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119-s-5130119th Congress

Human Dignity and Emerging Technologies Act

Sponsored By: Senator Cruz, Ted [R-TX]

Introduced

Summary

Creates an independent advisory commission to advise federal policy on the ethical and geopolitical risks of emerging technologies, notably artificial intelligence. The Commission will study how robotics, AI, biotechnology, neurotechnology, and clinical technologies affect human dignity, hold public hearings, request agency information, and issue annual reports to the President and relevant congressional committees.

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  • Congress and federal policymakers: Receive independent, ongoing ethics guidance and annual reports to inform science and technology policy.
  • Experts and civil society: 17 commissioners drawn from ethics, philosophy, science, medicine, law, religion, and civil rights can be appointed and the public can participate in hearings.
  • Federal agencies: Must furnish information to the Commission on request and could face targeted evaluations if Congress asks.
  • Taxpayers and operations: Funds a temporary, independent advisory body that will organize staff, find federal space, or lease space if needed.

*Authorizes $2.0 million per year for fiscal years 2027–2031 to fund the Commission and sets a termination date of October 1, 2032, increasing federal spending during that period.*

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

4 provisions identified: 3 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.

Commission duties and public reports

If enacted, the commission would study how robotics, artificial intelligence, biotechnologies, neurotechnologies, and clinical technologies affect human dignity. The commission would hold public hearings, monitor Federal programs and proposals for dignity risks, and create or update guiding statements and principles. It would send an annual report to the President and appropriate congressional committees and could produce targeted reports or advisory opinions when needed. The commission would also evaluate Federal science and technology programs and request agency information when asked by the chairman or a majority vote.

Commission membership, staff, and ethics

If enacted, the commission would have 17 members chosen by the President, House and Senate leaders, and specified congressional committees. Members would serve five-year terms, may continue until successors are named, and may be removed only for cause. The commission would select a chairman and vice chairman, and the chairman would appoint an executive director and professional staff with congressional committee approval. The commission must adopt and post a conflicts-of-interest policy consistent with Federal and congressional ethics rules.

New federal human dignity commission

If enacted, the bill would create an independent United States Commission on Human Dignity inside the legislative branch. The commission would advise the Federal Government and Congress about the ethics and policy of emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence. It would explicitly consider geopolitical issues and documented threats from foreign state actors. Key terms would be defined, including which congressional committees the commission would work with and the meaning of “artificial intelligence.”

Commission funding and sunset date

If enacted, the bill would authorize $2,000,000 for the commission for each fiscal year 2027 through 2031 to carry out its duties. The commission would terminate on October 1, 2032, unless Congress extends it. These provisions fund the commission for a limited period and also set a fixed end date for its authority.

Sponsors & CoSponsors

Sponsor

Cruz, Ted [R-TX]

TX • R

Cosponsors

  • Sen. Warnock, Raphael G. [D-GA]

    GA • D

    Sponsored 7/23/2026

Roll Call Votes

No roll call votes available for this bill.

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