1. United States
2. Calif.
3. Letter

I am writing to urge you to take immediate action to protect American workers from AI-driven job displacement, which is accelerating faster than our policy framework can address. Block's announcement this week that it would eliminate approximately 4,000 jobs, nearly 40% of its workforce, with CEO Jack Dorsey explicitly citing AI efficiency as the reason, demonstrates that this threat is no longer theoretical. The market's response to Block's layoffs reveals a dangerous disconnect between corporate interests and economic stability. Block's stock surged 18% as investors celebrated improved margins from reduced labor costs. While individual companies benefit from AI-driven efficiency gains, widespread job losses will ultimately harm the broader economy that sustains these same corporations. The Citrini Research report titled "The Global Intelligence Crisis" warns that AI-driven automation could trigger a white-collar recession with unemployment potentially rising above 10%, with the first wave of layoffs due to human obsolescence predicted to begin in early 2026, particularly in the software sector. Block's actions this week suggest we may be ahead of that timeline. I urge you to champion comprehensive worker protection policies that address this crisis from multiple angles. Universal Basic Income programs would provide economic security as traditional employment becomes less reliable. Stronger layoff notification laws would give workers time to prepare. Mandatory severance packages would cushion the transition period. Most critically, robust retraining programs would help displaced workers develop skills for emerging roles that complement rather than compete with AI. The time to act is now, before mass displacement creates economic damage that becomes impossible to reverse. I ask that you introduce or co-sponsor legislation that explores all available solutions to protect American workers from AI-driven job loss. Our constituents need leaders who will prioritize their economic security over short-term corporate profit margins.