States can still pass AI regulations, a ‘big, beautiful bill’ win for child safety advocates

The Senate voted 99-1 to remove a provision that would have banned states from regulating artificial intelligence for at least five years, a move widely considered a victory for child safety advocates. Originally proposed by Republican Senator Ted Cruz and later modified by Senator Marsha Blackburn, the provision faced significant opposition from parent advocates, tech policy groups, and state legislators who argued it prioritized corporate interests over public welfare. State legislatures have been leading efforts to address AI-related concerns such as deepfake abuse and risks from AI chatbots.