The U.S. Senate has voted decisively to dismantle a proposed 10-year federal moratorium on state artificial intelligence regulation, a key element of President Trump’s expansive tax and spending bill. The 99-1 vote on Tuesday significantly empowers states to craft their own AI policies, overriding a top-down federal restriction.
Republican Senator Marsha Blackburn successfully introduced the amendment to strike the ban during a marathon “vote-a-rama” session. This action demonstrates a strong legislative will to allow states to respond proactively to the challenges and opportunities presented by AI, particularly in areas where federal legislation is still in development.
Previously, the Senate’s of the bill would have had a softer impact, merely restricting states with AI regulations from accessing a new $500 million fund for AI infrastructure. The complete removal of the ban, however, grants states unfettered authority, removing any federal disincentives or restrictions on their ability to regulate AI.
While major AI companies like Google and OpenAI have expressed support for a unified federal regulatory framework to streamline innovation, Senator Blackburn emphasized the critical need for state-level safeguards. She asserted that “The current language is not acceptable to those who need these protections the most.”