- Trump says federal rules would avoid “patchwork” at the state level
- Lawmakers say states are in a better position to respond more quickly
- Trump accused of siding with Big Tech
A key conflict is unfolding over whether the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) should block AI regulations at the state level, and President Trump is pushing Republicans to include a nationwide ban on state AI laws in the NDAA.
Trump argues that a single federal standard would be necessary to avoid a “patchwork of 50 state regulatory regimes.”
In a Truth post, the president wrote: “State overregulation threatens to undermine this ‘Major Growth’ ‘engine’… If we don’t, China will easily catch us in the AI race.”
Trump favors blanket US AI rules to avoid “patchwork” at the state level
A draft executive order being considered by Trump would see states that introduce ‘restrictive’ AI rules penalized with limited broadband funding.
Republican lawmakers have generally opposed overriding state laws, citing states’ rights and federalism. More than 200 state lawmakers have called on Congress to reject AI preemption, arguing that states are better positioned to act quickly on emerging technological problems.
“A blanket ban on state and local artificial intelligence and automated decision-making system regulation would abruptly cut off active democratic debate in statehouses and force a sweeping pause in policymaking at a time when communities are seeking responsive solutions,” they wrote.
Democrats have warned against giving Big Tech a “multi-year vacation” from state oversight.
They warned that the proposed federal preemption measure would block states from addressing AI’s new risks and leave children, workers, critical infrastructure and the environment at risk.
Despite a 99:1 vote rejecting the amendment, Trump has since been criticized for siding with Big Tech.
“Put it in the NDAA or pass a separate bill and nobody will ever be able to compete with America,” Trump concluded in the Truth post.
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