Republicans drop Trump-ordered block on state AI laws from defense bill
In a recent development, a significant effort backed by former President Donald Trump to include a provision in the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) that would prevent states from enacting their own artificial intelligence (AI) regulations for the next decade has fallen short. House Majority Leader Steve Scalise (R-La.) disclosed that a faction of Republicans is now exploring alternative legislative avenues to advance this measure. The push for a federal preemption of state AI laws stems from Trump’s belief that a uniform regulatory framework is essential for fostering innovation in the AI sector, as he argues that a fragmented system could hinder progress by imposing varying compliance burdens on companies.
Despite Trump’s advocacy, the initiative faced considerable resistance within the Republican Party itself. Many GOP members expressed concerns that allowing states to regulate AI could be beneficial in addressing the unique challenges and risks associated with this rapidly evolving technology. Critics argue that state-level regulations could facilitate a more agile response to emerging AI risks, thus providing a necessary balance between innovation and safety. This internal division among Republicans has led to a series of setbacks for Trump’s agenda, including previous failures to incorporate similar measures into other significant legislative proposals, such as the “Big Beautiful” budget bill.
The ongoing debate over AI regulation highlights a broader struggle within the Republican Party regarding how best to approach the governance of emerging technologies. As AI continues to advance and permeate various sectors of society, the need for effective regulatory frameworks becomes increasingly urgent. The failure to embed the AI preemption measure in the NDAA signals a pivotal moment for lawmakers as they grapple with the complexities of ensuring innovation while safeguarding public interests. As Scalise and other Republicans seek new strategies to advance this agenda, the conversation around AI regulation is likely to remain a contentious and evolving issue in Congress.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xzZKsPb8lTU
A Donald Trump-backed push has failed to wedge a federal measure that would block states from passing AI laws for a decade into the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA).
House Majority Leader Steve Scalise (R-La.) told reporters Tuesday that a sect of Republicans is now “looking at other places” to potentially pass the measure. Other Republicans opposed including the AI preemption in the defense bill, The Hill
reported
, joining critics who see value in allowing states to quickly regulate AI risks as they arise.
For months, Trump has pressured the Republican-led Congress to block state AI laws that the president claims could bog down innovation as AI firms waste time and resources complying with a patchwork of state laws. But Republicans have continually failed to unite behind Trump’s command,
first voting against
including a
similar measure in the “Big Beautiful” budget bill
and then this week failing to negotiate a solution to pass the NDAA measure.
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