Blackburn Backtracks on AI Regulation Ban
Senator Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.) announced on Monday that the deal to renew language in President Trump’s tax plan aimed at banning AI regulations is no longer valid.
Just the day before, Blackburn had expressed satisfaction after reaching a consensus with Senate Commerce Chair Ted Cruz (R-Texas) on new text that would prohibit AI regulations for five years. This text included an exemption concerning the Children’s Online Safety and Advertising Rights Act.
However, on Monday evening, she sought further support for this updated language.
“I appreciate President Cruz’s work to develop language that empowers states to protect their citizens from AI misuse, but the existing provisions do not adequately safeguard the individuals in need of these protections,” Blackburn stated.
She went on to express concern, indicating, “This clause could enable Big Tech to continue to exploit children, content creators, and conservatives. Until Congress establishes federal preemptive measures, like the Online Children’s Safety Act and the Online Privacy Framework, we cannot stop states from implementing laws to shield our citizens.”
Blackburn is a strong proponent of the Children’s Online Safety Act (KOSA), which she reintroduced last month alongside Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) and Senate leadership.
“As long as I’m in Congress, I’ll collaborate with federal and state lawmakers, as well as parents hoping to keep their children safe online, and the creative community in Tennessee. We’re committed to countering the exploitation by Big Tech through legislation to regulate virtual environments,” she added.
Tennessee Republicans have indicated they will back revisions to strip an amendment from Senator Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.) in the settlement bill, according to her office.
Cantwell plans to co-sponsor the Blackburn amendment with Senators Susan Collins (R-Maine) and Ed Markey (D-Mass.). Earlier that same day, she criticized the agreement between Blackburn and Cruz, asserting it fails to protect children and consumers.
“This is yet another concession to a tech company,” remarked Cantwell, who leads the Democrats on the Senate Commerce Committee, in a statement. “The measure grants AI and social media new shields against litigation and state regulations, essentially amplifying Section 230.”
Cantwell added, “And when [Commerce Secretary] Howard Luttonick has the power to compel states to finalize this deal or forfeit all the BEAD funds, it illustrates how disastrous this agreement is for consumers.”
The provisions are tied to $500 million earmarked for AI infrastructure and deployment under the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) initiative. In the revised language, states must refrain from regulating AI for five years if they want access to these funds. Previously, the proposal aimed to impose a ban on state restrictions for a decade.
Blackburn’s last-minute revisions come at a critical juncture, as the Senate has been engaged in lengthy voting on amendments related to Trump’s “big beautiful bill,” which he hopes to finalize before the July 4 holiday.
