Schumer on May 1. Photo: Andrew Harnik/Getty Images
Mike Kuiken, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer's national security adviser for more than five years, has departed his post on Capitol Hill.
Why it matters: Schumer is losing an influential staffer in the realm of national security and technology just as Capitol Hill gets started in earnest on legislative AI work.
- This week Schumer and Sens. Mike Rounds, Martin Heinrich and Todd Young released their long-awaited AI report.
Driving the news: Last week was Kuiken's final week on the Hill before heading to the private sector, per a Schumer spokesperson.
- Schumer had also appointed Kuiken to the U.S.-China Economic and
Security Review Commission, with his term set to expire Dec. 31, 2025. - Before working with Schumer, Kuiken had served in the Senate Armed Services Committee for more than 12 years.
What they're saying: "Without Mike, I can say we would never have gotten the CHIPS and Science Act done," Schumer said in floor remarks this month.
- "Without Mike, we wouldn't have gotten the NDAA done for so many years. Without Mike, we would be nowhere in preparing for the future of AI in the sphere of national security."
Flashback: We highlighted Kuiken last summer as a tech policy staffer to watch, citing his work on CHIPS and AI.
