social Issues And Justice
- Does this narrow racial gaps in how people are treated? — The bill specifically targets minority-serving institutions, including HBCUs and Tribal Colleges, for research capacity building.
- 7/21/2026
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- Introduced in Senate
Tim SheehyRepublican · Montana