March 12, 2026
Nine senators demand AI job data as federal statistics lag private research
Congress is asking the government to start measuring AI job loss before it becomes a crisis
👷Labor🤖AI Governance🏢Legislative Process💰Economy
On March 6, 2026, nine U.S. senators sent a letter to federal agencies demanding expanded AI workforce data collection. The bipartisan group included:\n\n• Mark Warner (D-VA) and 
Josh Hawley (R-MO) who led the effort\n• 
Jim Banks (R-IN)\n• Maggie Hassan (D-NH) \n• 
John Hickenlooper (D-CO)\n• 
Mark Kelly (D-AZ)\n• Tim Kaine (D-VA)\n• Mike Rounds (R-SD)\n• 
Todd Young (R-IN)\n\nThe letter went to Labor Secretary Lori Chavez-DeRemer, BLS Acting Commissioner Bill Wiatrowski, and Census Bureau Chief George Cook. A Department of Labor spokesperson confirmed receipt and review.
Warner and Hawley wrote that federal statistical agencies' AI data lags behind private-sector research. They cited Anthropic's March 5, 2026 research showing AI performs 75% of programmers' tasks.\n\nAnthropic released its AI Exposure Index on March 5, 2026, identifying computer programmers as the most vulnerable profession. The company analyzed two million real AI conversations through its Economic Index to track actual workplace usage patterns.
The senators requested adding AI questions to three federal surveys. The Current Population Survey would ask workers about task automation, displacement fears, and AI-related job losses. The Job Openings and Labor Turnover Survey would require employers to report AI-connected hires, layoffs, and openings.\n\nThe National Longitudinal Survey would track AI's effects on career trajectories and wages over time. BLS was forced to delay its January 2026 employment report until February 11, 2026, due to the government shutdown.
Congress already directed BLS to evaluate AI workforce impacts. The House passed the FY2026 Consolidated Appropriations Act (H.R. 7148) on February 3, 2026, by a vote of 217-214. Warner and Hawley introduced the AI-Related Job Impacts Clarity Act on November 5, 2025.\n\nThe bill requires major companies and federal agencies to report AI-related layoffs quarterly to the Department of Labor. Hawley cited projections that AI could drive unemployment up to 10-20% in the next five years.
Hawley serves on the Senate Judiciary Committee and has held hearings on AI corporate power. Young co-chairs the Senate Bipartisan AI Working Group with Schumer. The Current Population Survey dates to 1940 and lacks questions about automation causes of job loss.\n\nA December 2025 congressional report found 54,694 jobs lost in 2025 specifically cited as AI-related reductions, with companies including Amazon, Salesforce, Meta, and Microsoft conducting layoffs linked to AI restructuring.
👷Labor🤖AI Governance🏢Legislative Process💰Economy
People, bills, and sources
Mark Warner
U.S. Senator, Virginia (D)
Josh Hawley
U.S. Senator, Missouri (R)
Jim Banks
U.S. Senator, Indiana (R)
Maggie Hassan
U.S. Senator, New Hampshire (D)
John Hickenlooper
U.S. Senator, Colorado (D)
Mark Kelly
U.S. Senator, Arizona (D)
Tim Kaine
U.S. Senator, Virginia (D)
Mike Rounds
U.S. Senator, South Dakota (R)
Todd Young
U.S. Senator, Indiana (R)
Bill Wiatrowski
Acting Commissioner, Bureau of Labor Statistics
Lori Chavez-DeRemer
Labor Secretary
What you can do
1
civic action
Demand your senators support federal AI job impact data collection
Nine bipartisan senators led by Mark Warner and Josh Hawley sent a letter on March 6, 2026 urging the Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics, and Census Bureau to expand data collection on AI's workforce impact. The senators warned that federal statistical agencies' data significantly lags behind private sector research, leaving policymakers and workers unable to determine whether AI is causing job losses or displacing workers. Without reliable federal data, workers cannot prove when AI replaces their jobs or access appropriate retraining assistance.
Hello, I am [NAME] from [CITY/STATE]. I am calling about the urgent need for federal data on AI's impact on jobs. Key points: Nine bipartisan senators led by Warner and Hawley sent letter to Labor Department, BLS, and Census Bureau on March 6, 2026. Federal statistical agencies' data significantly lags behind private sector AI labor market research. Workers cannot determine if AI is causing job losses or access retraining assistance without better data. Questions to ask: Will Senator [NAME] support expanding federal AI job impact data collection? Will Senator [NAME] co-sponsor legislation requiring companies to report AI-related layoffs? Will Senator [NAME] demand committee hearings on AI workforce displacement? Specific request: I want Senator [NAME] to support immediate action to expand federal data collection on AI's impact on American workers. Thank you for your time.
2
civic education
Participate in the Bureau of Labor Statistics'' public comment processes
The Bureau of Labor Statistics collects the nation's employment data, but its surveys don't track AI-related job changes. When BLS proposes survey updates, it must publish a Federal Register notice and accept public comments. Workers can submit comments during these periods to demand that AI displacement questions be added to the Current Population Survey, which would give the government the data it needs to understand AI's impact on jobs.
BLS publishes announcements about survey methodology changes at bls.gov. When BLS proposes changes to the CPS, JOLTS, or the National Longitudinal Survey, it publishes a Federal Register notice with a public comment period. You can submit a comment expressing support for adding AI displacement questions.
3
advocacy
Support state-level AI workplace transparency laws in your state
Several states have passed laws requiring employers to disclose when they use AI in hiring, promotion, or firing decisions. These state laws protect workers from AI discrimination, but the Trump administration claims federal authority preempts them. State laws remain enforceable until courts rule otherwise, so state representatives must defend these worker protections against federal challenges.
NCSL''s website tracks state AI legislation by year. Look up your state''s existing AI employment laws and identify bills currently in committee. Contact your state representative to ask whether they support requiring employers to disclose when AI systems are used in consequential employment decisions.