Republicans Drop Trump-Ordered Block On State AI Laws From Defense Bill
- Reference: 0180289145
- News link: https://politics.slashdot.org/story/25/12/04/2228233/republicans-drop-trump-ordered-block-on-state-ai-laws-from-defense-bill
- Source link:
> A Donald Trump-backed push has [1]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 [2]reported , joining critics who see value in allowing states to quickly regulate AI risks as they arise.
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> 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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> "We MUST have one Federal Standard instead of a patchwork of 50 State Regulatory Regimes," Trump wrote on Truth Social last month. "If we don't, then China will easily catch us in the AI race. Put it in the NDAA, or pass a separate Bill, and nobody will ever be able to compete with America." If Congress bombs the assignment to find another way to pass the measure, Trump will [3]likely release an executive order to enforce the policy. Republicans in Congress had dissuaded Trump from releasing a draft of that order, requesting time to find legislation where they believed an AI moratorium could pass.
"The controversial proposal had faced backlash from a nationwide, bipartisan coalition of state lawmakers, parents, faith leaders, unions, whistleblowers, and other public advocates," the NDAA, a bipartisan group that lobbies for AI safety laws, said in a press release.
This "widespread and powerful" movement "clapped back" at Republicans' latest "rushed attempt to sneak preemption through Congress," Brad Carson, ARI's president, said, because "Americans want safeguards that protect kids, workers, and families, not a rules-free zone for Big Tech."
[1] https://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2025/12/republicans-once-again-thwart-trumps-push-to-block-state-ai-laws/
[2] https://thehill.com/policy/technology/5630709-ai-preemption-republican-leaders/
[3] https://yro.slashdot.org/story/25/11/20/0034235/white-house-prepares-executive-order-to-block-state-ai-laws
Okay, so ... (Score:2)
> Trump backed federal measure that would block states from passing AI laws for a decade
Which rich, tech-bro, donors running AI companies whispered this idea into his ear?
Re: (Score:3)
It's usually the last person who talked with him.
Oh noes, that would suck. (Score:2)
> "We MUST have one Federal Standard instead of a patchwork of 50 State Regulatory Regimes," Trump wrote on Truth Social last month. "If we don't, then China will easily catch us in the AI race...
For most Americans, AI getting better just means a higher chance of being put out of work. Why would we want that? Let the Chinese put themselves at a risk of revolution faster. Wont bother me.
Re: (Score:2)
If musk was getting richer by pennies he earned himself, that'd be fine. However, musk is getting richer on government subsidies and, wait what? [1] the money of the CHINESE INVESTORS, [ft.com] which basically means the CCP elite.
Are you okay with the CCP elite owning elon musk?
[1] https://www.ft.com/content/66857e1e-a217-4ddd-8332-d9f0f75aa459
Apparently, States Rights are only important... (Score:2)
...when a state doesn't like national Democratic party priorities.
So Trump is planning to run for a third term (Score:2)
And the Republicans know this and many of them have their own presidential ambitions. If Trump is successful in a third term then we are probably in for a permanent Trump dynasty with Baron taking over when Trump dies and then Baron's son taking over and so forth.
While it's true that the heritage foundation is fine with that since it would still just be a puppet regime for them plenty of Republicans are hoping to be that puppet. Trump has made billions being president.
So what you're seeing here is t
Unite and rule... (Score:2)
> "We MUST have one Federal Standard instead of a patchwork of 50 State Regulatory Regimes," Trump wrote on Truth Social last month.
I wonder which broligarch lobbyist wrote that for him - I'm pretty sure the phrasing didn't spring from his dementia-addled brain.
On the plus side, Republicans voted sensibly for a change. Colour me surprised that they both defied Trump and acted in the best interests of their constituents. (Oops, my bad - apologies for the redundancy in my previous sentence).
Re: (Score:2)
presumably AI development would go to one of the 'race-to-the-bottom' states and all AI platforms would have a level playing field for AI client usage across the US whatever the 50 states do.
Re: (Score:2)
If you believe that China doesn't regulate "AI", you're quite misguided.
[1]https://www.whitecase.com/insi... [whitecase.com]
[1] https://www.whitecase.com/insight-our-thinking/ai-watch-global-regulatory-tracker-china