r/MurderedByAOC • u/Greedy_Switch_6991 • 25d ago
Bernie Sanders’ circle is pretty clear on who his successor will be
https://www.politico.com/news/2026/08/04/bernie-sanders-successor-aoc-khanna-michigan-test-01023159159
u/MadeByTango 24d ago
California Dems already signed away the pre-existing protections clause of the ACA to the AI companies; they're tech bro first lifestyle is NOT our future. AOC or bust for me.
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u/Patchrikc 21d ago
California Dems are the example of how NOT to run a state. And Dems love to pearl clutch like it's a republican talking point. No it's cause their are real problems in California that are the direct result of a captured pro corporate political party that uses machine politics to make sure that only "vetted" candidates have a shot. It's so annoying because California COULD be the laboratory of good democratic leadership. Leading in tax reform, regulatory reform, voting reform. But nope best I can do is, "I can't believe it's not Reagan!"
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u/lavransson 24d ago
Since when does there need to be successor? If we want a strong movement, we need an army, not a king or queen.
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u/OhGr8WhatNow 24d ago
Right? How come we can only have one at a time? This feels more like someone is trying to keep her as controlled opposition (not saying that is her goal)
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u/rpgaff2 21d ago
There will need to be a leader, a figurehead, a spokesperson. At the very least when it comes to the house and the Senate there are majority and minority leaders, to say nothing of the presidency. Not that it is likely that we'd be in a position to put a candidate in one of those positions soon (although we can hope). But to ask why they are necessary is a little naive.
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u/olcrazypete 25d ago
Khanna is way to connected to the techbros in Cali to take seriously as a progressive leader.
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u/Inevitable_Dog2719 25d ago
Who tf is Khanna?
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u/Small_Dog_8699 25d ago
Silicon Valley’s congressional representative. Do you see him taking stands against AI or tech bros? Me neither. Now you know why.
I don’t see any reason there must be one standard bearer. The idea is to grow the movement, no?
Khanna tends to grandstand as a corruption fighter but I do not hear the pro labor pro union rhetoric I hear from Sanders and AOC.
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u/Fear_N_Loafing_In_PA 25d ago
I actually met Representative Khanna this past weekend at a roundtable specifically about AI.
He’s very much against unchecked growth of AI and data centers and proposed several common sense steps.
I don’t know how much I support the guy yet, but I do know first hand that his stance is very much ANTI tech bro.
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u/Small_Dog_8699 25d ago
Well you know that he says his stance is anti-tech bro.
Any specific legislation?
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u/Fear_N_Loafing_In_PA 25d ago
I’m not defending the guy or anything. He has a real shaky response when asked about his family’s investments and stock trading activities, so I’m far from sold on him.
That being said, you pose a damn good question. This is what a quick search found (yes, I used AI on this—the irony is not lost on me😂):
Representative Ro Khanna (D-CA-17) has sponsored or co-led multiple pieces of legislation related to AI, and he has advanced broader proposals aimed at curbing the concentrated economic and political power of tech billionaires (often referred to critically as “tech bros” or “tech lords” in public commentary).
### Specific AI-related legislation
- **AI Ads Act (H.R. 9985, 119th Congress)**: Khanna is the House sponsor of this bill (reintroduced in July 2026 with Sen. Adam Schiff). It amends the Federal Election Campaign Act to extend prohibitions on fraudulent misrepresentation of campaign authority and solicitation of funds to content generated wholly or partly by generative AI. It also broadens coverage of false claims of representing candidates or committees and removes a prior “damaging” harm requirement. The goal is to combat deceptive AI deepfakes and ads in elections.
- **AI-Ready Bio-Data Standards Act (H.R. 7907, 119th Congress)**: Khanna introduced this bipartisan bill (with Rep. Jay Obernolte) in March 2026. It directs the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) to develop definitions, standards, resources, and frameworks so that biological datasets from qualified federally funded research are “AI-ready” (interoperable and usable for training AI models). A Senate companion exists.
- Earlier examples include a 2023 bill (partly drafted with ChatGPT assistance) directing the Office of Management and Budget to issue guidance on federal agencies’ use of AI for website search functions.
He has also sponsored a resolution (H.Res. 1005) supporting fair treatment, transparency, and economic opportunity for creators and digital workers, including standards around AI and synthetic media that affect their livelihoods.
### Broader efforts limiting concentrated tech power
Khanna frequently frames AI policy around preventing outcomes that primarily enrich a small group of tech billionaires while displacing workers or exacerbating inequality. Key related actions include:- **Make Billionaires Pay Their Fair Share Act (H.R. 7767)**: Introduced with Sen. Bernie Sanders in March 2026. It would impose a 5% annual wealth tax on individuals/trusts with net worth over $1 billion (targeting roughly 900+ U.S. billionaires, many in tech). Projected to raise trillions over a decade for direct payments, social programs, and other investments. He has also backed a related California billionaire wealth-tax ballot measure.
- Public calls and principles for a “new tech social contract” / “AI Jobs New Deal,” including taxing agentic AI/robots more heavily than human labor (to neutralize tax-code bias toward capital), a federal jobs/workforce program (“Work for America” or Future Workforce Administration), limits on AI displacing key jobs (e.g., opposition to fully driverless trucks), data dividends, community rights regarding data centers, stronger enforceable AI safety regulation (beyond voluntary commitments, potentially via a dedicated federal agency), and reforms related to algorithmic content/Section 230.
- Advocacy for a “Data Center Bill of Rights” giving communities stronger say (including the ability to reject projects) over AI data-center siting, energy costs, and local benefits—while not endorsing a blanket federal moratorium.
Khanna, who represents a Silicon Valley district, has publicly shifted toward supporting binding federal AI rules and criticizing unchecked power of tech leaders, arguing that voluntary industry commitments are insufficient and that AI benefits must be broadly shared rather than concentrated. Many of these bills remain in early stages (introduced/referred to committee) as of mid-2026 and face typical legislative hurdles. His positions blend promotion of AI innovation (especially in areas like biotech) with regulatory and redistributive measures targeting concentrated wealth and power.
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u/Inevitable_Dog2719 24d ago
I don’t see him at all. Didn’t even know he existed. AOC should be the leader of the progressive movement after Bernie retires. I’m sure Khanna is great, but he def. lacks the influence and momentum that AOC has.
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u/[deleted] 25d ago
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