New Survey Reveals Majority of Congressional Aides Favor Federal-State Hybrid for AI Regulation
February 3, 2026
A new survey of congressional aides by CNCT Capitol Pulse and reported by HillFaith indicates that a strong majority of those who draft America's laws favor a decentralized approach to artificial intelligence (AI) oversight. According to the findings, 57 percent of House and Senate staffers support a "reasonable combination" of federal and state regulations for AI, rather than a single federal mandate.
The results provide a rare glimpse into the preferences of the 12,000 aides working behind the scenes on Capitol Hill. With an average age of 27, these savvy staffers represent a demographic whose views often signal the future direction of legislative debates. The preference for a regulatory mix comes at a critical juncture as the White House and certain congressional leaders have signaled support for federal preemption in a move that would block individual states from enacting unique AI safeguards.
