Controversial measure would have banned state AI safeguards
This week, House Majority Leader Steve Scalise (R-LA) announced that Congress would not include a state AI law preemption measure in the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). 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 preemption proposal follows a similar failed attempt to include AI law preemption in the Big Beautiful Bill earlier this year.
“These last-minute preemption proposals have mobilized a widespread and powerful coalition of parents, state lawmakers, faith leaders, workers, and American voters against banning state AI laws,” said ARI President Brad Carson. “By making another rushed attempt to sneak preemption through Congress, the industry players fighting against AI safeguards activated a movement that clapped back. Now Congress has gotten the message: Americans want safeguards that protect kids, workers, and families, not a rules-free zone for Big Tech.”
During debate over the proposal, a coalition of over 290 state lawmakers wrote to Congress, urging federal lawmakers not to pass a ban on state AI laws. In separate letters, faith leaders, whistleblowers, and unions also urged Congress to oppose inclusion of AI law preemption in the NDAA. For a tracker of lawmakers and thought leaders speaking out against the AI law preemption proposal, visit NoAILawBan.org.
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Americans for Responsible Innovation (ARI) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to policy advocacy in the public interest, focused on emerging technologies like artificial intelligence (AI). Learn more at ARI.us.