# Sanders Proposes AI Sovereign Wealth Fund Bill > Source: > Published: 2026-06-27 11:00:00+00:00 Sen. Bernie Sanders formally introduced the **American AI Sovereign Wealth Fund Act** on June 18, 2026, per the official senate.gov press release. The bill imposes a one-time **50%** stock tax on the largest U.S. AI firms - paid in shares deposited into a public fund - and creates the **Independent Commission for Democratic AI**, a seven-member bipartisan body to hold those voting shares and block decisions harmful to the public. A third pillar requires companies operating AI and non-AI businesses to split them, ensuring the public receives an ownership stake specifically in the AI portion. Sanders' office estimates the fund at **$7 trillion** at current valuations, with a **5%** annual dividend yielding roughly **$1,000** per U.S. resident. The proposal has drawn unusual cross-aisle interest: NOTUS reported that OpenAI CEO Sam Altman has discussed voluntary equity transfers with Trump administration officials; VP JD Vance has reportedly expressed support for public AI ownership per Tom's Hardware. Critics range from the Mises Wire ("fascistic and dangerous") to the Washington Examiner ("authoritarian power grab") to the WSWS ("state bailout of AI monopolies").