US Federal 2025-2026 Regular Session

US Federal Senate Bill SB3454

Introduced
 
Introduced
12/11/25  

Caption

GUARD Act of 2025

Impact

This legislation has the potential to significantly influence state laws related to research funding and technological development, particularly in the artificial intelligence sector. By establishing designated institutes, the bill aims to create an ecosystem that facilitates interdisciplinary collaboration and supports the growth of a skilled workforce in AI. Institutions receiving financial assistance would focus on creating practical applications that enhance national security capabilities, which may lead to state-level policy adjustments regarding higher education funding and defense-related research initiatives.

Summary

SB3454, also known as the 'GUARD Act of 2025,' seeks to authorize the Secretary of Defense to establish one or more National Security and Defense Artificial Intelligence Institutes. It is designed to bolster research in areas of artificial intelligence that are crucial to national security and defense. The bill allows for collaboration between public and private entities, including federal agencies and institutions of higher education, in order to foster innovation and development in AI technologies that can be leveraged for defense purposes.

Contention

Notable points of contention surrounding SB3454 include concerns regarding the allocation of funds and the focus on defense-oriented projects. Critics may argue that resources devoted to defense-related AI research could detract from other important social and scientific research areas. Additionally, there may be debate over the extent to which federal entities should control research agendas in academic settings, especially in relation to private sector involvement and the impact on innovation for public benefit.

Companion Bills

US HB5466

Related GUARD Act

US SB1071

Related National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2026

US HB3838

Related Streamlining Procurement for Effective Execution and Delivery and National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2026

Previously Filed As

US SB4113

AI Guardrails Act of 2026

US SB1053

FIGHT China Act of 2025 Foreign Investment Guardrails to Help Thwart China Act of 2025

US HB5466

GUARD Act Growing University AI Research for Defense Act

US SB2296

National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2026 COUNTER Act of 2025 Combating PRC Overseas and Unlawful Networked Threats through Enhanced Resilience Act of 2025 Holding Foreign Insiders Accountable Act PAID OFF Act of 2025 Preventing Adversary Influence, Disinformation, and Obscured Foreign Financing Act of 2025 International Nuclear Energy Act of 2025 Atomic Energy Testing Liability Act Abducted Ukrainian Children Recovery and Accountability Act Retired Law Enforcement Officers Continuing Service Act MAPS Act Mapping America's Pharmaceutical Supply Act Preventing Child Trafficking Act of 2025 Taiwan Non-Discrimination Act of 2025 AUKUS Improvement Act of 2025 GAIN AI Act of 2025 Guaranteeing Access and Innovation for National Artificial Intelligence Act of 2025 DISRUPT Act Defending International Security by Restricting Unacceptable Partnerships and Tactics Act DFC Modernization and Reauthorization Act of 2025 Western Balkans Democracy and Prosperity Act Fighting Foreign Illegal Seafood Harvests Act of 2025 CDFI Bond Guarantee Program Improvement Act of 2025 FIGHT China Act of 2025 Foreign Investment Guardrails to Help Thwart China Act of 2025 Department of State Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2026 ROAD to Housing Act of 2025 Renewing Opportunity in the American Dream to Housing Act of 2025 Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2025 Intelligence Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2026 Military Construction Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2026 DETERRENCE Act

US HB3838

Securing American Funding and Expertise from Adversarial Research Exploitation Act of 2025 Anti-CBDC Surveillance State Act Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2025 SAFE Research Act

US HB2246

Foreign Investment Guardrails to Help Thwart (FIGHT) China Act

US SB524

Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2025

US SB929

GATE Act of 2025 Guarding American Technology from Exploitation Act of 2025

US HB4275

Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2025

US SB1190

Coast Guard Improvement Act of 2025

Similar Bills

HI HB546

Relating To Artificial Intelligence.

HI HB546

Relating To Artificial Intelligence.

HI SB1622

Relating To Artificial Intelligence.

HI SB1622

Relating To Artificial Intelligence.

US HB5466

GUARD Act Growing University AI Research for Defense Act

MD SB597

Higher Education - Maryland Artificial Intelligence Partnership

US HB8516

American Leadership in AI Act

US HB2385

CREATE AI Act of 2025 Creating Resources for Every American To Experiment with Artificial Intelligence Act of 2025