The US Senate just killed a 10-year moratorium that would have blocked states from enforcing AI regulations. The vote ended 99-1 to remove the GOP-backed provision from a larger domestic policy bill.
The moratorium would’ve paused state rules on AI, including critical laws targeting sexually explicit and political deepfakes. Senate Commerce Committee Republicans pushed the moratorium earlier, tying it to federal internet infrastructure funding.
Tech players were split. Some wanted one federal AI law, but many worried this moratorium would stall state efforts to hold Big Tech accountable—especially since no comprehensive federal AI law exists yet. 
The amendment to nix the moratorium was co-sponsored by Sens. Ed Markey, Maria Cantwell, and Marsha Blackburn.
Senator Markey slammed the moratorium removal vote:
> “This 99-1 vote sent a clear message that Congress will not sell out our kids and local communities in order to pad the pockets of Big Tech billionaires,” Markey said in a statement, adding, “I look forward to working with my colleagues to develop responsible guardrails for AI.”
The vote came during the Senate’s packed “vote-a-rama” session. Republicans want the bill on President Biden’s desk by July 4, but it still needs House approval. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene signaled she’d vote “no” if the moratorium stayed.
Advocacy group Public Citizen praised the Senate move. Ilana Beller, their democracy organizing manager, said removing the moratorium means state laws protecting Americans from AI harms stay intact:
> “State legislatures all across the country have done critical bipartisan work to protect the American people from some of the most dangerous harms of AI technology,” Ilana Beller said. “The defeat of this moratorium will mean vital protections remain in place for millions of Americans.”
The Senate just cleared the way for stronger state AI oversight. Federal AI regulation remains uncertain, but states can keep pushing AI safeguards for now.
