Rep. George Whitesides

U.S. Congressman, representing the Santa Clarita, Antelope, and N. San Fernando Valleys. Former NASA Chief of Staff. Proud father of 2.

[Rep. George Whitesides @Rep_Whitesides]

My statement on yesterday's vote to advance articles of impeachment against Secretary Pete Hegseth.

[Rep. George Whitesides @Rep_Whitesides]

In honor of Veterans Day, I spoke on the House Floor to recognize the men and women who have served our country and to honor the sacrifices they and their families have made.

Our commitment to veterans must continue long after they take off the uniform. I’ll keep fighting to ensure they receive the healthcare, support, and benefits they’ve earned, including by passing the Major Richard Star Act.

To all our veterans: thank you for your service.

[Rep. George Whitesides @Rep_Whitesides]

I was glad to join the Valley Industry Association for its Boots & Bow Ties Cowboy Ball!

A special congratulations to Kathy Norris on her retirement after years of leadership and service as VIA’s President and CEO. Wishing her all the best in this next chapter!

Congratulations to all of the night’s honorees for their contributions to our community and local business community.

[Rep. George Whitesides @Rep_Whitesides]

It was wonderful to join members of the Antelope Valley Marine Corps League Detachment 930 for the Aerospace Valley Patriotic Ball!

The evening was a chance to recognize the service and sacrifice of our veterans and celebrate the military community that has played such an important role in shaping the Antelope Valley. Thank you to Detachment 930 for hosting a wonderful evening and for your continued commitment to supporting our veterans and their families.

[Rep. George Whitesides @Rep_Whitesides]

It was wonderful to spend Saturday morning in Valencia for Bridge to Home’s third annual Turkey Trot!

The event raises funds for Bridge to Home’s work providing shelter, meals, and supportive services to people experiencing homelessness in the Santa Clarita Valley. Last year alone, the organization helped 72 households secure permanent housing.

Thank you to Executive Director Dietra Clayton, the entire Bridge to Home team, volunteers, and everyone who came out to support our neighbors and help more people find stable housing.

[Rep. George Whitesides @Rep_Whitesides]

It was so special to join the students and staff at Tamarisk Elementary School in Palmdale for their Veterans Day celebration!

It was inspiring to see our young people honor the men and women who have served our country through music and performance. It's important that the next generation understands the sacrifices our veterans have made to defend our country.

My office was also proud to provide more than 60 certificates recognizing local veterans. Thank you to Principal Adams, the school staff, and all the students for making this celebration possible. And to all our veterans, thank you for your service and sacrifice!

[Rep. George Whitesides @Rep_Whitesides]

I was honored to deliver remarks at the celebration of life for Retired Lieutenant Commander Walter Sapp of the U.S. Coast Guard and present his family with a flag flown over the U.S. Capitol in recognition of his service to our country.

Hearing from family, friends, and community members, a clear theme echoed through the room: Walter lived a life defined by his unwavering service to his country, a deep legacy of love for his family, and a profound commitment to our community.

My deepest condolences to his family and loved ones. Fair winds and following seas, LCDR Sapp. Thank you for your service.

[Rep. George Whitesides @Rep_Whitesides]

New reports show that more than $1 million was traded on Polymarket related to the 2025 Eaton and Palisades fires.

No one should profit off other people’s suffering. That’s why I’m introducing legislation to ban Polymarket, Kalshi, and similar platforms from allowing bets on wildfires, including how many acres burn or how long a fire lasts.

[Rep. George Whitesides @Rep_Whitesides]

I recently joined @MTSlive to discuss the work I’m doing in Congress on artificial intelligence. Congress has a responsibility to keep up with this rapidly changing technology, protect our kids from its potential harms, and make sure AI is advancing responsibly and transparently.

I break down the legislation I’m working on and what more Congress needs to do in the full interview. Watch here: https://t.co/sOgAyoz3y9

[Rep. George Whitesides @Rep_Whitesides]

Applications for Spring 2027 internships at my Santa Clarita, Antelope Valley, and Washington, D.C. offices are due November 9th at 5pm PST! Interns gain firsthand experience working in a congressional office while helping serve our neighbors.

Apply at https://t.co/EHflcu8wA2

[Rep. George Whitesides @Rep_Whitesides]

I am honored to continue serving the people of the Antelope Valley, Santa Clarita Valley, and San Fernando Valley in Congress.

I’m ready to keep fighting to lower costs, hold Washington accountable, and deliver a government that works for working people, families, and the next generation.

Let’s get to work!

[Rep. George Whitesides @Rep_Whitesides]

More than $1 million were wagered during the 2025 Los Angeles wildfires on prediction markets, with bets ranging from how long the fires would last to which neighborhoods would burn down.

No one should be able to profit off that kind of tragedy.

I introduced the bipartisan No Bets on Wildfires Act with @RepGallagherCA1, @RepSalinas, and @RepVinceFong to ban betting on wildfires and stop anyone from profiting off the destruction of our communities, the loss of lives, and the sacrifices of our firefighters.

[Rep. George Whitesides @Rep_Whitesides]

If you haven’t voted yet, there’s still time to make your voice heard. Get out and cast your ballot today!

Voting centers are open until 8 PM TONIGHT. Find your closest voting center or ballot drop box at https://t.co/gC4JJApDqc!

[Rep. George Whitesides @Rep_Whitesides]

Today is Election Day! Make your voice heard and get out to cast your ballot.

If you haven't voted yet, there's still time! Visit https://t.co/gC4JJAp5AE to find your nearest voting location and make a plan to vote before polls close at 8 PM tonight.

[Rep. George Whitesides @Rep_Whitesides]

People should never be able to profit off the suffering of others. Wildfires can be started by a single person, and betting markets could create an incentive for someone to start a fire to influence their bet. That’s dangerous and completely wrong.

I spoke with @TheoJaffee on @MTSLive about why we need to put an end to wildfire betting.

[Rep. George Whitesides @Rep_Whitesides]

As a dad, I’m seeing firsthand how AI is changing the way our kids learn. Students are using AI to write their assignments, which means that they’re not developing the critical skills they need to become independent thinkers.

I joined @TheoJaffee with @MTSLive to talk about my bill that would study how AI is affecting kids’ learning, attention spans, and development so we can better understand how to address these challenges.

[Rep. George Whitesides @Rep_Whitesides]

With Congressional power about to shift towards Democrats, Trump and Putin have been pressuring Ukraine into accepting a bad deal, putting their own political interests ahead of Ukrainian lives and security.

Read my full op-ed in @TheHillOpinion: https://t.co/9XbPbeWgHV

[MTS @MTSlive]

"I've called for a one-month pause on frontier model development." – @Rep_Whitesides

The Congressman argues AI labs should learn from aerospace, where major incidents mean stopping operations until it's safe to resume:

"I thought it was interesting that OpenAI essentially did that following the Hugging Face incident. But such a pause will not happen without some form of government impetus."

"I was chief of staff at NASA, and I was the CEO of Virgin Galactic for about 10 years. When we have a big incident or accident, we stop flying. We try to understand what happens, and only then do we return to flight."

"The AI development sector could use more lessons from industries where human health and safety has always been a crucial part of the industry, whether that’s airlines or aerospace or the nuclear sector."

"The power of these models is getting stronger at an unbelievable rate, and we need to get in front of that rather than following it constantly."

[MTS @MTSlive]

.@Rep_Whitesides explains why the US is spending a fraction of what the UK spends on AI safety, despite bipartisan calls to increase funding:

"I think it's crazy, and I think it's wrong, and we should improve that. The majority did not wanna increase that in Congress."

"There's actually bipartisan support to increase that number up to at least 80 million or 100 million."

"No matter what your views are of AI, we need to have a competent, funded government regulator who can understand what’s going on."

[Rep. George Whitesides @Rep_Whitesides]

I'll be joining @MTSlive in a few minutes - tune in!

[MTS @MTSlive]

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