Bipartisan concerns over government AI use
The House Oversight Committee announced a formal investigation into federal AI procurement practices on Tuesday. Chairman James Comer (R-KY) and Ranking Member Jamie Raskin (D-MD) jointly sent letters to 12 federal agencies requesting records of AI contracts signed since 2023.
The probe covers agencies including the Department of Defense, Homeland Security, Health and Human Services, and the Veterans Administration. Lawmakers want to know which systems are in use, how vendors were selected, and whether bias testing was conducted before deployment.
$4 billion in contracts under scrutiny
A committee memo estimates federal AI-related spending has topped $4 billion over the past three years. Systems range from predictive policing tools used by federal law enforcement to automated benefits processing at the VA.
Witnesses from the Government Accountability Office testified last month that fewer than 30% of AI deployments had undergone independent auditing. The committee says it will subpoena vendors if cooperation is insufficient.
Industry groups push back
Tech industry lobbyists argue the probe could slow down modernization efforts. The Information Technology Industry Council warned that excessive oversight might push agencies toward outdated legacy systems.
Hearings are expected in July. The committee aims to release a public report by September.