President Trump’s proposed 10-year federal block on state artificial intelligence regulation has unraveled in the U.S. Senate, with an overwhelming 99-1 vote to remove it from his sweeping tax-cut and spending bill. This outcome signifies a clear legislative preference for empowering states to independently govern AI.
Republican Senator Marsha Blackburn successfully introduced the amendment to remove the controversial ban during a marathon “vote-a-rama” session. This decision reflects a strong legislative sentiment that states should not be constrained in their ability to address the rapidly evolving landscape of AI, especially concerning public welfare and privacy.
The Senate’s original of the bill would have had a less direct impact on state AI regulation, merely making states with such rules ineligible for a new $500 million fund for AI infrastructure. The complete removal of the ban, however, provides states with full autonomy, removing any federal disincentives or restrictions.
While major AI firms like Google and OpenAI have expressed support for a unified federal regulatory framework to streamline innovation, Senator Blackburn emphasized the critical need for state action. She asserted that “The current language is not acceptable to those who need these protections the most.”