Senate Proposes AI Regulation Ban Tied to Broadband Funding Amid State Pushback

President Donald Trump's 'Big Beautiful Bill' includes a controversial provision that would impose a 10-year ban on states regulating artificial intelligence, raising concerns among lawmakers and advocates about the lack of consumer protections and AI oversight. The House version enforces a blanket prohibition on state AI regulations, while Senate Republicans have proposed an alternative tying the moratorium to federal broadband funding eligibility, attempting to balance state powers with federal interests. This provision has faced bipartisan resistance, including from Sen. Ed Markey and Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, who oppose the ban due to potential harms such as algorithmic discrimination and lack of guardrails on the AI industry. Some Senate Republicans argue the moratorium is necessary to prevent a patchwork of state laws that could hinder technological innovation, while others express concern about preserving state regulatory authority and the provision's compliance with Senate procedural rules. State lawmakers, particularly Democrats in Massachusetts, are actively pushing back against the moratorium to protect their ability to enact AI-related consumer and election protections. The debate highlights the tension between fostering AI innovation and implementing safeguards, with the provision's future in the Senate uncertain amid political and procedural hurdles.