Major AI companies, including Nvidia, Microsoft, Meta, and Mistral, have urged US policymakers to avoid broad restrictions on open-weight AI models. The industry pushback comes as Washington debates how to respond to Chinese AI advancements and allegations of model distillation. Open-weight models, which allow developers to access and modify underlying code, have been gaining traction among Chinese firms, challenging leading American offerings. The companies argue that premature restrictions could stifle innovation and harm the global competitiveness of US technology. Notably, OpenAI and Anthropic did not sign the letter, signaling a divide in the AI community. Policymakers are weighing potential measures to protect US interests while balancing the benefits of open-source AI development.