Jennifer Wexton uses AI voice on House floor for the first time

Rep. Jennifer Wexton 's (D-VA) voice returned to the House floor thanks to an artificial intelligence tool she uses as she battles a brain disorder that hampers her ability to speak.

Wexton announced she would be using the AI program earlier this month, after being diagnosed with progressive supranuclear palsy last year. She utilized the tool on the House floor to mark disability pride month during a speech Thursday afternoon.

I spoke on the House floor today to mark Disability Pride month.

I hope I can be a voice—even an AI voice—for Americans facing accessibility challenges & other disabilities.

Too often people only see us for that disability, & in truth we are so much more. pic.twitter.com/tDwe2A3QsU

"I hope that when people see me continuing to do all I can to keep living my life and doing this job I love as best I can, they understand and appreciate the courage, resilience, and spirit that so many Americans of differing abilities demonstrate each and every day," Wexton said.

"I hope I can be a voice — even an AI voice — for Americans facing accessibility challenges and other disabilities, because too often people only see us for that disability. And in truth we are so much more," she added.

In her remarks on the House floor, Wexton discussed the Americans with Disabilities Act, the Affordable Care Act , and her work in the Virginia legislature advocating for special needs individuals. She also talked about her personal battle with her initial Parkinson’s disease diagnosis, and her later PSP diagnosis.

PSP is defined by the Mayo Clinic as a "rare brain disease that affects walking, balance, eye movements and swallowing."

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Wexton discussed how her PSP requires her to use a walker, and predicted that before her term expires in January, she will likely need to use a wheelchair to get to floor votes. She did also said when she heard the AI replicating her voice for the first time it was "the most beautiful thing that I had ever heard and I cried tears of joy."

The Virginia Democrat announced last year that she would not seek reelection in November to her seat representing Virginia's 10th Congressional District, which she has held since 2019.