Chuck Schumer calls on FCC to ban AI robocalls before elections

U.S. Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer of New York urged the Federal Communications Commission on Monday to reject a petition filed by the conservative organization Club for Growth that seeks permission for AI‑generated robocalls ahead of the November midterm elections. Schumer warned that such a change would let campaigns use an opponent’s voice to deliver messages that could be misleading at best and outright false at worst.

The petition was submitted on August 31, with the public comment period opening on September 4 and set to close on Monday, October 19. Earlier this month, FCC Democratic commissioner Anna Gomez also asked her colleagues to dismiss the request, echoing Schumer’s concerns. Gomez told Reuters that allowing a dark‑money group to flood Americans’ phones with unsolicited AI‑generated calls would create chaos so close to Election Day.

The issue has precedent. During the 2024 presidential race, voters in New Hampshire received an AI‑generated recording that sounded like President Joe Biden telling them not to vote. The FCC later identified a political consultant working for long‑shot primary challenger Dean Phillips as the source of the call.

At the state level, Louisiana, Tennessee and Vermont have each enacted laws this year that require clear disclosures for AI‑generated campaign phone calls. While robocalls have long been a feature of political campaigning, FCC rules prohibit such calls to cell phones without prior consent, though the restrictions do not extend to landlines.

Club for Growth president David McIntosh said the group wants the FCC to treat political speech protected by the First Amendment the same way it already treats wireless calls about package deliveries, bank accounts and doctor’s appointments.

When asked about the petition, an FCC spokesperson said no commissioner has indicated an intention to issue an order on this or any other petition, and that the commission simply seeks public comment on petitions as part of its normal procedure.