FIRST ON FOX: A top Republican congressman introduced a resolution Tuesday to require Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm to disclose her meetings with a wide variety of non-governmental organizations.

The bill, introduced by Rep. Bill Huizenga, R-Mich., who chairs the House Financial Services Committee’s oversight subcommittee, would force the Department of Energy to make public Granholm’s meetings with groups tied to the Chinese Communist Party that have argued for bans on any energy type or have applied for federal funding. Huizenga introduced the resolution as an amendment to the Save Our Gas Stoves Act.

‘The American People deserve to know if the Biden administration’s energy policy decisions are being influenced by entities with ties to the CCP,’ Huizenga told Fox News Digital in a statement.

‘My transparency amendment shines a light on the elevated access given by this White House to any groups pushing China-backed, anti-energy, America-last policies,’ he added. 

The Michigan lawmaker’s bill comes in response to a Fox News Digital report in February that Granholm met in June 2021 with Jules Kortenhorst, the CEO at the time of the Rocky Mountain Institute (RMI), a lead group pushing gas stove bans. Granholm’s calendar listed Kortenhorst as the only participant and didn’t include the agenda for the meeting, which lasted for approximately an hour.

Over the past two years, the federal government has awarded RMI millions of dollars in federal funding for various green energy projects.

RMI has also collaborated with the Chinese government to study transitioning away from traditional fossil fuels, and the group’s only office outside the U.S. is located in Beijing, China’s capital city. RMI is a member of the China Clean Transportation Partnership, a green group with significant ties to the Chinese government. 

The group worked with the National Development and Reform Commission, a Chinese government entity, to create a roadmap for ‘China’s revolution in energy consumption and production to 2050.’

‘From the start, the Biden administration has not been honest with the American people about its desire to ban gas stoves,’ Huizenga told Fox News Digital in February.

‘Now, as we learn more, I remain deeply concerned that the Biden administration has granted elevated access to an entity with Chinese ties in pursuit of a radical energy agenda that will raise costs on American families and small businesses,’ he added. ‘These actions cannot go unchecked, and the American people deserve honest answers.’

Huizenga’s latest resolution is part of a broader effort by Republicans to push back against the Biden administration’s attempts to regulate gas stoves. In January, a member of the Consumer Product Safety Commission floated a gas stove ban and, a month later, the Department of Energy proposed standards that would prohibit 50% of current gas stove models.

The Save Our Gas Stoves Act introduced by Rep. Debbie Lesko, R-Ariz., would block the Department of Energy from enacting tougher conservation standards on stoves. 

That legislation and the Gas Stove Protection and Freedom Act, which would bar federal dollars from going toward regulatory efforts to ban gas stoves, are expected to soon receive floor votes.

Separately, in January, Huizenga and Rep. Alex Mooney, R-W.Va., introduced the Stop Trying to Obsessively Vilify Energy Act, which would prohibit federal agencies from banning gas stoves or other gas-powered appliances.

GOP Congressman Jim Banks mixed it up with HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra over transgender ideology in a hearing Tuesday and told Fox News Digital that the interaction was an attempt by the Biden administration to ‘wiggle out’ of defending ‘evil’ policies it’s pushing. 

‘The Biden administration wants to force states like Indiana to greenlight harmful and irreversible transition procedures on minors, and if you resist by protecting your family from their radical gender ideology, they want to kidnap your child,’ Rep. Banks told Fox News Digital in a statement Tuesday following an exchange with Becerra during a House Committee on Education & the Workforce hearing. 

‘It’s indefensible, which is why Secretary Becerra tried so hard to wriggle out of answering for his evil policies.’

Banks was referring to an exchange where he questioned why Becerra would support a law in his state that prevents 18-20 year olds from having a hunting rifle but at the same time supports children much younger being allowed to undergo gender reassignments.

‘I’m just curious, why do you think that 18-20 year olds can’t be trusted with a firearm,’ Banks asked Becerra about the move in California while he was attorney general to ban 18-20 year olds from owning handguns, rifles, and shotguns. 

‘For us here at HHS, gun violence is a healthcare crisis in this country and we have to do everything we can,’ Becerra responded. ‘I’m proud that my state has tried to take measures that would try to keep individuals,  especially assault weapons, for purposes that never should have been deployed in a civilian society.’

Banks pressed Becerra again asking ‘what was it about that age’ of 18-20 that worried California enough to limit gun rights and tried to push Becerra to answer whether he believed an 18-year-old should be allowed to own a hunting rifle.

After not providing a direct answer with a response that Banks described as an ‘interesting way to dodge the question’, he compared Becerra’s support of children being allowed to undergo gender transition procedures to his perceived opposition to 18-20 year olds owning guns.

‘I just want to ask this question, why do you think that children much much younger than 18 years old, 9, 10, 11 year-olds, are mature enough to make a decision to have a sex reassignment surgery,’ Banks asked. 

‘Then you believed that an 18-year-old shouldn’t be allowed to own a hunting rifle, today you believe a 9, 10, 11-year-old should be able to change their sex and have an irreversible surgery to do that, help us explain the logic.’

Becerra responded to the Indiana Republican and said, ‘Congressman I would appreciate it if you let me characterize what I believe and we could have a good conversation rather than you characterize what I believe. What I would say to you is with regard to gun violence I do believe it is important we take action to protect our communities and our neighborhoods.’

Banks then jumped in and said, ‘I don’t think you want to explain it because you realize how crazy it is and that’s why you’re dodging the question.’

‘That’s not the case,’ Becerra said back to Banks before the congressman moved on to a question about a report from HHS earlier this spring ‘claiming that gender affirmation including social transition, including changing one’s gender pronoun name or appearance, is appropriate and beneficial for gender minority children and adolescents.’

Banks said that the report recommends ‘cutting off’ funds from states that ‘stigmatize transgender children.’

‘Mr. Secretary, does this mean that HHS is seriously threatening to withhold hospital grants from states like my own if they refuse to go along with surgeries or puberty blockers for kids?’ Banks asked.

‘We’re going to protect the rights of any American to get the healthcare they’re entitled to and if someone tries to stop them from that that’s a violation of the law,’ Becerra responded at which point Banks pressed him again and Becerra responded with a similar statement.

‘So that’s a yes,’ Banks said, before asking Becerra whether he supports school lunch funding being pulled from a state like Arizona that ‘refuse to comply with your definition of gender identity?’

Becerra declined to answer directly saying that his personal definition is not the one being implemented but rather the rights of Americans in the law. 

‘It’s pretty clear what you believe the report says so and Madam Chair I hope today that the history books look back and realize just how crazy the politics of this administration are,’ Banks said. ‘Mr. Secretary your photo with the president is going to be in those history books as history will not look back fondly on those policies.’

The Biden administration’s HHS did not immediately respond to a request for comment from Fox News Digital.

Former President Donald Trump on Tuesday pleaded not guilty to federal charges related to his handling of classified documents at his Mar-a-Lago estate – with his appearance at a federal courthouse in downtown Miami bringing out supporters and opponents in their droves.

The 2024 frontrunner turned himself into the federal court on Tuesday, where he was booked on the charges and pleaded not guilty.

The indictment, unsealed last week, accused Trump of failing to comply with demands to return classified documents, including plans for a retaliatory attack on an unnamed foreign power. Other documents include defense and weapon capabilities of the U.S. and details of the U.S. nuclear program.

‘The unauthorized disclosure of these classified documents could put at risk the national security of the United States, foreign relations, the safety of the United States military, and human sources and the continued viability of sensitive intelligence collection methods,’ the indictment said.

It also accused him of storing the documents in a bathroom and other places at the residence, and of showing off the documents to visitors. In one instance, he is said to have told individuals of a document, ‘as president, I could have declassified it,’ and, ‘Now I can’t, you know, but this is still a secret.’

Trump has dismissed the charges as a ‘political hit job’ against him by the Biden Department of Justice, and on Tuesday pleaded not guilty to the charges. This is the first time in United States history that a former president has faced federal criminal charges.

While he did not speak in court, he did commentate on his social media platform Truth Social.

‘Thank you Miami. Such a warm welcome on such a SAD DAY for our Country!’ he said after the appearance.

‘The targeting prosecution of a leading political opponent is the type of thing you see in dictatorships like Cuba and Venezuela,’ Trump lawyer Alina Habba said earlier in the day. ‘It is commonplace there for rival candidates to be prosecuted, persecuted and put into jail.’

Trump’s motorcade made its way to the courthouse on Tuesday afternoon from the Doral golf club, where supporters and opponents wielding signs and dressed in costumes had already gathered.

On his departure, one protester was dragged away after he ran in front of the motorcade.

Trump briefly stopped off at Café Versailles, where he bought food and where supporters prayed over him and sang ‘Happy Birthday’ ahead of his birthday on Wednesday. 

The former president was released under several conditions – including that he appear in court for future hearings. Trump did not have to surrender his passport and does not have any restrictions on his travel. The former president could face decades in federal prison if convicted on all 37 federal counts stemming from Smith’s probe.

Fox News’ Brooke Singman and Jake Gibson contributed to this report.

Republican lawmakers hammered President Biden after transgender activists went topless at the White House’s Pride Month event on Saturday.

Several GOP lawmakers blasted the president after transgender activist Rose Montoya and other attendees partially disrobed on the White House lawn.

Montoya, a transgender woman, was then banned from the White House after the incident, with the Biden administration condemning the lewd incident as ‘inappropriate and disrespectful.’

Colorado Republican Rep. Lauren Boebert called the act ‘disgraceful’ in a Tuesday phone call with Fox News Digital.

‘Unfortunately, my news feeds have been filled with images of the man’s silicones on the White House lawn, which is very disgraceful,’ Boebert said.

Boebert torched Biden, saying he ‘has sold out our country for far less in the past’ and that she does not believe that the incident ‘surprises many people.’

‘He would much rather be eating cookie dough ice cream somewhere in the basement of the White House than actually securing our southern border or focusing on the needs of everyday Americans to just be able to afford their groceries and not pay $10 for a pound of grapes,’ Boebert said.

‘So I don’t think it’s surprising that he’s continuing on this social justice, virtue signaling path that he has been on, but it is disgraceful when the sitting president of the United States fails to do his job to ensure that the laws are faithfully executed and upheld in our from our Constitution,’ the lawmaker continued.

‘So, this is where we’re at with Joe,’ Boebert added.

Texas Republican Senator Ted Cruz told Fox News Digital, ‘Joe Biden claimed he would ‘restore honor and decency to the White House.’’

‘He’s failing miserably,’ Cruz said. ‘It used to be appropriate to wear a suit and tie to the White House, but now apparently you don’t even have to wear a shirt.’

‘Add this to the list of ways Biden has degraded the prestige and decorum of the office of the President of the United States,’ Cruz added.

Texas GOP Rep. Pete Sessions told Fox News Digital, ‘President Biden claimed that he wanted to restore ‘honor and decency to the White House” when he became president.

‘Instead, his Administration has encouraged the erosion of common decency from day one — this individual’s behavior at the White House is a direct result of failed leadership and the persistent promotion of deviancy,’ Sessions said.

‘While a statement of condemnation is an appropriate first step, this President must demonstrate a course correction to the American people by ending his attack on biology and common sense,’ he continued.

Montoya, a TikTok influencer, originally posted the video from Saturday’s event. It shows Montoya and another unnamed transgender activist, a biological female, baring their breasts on the South Lawn with the White House in view behind them.

Montoya also captured an interaction with Biden himself in the video. The influencer can be seen smiling next to the president and saying, ‘It’s an honor, Mr. President. Trans rights are human rights.’

A White House spokesperson condemned Montoya and other transgender activists’ behavior on Tuesday, saying that they have been banned from future White House events.

‘This behavior is inappropriate and disrespectful for any event at the White House. It is not reflective of the event we hosted to celebrate LGBTQI+ families or the other hundreds of guests who were in attendance. Individuals in the video will not be invited to future events,’ the statement read.

Biden is then seen holding the camera in an attempt to take a selfie with Montoya and other attendees, but the camera was set to video mode.

The video caused widespread outcry on social media, with many users saying Montoya and the group had disgraced the White House.

Fox News Digital’s Anders Hagstrom contributed reporting.

Wisconsin Republicans appear poised to cut funding for the University of Wisconsin system.The vote follows intense debate over the school system’s spending on diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives.‘I hope we have the ability to eliminate that spending. The university should have already chosen to redirect it to something that is more productive and more broadly supported,’ Republican Assembly Speaker Robin Vos said.

Republican state lawmakers were poised Tuesday to cut funding for University of Wisconsin campuses as the GOP-controlled Legislature and school officials continue to clash over efforts to promote diversity and inclusion.

The vote comes just days after Republicans refused to fund the university’s top building project priority — a new engineering facility on the flagship Madison campus.

Tensions between Republicans who control the Legislature and the state’s university system are nothing new. But the fight this year centers on issues of free speech and UW’s work to advance diversity and racial equity.

Assembly Speaker Robin Vos, the state’s top Republican, said ahead of a meeting of the budget-writing committee on Tuesday that he wants it to cut all funding the university system would use for diversity initiatives. He estimated the cuts would total $32 million.

‘I hope we have the ability to eliminate that spending. The university should have already chosen to redirect it to something that is more productive and more broadly supported,’ Vos told The Associated Press.

UW spokesperson Mark Pitsch said salaries for current system employees specifically tasked with working on diversity, equity and inclusion amount to roughly $15.6 million annually. That number does not include funding for diversity events or other initiatives.

Vos has previously called campus diversity offices a waste of taxpayer money and said they further racial divides. Meanwhile, UW System President Jay Rothman hired a new chief diversity officer with an annual salary of $225,000 who began work on Monday. He did not publicize the hiring at a UW Board of Regents meeting earlier this month.

‘I want the university to grow and succeed, but if they are obsessed with spending all the scarce dollars that they have on programs that are clearly divisive and offer little public good, I don’t know why we’d want to support that,’ Vos said.

The fight reflects a broader cultural battle playing out across the nation over college diversity initiatives. Republican lawmakers this year have proposed more than 30 bills in 12 states to limit diversity, equity and inclusion efforts in higher education, an Associated Press analysis found in April.

Democratic Sen. Kelda Roys, whose district includes the UW-Madison campus, called Vos petty and criticized the push to eliminate diversity initiatives.

‘You’d be hard pressed to find a major organization in this country that isn’t doing something to help them achieve equity and inclusion,’ Roys said. ‘The UW is the economic engine of the state. Making any cuts to the UW, especially politically motivated ones, is just going to harm every person in this state.’

UW regents asked the Legislature in September for a total spending increase of nearly $436 million in state money over the next two years, citing low revenue from a decadelong tuition freeze and rising costs due to inflation. Vos said the budget committee plans to reject that request, which was about $130 million higher than even Democratic Gov. Tony Evers wanted for UW.

Factoring in the expected budget cuts, Tuesday’s vote could leave the UW System nearly half a billion dollars short of what school officials say they need.

The fallout could land on the backs of students as UW leaders look to fill gaps in funding.

Rothman proposed tuition and fees hikes ranging from 3% to 5.4% for undergraduates across the 13 colleges in the UW System after Evers proposed giving UW $130 million less than it wanted.

Republicans have largely ignored Evers’ proposals, scrapping more than 500 of the governor’s budget items last month including proposals for a cabinet-level chief equity officer, 18 equity officers in state agencies and a state-funded diversity, equity and inclusion conference.

The Legislature is expected to complete its budget plan by the end of June, at which point Evers can make adjustments using partial vetoes or send it back to lawmakers for revisions.

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U.S. District Judge Laura Taylor Swain has ordered attorneys to examine a potential receivership structure in a move that would seize control of Rikers Island from New York City.The city has also been ordered to monitor and report deaths and serious injuries in custody — both of which lend the facility some of its notoriety.Swain claims to have been pushed to reevaluate a potential takeover after being ‘shaken by the incidents of the past few weeks.’

A federal judge is once again weighing a takeover of New York City’s troubled Rikers Island jail complex, describing her faith in its leadership as ‘shaken’ following recent reports of violence, gruesome injuries and a lack of cooperation that has thwarted court oversight.

The emergency court hearing on Tuesday came after a federal monitor overseeing the jails system outlined a pattern of disturbing incidents — including detainee deaths and grave injuries — that jail officials failed to report as required last month.

The monitor, Steve Martin, said the city’s jails commissioner also personally lobbied him not to publicly release a report on those findings, claiming it would ‘fuel the flames of those who believe we cannot govern ourselves.’

In response, U.S. District Judge Laura Taylor Swain ordered attorneys for both detainees and the city to formally discuss a potential receivership structure, an extraordinary intervention that would end New York City’s control over one of the nation’s largest and most famous jails. Swain said she would consider the proposal in August.

She also ordered the city to notify the monitor immediately anytime someone dies or suffers a serious injury in custody, rebuking jail officials for flouting reporting requirements put in place following a 2015 federal consent decree.

‘I find that it is unfortunately necessary to clarify and underscore the responsibilities that have been imposed by orders that have been in place for years,’ she said during the three-hour video hearing.

Advocates for detainees say a federal receivership is necessary to stem the violence on Rikers Island, where 19 people died last year, the highest number in a quarter of a century. In November, the judge rejected calls for a receiver, allowing the city more time to undertake promised reforms.

Mayor Eric Adams has repeatedly touted the success of those efforts, pointing to a reduction in slashings and staff absenteeism since he took office and appointed Department of Correction Louis Molina in January 2022.

But on Wednesday, Judge Swain indicated her position on a federal takeover may be shifting, saying the court’s confidence in the city had been ‘shaken by the incidents of the past few weeks.’

She pointed to a report issued by the federal monitor detailing violent incidents that jail officials allegedly neglected to report to the monitor, including the death of a detainee who was originally said to have suffered a heart attack, but was later discovered to have died from a skull fracture.

Another man who attempted to flee from correction officers was tackled and paralyzed from the neck down, an injury the monitor said also wasn’t properly reported.

‘The Department’s approach to reform has recently become characterized by inaccuracies and a lack of transparency,’ the monitor wrote.

In addition to her concerns about reporting, the judge also called out efforts by city leaders ‘to shape public opinion and public perception on these very serious issues.’

In recent weeks, Adams and Molina have allowed select reporters to view footage of Rikers Island that they claim would undermine the monitor’s narrative. The Department of Correction has also said it will cease alerting the public about detainee deaths.

Asked about his agency’s media strategy on Wednesday, Molina said he was trying to protect against bad-faith criticism, arguing the monitor’s findings of chronic violence could undercut efforts to stabilize the jail system.

‘What I was trying to get the monitor to appreciate is that we have a number of groups that just want to see the department fail because it advances their position that Rikers Island or the city’s jail system should not exist,’ Molina said.

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The legislative affairs director for the Arkansas Department of Parks, Heritage and Tourism is taking over as director of its Heritage Division.

Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders on Monday announced she was naming Marty Ryall to replace outgoing Arkansas Division of Heritage Director Jimmy Bryant. Bryant is retiring at the end of June.

‘I have a deep love and respect for our state, its unique history, her natural beauty, and our rich heritage,’ Ryall said in a statement. ‘It is a great responsibility and challenge that I am humbly honored to accept.’

Ryall has served as the department’s legislative affairs director since January and before that he was director of governmental affairs for Arkansas PBS. He’s also a former executive director of the Republican Party of Arkansas.

‘I appreciate Jimmy Bryant’s service to our state and know that Marty is the perfect candidate to take up Jimmy’s role,’ Sanders said in a statement. ‘Together, we will take Arkansas Heritage to the top.’

Ryall’s annual salary as Division of Heritage director will be $120,000, effective July 1 after Bryant retires, Sanders’ office said.

Arkansas Heritage oversees several facilities and offices, including the state archives, the Arkansas Arts Council and the Historic Arkansas Museum.

Ryall’s appointment follows the departure of three of the department’s top three officials. Secretary Mike Mills resigned his position earlier this month after less than six months. State Parks Director Shea Lewis is serving as interim secretary.

Travis Napper, the director of Arkansas Tourism, also recently announced he will step away from his position later this month to take a job in tourism consulting.

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Republican politicians across the country reacted with outrage Tuesday as former President Donald Trump was arraigned and pleaded not guilty to 37 federal felony charges in a classified records case.

GOP Rep. Elise Stefanik, called the arraignment a ‘dark day for our country’ as ‘Joe Biden continues to fully weaponize the federal government against President Trump, his leading opponent for the White House in 2024.

‘America was founded on the principle of equal justice under law,’ the New York Republican continued. ‘The American people see the glaring double standard: one set of rules if your last name is Biden or Clinton and another set of rules for everyone else. It’s never been more important that we unite behind President Trump’s historic campaign to win the White House, to restore the rule of law, and save our Republic. God bless America, President Trump, and all those targeted by Biden’s regime as we continue our efforts to end this corrupt political weaponization and stop the deep state.’

‘Make no mistake: at today’s arraignment you are watching a sitting President use his DOJ to put his top political rival in jail,’ Stefanik’s Republican colleague from South Carolina, Rep. Nancy Mace, said in a statement. ‘Both sides of the aisle should be able to set aside their emotions and see how dangerous of a precedent this sets.’

Mace’s fellow South Carolina Republican, Gov. Harry McMaster, also posted a statement calling Tuesday a ‘troubling day’ and said Trump opposition has gone ‘too far.’

‘I STAND WITH PRESIDENT TRUMP!’ Florida GOP Congressman Matt Gaetz tweeted. 

‘The Swamp fears President Trump, and that’s exactly why they’re doing everything possible to stop him,’ Ohio Republican Rep. Jim Jordan tweeted.

Trump pleaded not guilty to 37 federal charges stemming from Special Counsel Jack Smith’s investigation into his alleged improper retention of classified records at Mar-a-Lago in federal court in Miami, Florida on Tuesday.

The charges include willful retention of national defense information, conspiracy to obstruct justice and false statements.

This is the first time in United States history that a former president has faced federal criminal charges.

Fox News Digital’s Brooke Singman contributed to this report. 
 

A protester wearing a prison costume tried blocking former President Donald Trump’s motorcade following his arraignment in a Miami federal court where he pleaded not guilty Tuesday in connection with the alleged mishandling of classified documents at Mar-a-Lago.

Video of the incident shows the man holding a sign jumping in front of an SUV before being grabbed by what appeared to be Secret Service agents running alongside the vehicle. 

Video captured by Fox News’ Griff Jenkins from earlier in the day shows the same anti-Trump protester holding up a bright orange sign that read ‘Lock Him Up.’ 

It’s unclear if the man will face any charges for rushing Trump’s motorcade. 

Trump appeared in court with his arms folded most of the time and occasionally spoke with his lawyers. 

He was indicted Friday on 37 federal counts, including willful retention of national defense information, conspiracy to obstruct justice and false statements. 

The indictment accuses Trump of failing to comply with demands to return classified documents — including plans for a retaliatory attack on an unnamed foreign power — he had gathered in Mar-a-Lago.

Other documents include defense and weapon capabilities of the U.S. and details of the U.S. nuclear program.

‘The unauthorized disclosure of these classified documents could put at risk the national security of the United States, foreign relations, the safety of the United States military, and human sources and the continued viability of sensitive intelligence collection methods,’ the indictment says. 

It also accuses him of storing the documents in a bathroom and other places at the residence, and of even bragging and showing off the documents to visitors. In one instance, he is said to have told individuals of a document, ‘as president, I could have declassified it,’ and, ‘Now I can’t, you know, but this is still a secret.’

He is also said to have directed an aide to move boxes of documents demanded by a grand jury subpoena while claiming to have fully cooperated. The FBI opened a criminal investigation into the matter in March 2022.

After appearing in court, Trump stopped at a Miami cafe where he was greeted by religious leaders and supporters.

‘Food for everyone,’ he said. 

The crowd then sang ‘Happy Birthday’ to him. The former president’s birthday is June 14.

Fox News’ Adam Shaw and Jake Gibson contributed to this report. 

Members of the House Armed Services Committee are demanding several updates from the Pentagon on whether it is effectively using artificial intelligence to defend against growing threats from China and other adversaries.

The committee on Monday released its annual proposal for the defense policy bill known as the National Defense Authorization Act, which will be considered by various subcommittees starting Tuesday. The section of the bill that deals with cyber and information technology was accompanied by several demands for updates on the Defense Department’s efforts to incorporate AI into its national security posture.

One of these demands relates directly to China, which the committee said has an increasing presence in disputed waters around the world that threatens U.S. national security.

‘The committee is increasingly concerned about the ability of the United States to counter this threat due to the vastness of the maritime environment,’ the text said. ‘Maritime Domain Awareness (MDA), driven by artificial intelligence (AI), would enhance the Navy’s ability to monitor the maritime environment, increase strategic planning activities, and expose emerging threats through lead generation.’

The committee asked the Defense Department to brief its members on this issue by next February on its current use of ‘AI-driven MDA systems’ and how else AI might help the Navy quickly assess maritime traffic and determine possible threats.

Lawmakers on the committee said the Pentagon should also be using AI to help warfighters detect and analyze signals in the electromagnetic spectrum (EMS) that can indicate cyber and electronic warfare tactics.

‘The ongoing conflict in Ukraine has exposed the threat that adversarial electronic warfare systems pose,’ the committee said. ‘Accordingly, the committee believes that the Department of Defense should pursue capabilities that give the warfighter the ability to maintain awareness of the EMS environment and rapidly develop insights at the tactical edge.’

The committee said special operations forces have already used AI-driven systems to detect EMS signals and that the Pentagon should ‘increase the adoption of such technologies.’ It asked the Defense Department to brief members of the committee on this issue by Dec. 1.

Lawmakers noted a broad plan by DOD to create a Joint All-Domain Command and Control system that uses AI to assess data from a broad range of military sensors and make it easier for military commanders to make real-time decisions. They also said the Air Force could benefit from a similar system and asked the secretary of the Air Force to report to the committee by next January.

The committee pushed the Pentagon to report back on several other AI initiatives, including the creation of an ‘AI education strategy’ aimed at educating service members on how to use AI. Members want DOD to brief them on that subject by next March.

By December, the committee wants DOD to brief lawmakers on the infrastructure needed to build up AI capacity and what the Pentagon is doing to create more ‘red teams’ that road-test AI systems before they are deployed.

Committee members also want officials to study how to develop autonomy software and to ensure the Army uses AI to support the next generation of military helicopters developed under the Future Vertical Lift program.

In April, U.S. Central Command’s top AI adviser told Fox News Digital that the military is hoping it can use AI to quickly absorb data and help military leaders make faster decisions, but the adviser, Dr. Andrew Moore, said the goal is to keep people in charge of these decisions, not AI systems.