A 10-year federal moratorium on state artificial intelligence regulation, a provision initially included in President Trump’s sweeping tax-cut and spending bill, has been unleashed by an overwhelming Senate vote. The 99-1 vote on Tuesday represents a significant shift in national AI policy, empowering states to independently govern the technology.
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.”