Lawmakers urge Congress to pass AI Civil Rights Act to eliminate AI discrimination
washington – At a House Financial Services Committee hearing yesterday, Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley (MA-07) We discussed the need for new civil rights protections in the era of artificial intelligence (AI). Pressley emphasized how AI innovation without proper regulation can exacerbate discrimination and called for passage of the AI Civil Rights Act, a bill he co-sponsored with Sen. Ed Markey and Rep. Yvette Clark to support AI desegregation.
The AI Civil Rights Act would prevent companies from using biased and discriminatory AI-based algorithms to help Americans make important decisions in their lives, ensure that algorithms are tested before and after deployment, and increase transparency into the complex algorithms used to make important decisions.
A transcript of the lawmakers' questions and interactions with witnesses can be found below, and the video can be viewed here.
Transcript: Pressley calls for new civil rights protections in the age of AI
December 10, 2025
House Financial Services Committee
congressman pressley: AI is in every aspect of our lives, including our phones, classrooms, hospitals, bank loans and job applications.
That's why we must ensure that AI works for everyone, rather than deploying biased AI that can create harm or exacerbate existing harm.
It must benefit everyone, regardless of race, gender, income level, medical condition, or other parts of their identity.
Mr. Stevens, should we ban the use of AI to discriminate on the basis of race, gender, or other factors? Just yes or no.
Mr. nicholas stevens:I think this is especially true when it comes to housing. Fair housing, making sure we eliminate all forms of racism, disparate, disparate impacts, things like that.
congressman pressley: Now, for the record, I have a question for you guys. So, yes or no, should we ban the use of AI to discriminate based on race, gender, or other factors? yes or no?
M.S. Janet Manfra: yes.
Mr. Tal Cohen: Again, apply the three principles. We strive to promote transparency and liquidity.
congressman pressley: yes or no?
Mr. cohen: ..In integrity in our market, and as a highly regulated institution, we strive to ensure that our algorithms prevent that.
congressman pressley: Mr. Stevens, yes and no. Also.
Mr. stevens: yes.
congressman pressley: Mr. Whitmore?
M.S. wendy whitemore: yes.
congressman pressley:And what about Mr. Blanche?
Mr. joshua branch: yes.
congressman pressley: Understood. thank you. We urgently need civil rights legislation for the 21st century and the age of AI. That's why I worked with Senator Markey and Representative Yvette Clark to introduce the AI Civil Rights Act.
It is urgent because the reality is that it is already late. People are already being exploited and discriminated against through the use of algorithms.
For example, consider a problem like housing. This, in my opinion, is a human right. Everyone deserves more than just shelter. They have the right to own a home. They are safety, dignity, health and mobility.
In 2025, the Trump administration dismantled the CFPB and HUD's Office of Fair Housing Enforcement, the main agencies protecting against housing discrimination. In some cases, they even seek to revoke consent orders that are already in place, as in the Townstone discrimination case in Chicago.
This gap in civil rights protections provides a gateway for continued discrimination. One study found that mortgage lenders are 80% more likely to reject black applicants compared to equally qualified white applicants.
Mr. Branch, before companies can use AI for public use, should they have additional monitoring tools, such as evaluations to test the algorithms? Yes or no?
Mr. branch: yes.
congressman pressley: Did any of the witnesses other than Mr. Branch object to that? Now, let's go on record that no one objected.
We know that prejudice exists in this country. Inequalities exist all around us.
I represent Massachusetts 7.thThe district is vibrant, diverse, dynamic and one of the most unequal in the country. In a three-mile radius from Cambridge, home of MIT, Harvard University, and advances in AI, to Roxbury, the blackest part of my district, life expectancy has declined by 30 years and median household income has declined by $50,000.
This is the result of intentional legislation, which is why we believe we need to be just as intentional in undoing harm and creating a fair path forward. Because AI is trained on already biased data and by biased humans, it has the potential to reproduce and exacerbate these harms unless we monitor and prevent them.
Do not allow AI innovation without AI protection.
In the world of artificial intelligence, we cannot lose sight of what is real: people, their lives, and their lives.
If Republicans are serious about protecting seniors from fraud and consumers from discrimination, Congress needs to pass the AI Civil Rights Act.
Thank you and I will reciprocate.
