Cory Booker calls on Trump to convene Congress for special session on AI

The New Jersey senator says lawmakers should address both the potential dangers of artificial intelligence and its promise before Congress leaves Washington.

Sen. Cory Booker is calling on President Donald Trump to bring Congress back to Washington for a special session focused on artificial intelligence, arguing that lawmakers need to address the technology’s rapidly evolving risks before they become larger problems.

Booker made the request Sept. 17 in a speech on the Senate floor. In his statement calling for a special session, the New Jersey Democrat cited Article II, Section 3 of the Constitution, which gives the president authority to convene Congress on “extraordinary occasions.”

“We find ourselves in such an extraordinary moment,” Booker said. “The safety of artificial intelligence systems demands urgent attention. The President should convene Congress at once to address it.”

Booker pointed to concerns ranging from AI-powered scams and privacy threats to workplace disruption and surveillance. He also cited warnings about increasingly powerful systems that could potentially create dangerous biological or cyber capabilities.

“This is not a moment for panic or despair,” Booker said. “It is a moment for the government to govern.”

The senator also emphasized that his concerns extend beyond potential catastrophic risks. He said AI could “help scientists discover lifesaving drugs, detect diseases earlier, accelerate scientific breakthroughs, transform education” and increase productivity.

Booker’s call comes as the Trump administration has made artificial intelligence a central part of its technology and economic agenda.

Trump’s 2025 AI Action Plan called for the U.S. to accelerate AI innovation, expand infrastructure and strengthen America’s position in international AI competition. The plan also called for removing what the administration described as “onerous” regulations that could hinder AI development.

In March 2026, the White House unveiled a national AI legislative framework focused on maintaining U.S. leadership while establishing federal policy for the technology.

The administration has also taken steps aimed at promoting AI innovation while addressing national-security concerns. A June executive order directed federal agencies to strengthen cybersecurity and protect advanced AI capabilities from criminal exploitation.

Booker, meanwhile, is asking Congress to take a more active role.

“Congress will soon leave Washington for two months,” he said. “Artificial intelligence will not recess.”

“Mr. President: It’s time for a Special Session.”