TL;DRAI companies and their backers are pouring hundreds of millions into the 2026 US midterms through super PACs, led by Leading the Future (funded by a16z’s Andreessen and Horowitz and OpenAI’s Greg Brockman) and the newer Innovation Council Action. Their consistent goal: a single national AI framework that preempts state-by-state regulation, and defeating lawmakers who push tougher rules. The push follows the Senate stripping a federal preemption provision, and it raises “dark money” concerns from watchdogs, though the industry is not monolithic (Anthropic’s contribution is restricted to policy education).
AI companies and their backers are pouring vast sums into the 2026 US midterms through super PACs. The spending runs into the hundreds of millions across the sector, CNBC reports, and their central demand is remarkably consistent.
They want a single national framework for AI, not a patchwork of state laws. The industry argues that 50 different regimes would slow development and hand an edge to China.
The flagship vehicle is Leading the Future, a super PAC network launched in 2025. Andreessen Horowitz co-founders Marc Andreessen and Ben Horowitz reportedly gave $25m each, alongside OpenAI president Greg Brockman.
