Senate Votes on AI Regulation Suspension
In a nearly unanimous vote early Tuesday, the Senate approved President Donald Trump’s significant legislation alongside a 10-year suspension of state and local artificial intelligence (AI) regulations.
Sen. Marsha Blackburn of Tennessee, a prominent critic of Big Tech, proposed a bipartisan amendment on Monday night. Joined by GOP Sen. Ted Cruz of Texas, the amendment aimed to address concerns surrounding a prohibition included in the president’s tax and immigration bill. This successful amendment was crucial for some conservative Republicans who were hesitant about supporting the president’s major bill, specifically in relation to the AI provisions.
The Senate ultimately voted to eliminate the clause by an overwhelming 99-1 shortly after 4 AM. The only lawmaker to back the ban on local AI regulations was North Carolina Republican Sen. Tom Tillis. His recent announcement indicated he wouldn’t seek reelection, and he mentioned the freedom to express his views candidly.
During the extensive voting session—which set a record for the most votes in American history—the Senate managed to pass the Blackburn amendment, which is the only related measure to clear the chamber so far.
Prior to this, Blackburn and Cruz had discussed reducing their proposed moratorium to five years in exchange for $5 billion in federal funding for AI infrastructure. This original compromise included provisions for regulating child sexual abuse content and ensuring online safety, but Tennessee Republicans later withdrew their support following pushback from child safety advocates.
Amidst pressure from fellow Republican governors and House members, Blackburn expressed concern that the compromise still lacked adequate protections for consumers and children online. She remarked that the current language fell short of what was needed for those most at risk.
The tension surrounding the AI regulation suspension highlighted rifts within the Republican Party, possibly jeopardizing the swift passage of the president’s landmark bill. While Cruz and his supporters championed the suspension as a means for the U.S. to maintain its leadership in AI—especially compared to China—Blackburn and other lawmakers warned that it could undermine state rights and hinder efforts to protect children and individual rights in the digital space.
