Reps. Foushee, Nunn Introduce Bipartisan Legislation to Expand Participation in AI Education, Research, and Workforce

WASHINGTON, DC (January 21, 2026) - Yesterday, Congresswoman Valerie Foushee (NC-04), Co-Chair of the House Democratic Commission on AI, and Congressman Zach Nunn (IA-03) introduced the Expanding AI Voices Act, bipartisan legislation to codify and expand the National Science Foundation (NSF)'s ExpandAI program. This legislation strengthens U.S. leadership in artificial intelligence by supporting education, training, research, and workforce development across a broader range of institutions and communities, including first-generation college students, Minority-Serving Institutions (MSIs) and rural-serving colleges and universities.

"As Artificial Intelligence rapidly transforms our economy and society, Congress must ensure that working Americans and communities across the country can participate in, and benefit from the jobs and opportunity that AI creates," said Congresswoman Valerie Foushee (NC-04). "The Expanding AI Voices Act builds on bipartisan work I was proud to undertake alongside Congressman Nunn on the House AI Task Force by expanding access to AI education, research, and workforce pathways. This legislation will help unlock the tremendous STEM talent found at MSIs, HBCUs, Tribal Colleges and Universities, and rural-serving institutions, including those in my home state of North Carolina-to foster a skilled workforce ready to take on the risks and benefits to society spurred by AI. I thank Congressman Nunn for joining me in introducing this bill, and I look forward to moving it through the House Science Committee and beyond."

"Artificial intelligence is already reshaping how Iowans work, learn, and live," said Congressman Zach Nunn (IA-03). "To make sure this technology strengthens our workforce, AI policy must focus on opening doors-not replacing workers or concentrating opportunities at elite universities. This bipartisan bill expands access to AI training, research, and good-paying jobs so workers, students, and communities in Iowa and across the country can compete and succeed."

Specifically, the Expanding AI Voices Act would:

• Codify and expand the ExpandAI program at the NSF, which supports AI capacity-building projects for eligible institutions;
• Broaden the scope of ExpandAI to strengthen and enhance partnerships between eligible entities and awardees within the National AI Research Institutes ecosystem, advancing AI education, research and development;
• Direct the NSF to engage in outreach to expand the applicant pool and address common barriers that prevent eligible institutions from submitting an application.

The Expanding AI Voices Act is endorsed by Americans for Responsible Innovation, Association of Community College Trustees, Atlanta University Center Consortium, Carnegie Mellon, Computing Alliance of Hispanic Serving Institutions (CAHSI), dreambloc, Duke University, Federation of American Scientists, Global Black Economic Forum, Google, IBM, Information Technology Industry Council (ITI), Morris College, National Hispanic Health Foundation, SeedAI, Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers (SHPE), The American Mathematical Society, The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights, Thurgood Marshall College Fund, and Universities Space Research Association.

"For America to lead on AI, we need to expand the pipeline of talent that's fueling innovation," said ARI President Brad Carson. "By investing in education, research, and workforce development across a broader range of institutions and communities, the Expanding AI Voices Act helps ensure the future of AI is shaped by the full scope of American talent. It's exactly the kind of bipartisan, forward-looking policy the U.S. needs to maintain its edge in AI."

"Carnegie Mellon strongly supports the bipartisan Expanding AI Voices Act. The National Science Foundation plays a critical role in ensuring the US has the broad base of talent needed to adapt to an AI-driven economy through impactful STEM programs like the Expand AI program and others. Carnegie Mellon shares the commitment this measure represents to expand our AI talent pipeline," said Dr. Theresa Mayer, Vice President for Research, Carnegie Mellon University.

"Innovation cannot thrive in a vacuum, and it certainly shouldn't be restricted by zip code or institutional pedigree. At dreambloc, we see firsthand that the next generation of high-growth founders and market-disrupting technologies are emerging from historically under-resourced communities. The Expanding AI Voices Act is a strategic investment in our nation's economic competitiveness. By codifying the ExpandAI program and prioritizing partnerships with Minority-Serving Institutions, Congresswoman Foushee and Congressman Nunn are ensuring that the AI ecosystem is built on a foundation of broad-based talent and diverse perspectives. We are proud to support this bill because it moves us past the rhetoric of inclusion and into the business of building a sustainable, equitable pipeline for American leadership in tech," said Aniesia Williams, Founder of dreambloc.

"U.S. leadership in AI depends on unlocking the full range of talent across this country," said Alphonso David, President and CEO of the Global Black Economic Forum. "The Expanding AI Voices Act recognizes that diverse investment in education, research, and workforce development strengthens outcomes, helps prevent bias in emerging technologies, and delivers stronger returns for businesses and the economy. By expanding the NSF's ExpandAI program and supporting Historically Black Colleges and Universities, Minority-Serving Institutions, Tribal Colleges and Universities, and rural-serving institutions, this bipartisan legislation advances economic opportunity while reinforcing U.S. competitiveness in responsible AI innovation."

"Google is proud to support the Expanding AI Voices Act, because building truly helpful AI and maintaining America's competitive edge will require talent from every corner of the country. This bipartisan bill is a vital step in strengthening the NSF to train the next generation of AI researchers and workers," said Anne Wall, U.S. Federal Government Affairs & Public Policy, Google.

"The pace of AI innovation is transforming industries, making skilled talent more important than ever. Yet today's skills gap presents an obstacle to innovation and economic development. The bipartisan Expanding AI Voices Act takes an important step toward closing this gap by ensuring more students across a wide range of communities and institutions can participate in this transformation. IBM commends Representative Foushee and Representative Nunn for their leadership in helping prepare the next generation of U.S. workers," said Lydia Logan, Vice President, Global Education and Workforce Development, IBM.

"As the United States works to maintain its leadership in AI and compete around the world, an AI-ready workforce is foundational to America's success," said ITI President and CEO Jason Oxman. "Reps. Valerie Foushee and Zach Nunn's bipartisan Expanding AI Voices Act will help support the development of a prepared and resilient AI workforce across the AI stack, bolster research opportunities, and expand access to AI research resources."

"You can't win the global AI race by recruiting from the same fifty universities. If we want American AI to succeed internationally, we must become competitive internally. The Expanding AI Voices Act addresses this by building AI research capacity at institutions all across the country, not just the coasts. SeedAI thanks Representatives Foushee and Nunn for their bipartisan work to strengthen American competitiveness," said Austin Carson, Founder and CEO, SeedAI.

"USRA is proud to endorse the Expanding AI Voices Act and commends Congresswoman Foushee and Congressman Nunn for their bipartisan leadership in strengthening the nation's artificial intelligence research and workforce ecosystem," said Eric Hammond, Director of Government Relations, Universities Space Research Association.

The full bill text of the Expanding AI Voices Act is available here.