What Others Are Saying About the Blackburn-Cruz AI Moratorium Amendment
June 30, 2025
Cantwell, Markey file amendment to strip provision from reconciliation bill as opposition to the amendment grows
Cantwell warns amendment is “just another giveaway to tech companies” that “gives AI and social media a brand-new shield against litigation and state regulation.”
WASHINGTON, D.C. – As opposition to the new Blackburn-Cruz AI moratorium “compromise” rapidly grows, Sen. Cantwell, Ranking Member of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation filed an amendment to strip the entire provision from the republican budget reconciliation bill. Here’s what others are saying about the amendment:
“Contrary to what proponents of the updated moratorium claim, recent changes to the proposal actually endanger the ability of states to enforce these laws. While the revised language adds child safety and other ‘generally applicable laws’ to its list of purported exemptions, it now requires states to prove these laws do not pose an ‘undue’ or ‘disproportionate burden’ on AI systems. Because many of these laws were passed in recent years to respond specifically to novel problems created by the rise of digital algorithms and AI systems, they burden AI systems by design, and for this reason fall outside the scope of the purported exemptions. Meanwhile, the vague standards set out in the moratorium will provide Big Tech a clear path to challenge nearly any state law in court, including ongoing litigation; this will lead to countless laws across the country becoming entangled in litigation.
Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety
“Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety (Advocates) opposes provisions on artificial intelligence (AI) in the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, H.R. 1, and the Senate language, including the June 29 compromise language. State actions on AI, which include protections on autonomous vehicles (AV), should not be undermined, especially in the absence of federal laws or rules.”
Americans for Responsible Innovation
“The Blackburn-Cruz compromise includes a loophole that continues to subject many AI/kids safety laws to the moratorium - even the ELVIS Act. The new language only upholds laws that don't place a ‘disproportionate burden’ on AI.
"Common Sense Media believes the revised language offered by Sens. Blackburn and Cruz to ban AI state law enforcement, which was developed without our input and released late last night, is intended to roll back the significant progress states have made to protect kids' well-being from social media and AI. We strongly oppose the amendment and urge Senators to reject this part of the budget reconciliation bill.”
Consumer Federation of America
“Last night, Senators Marsha Blackburn (R-TN) and Ted Cruz (R-TX) announced an agreement to change the AI moratorium in the budget bill from ten years to five years, and changed key parts of the bill, making it easier for tech companies to evade accountability for anything they want to do. Somehow, the Senators have managed to make the provision worse for the American people, and better for AI companies.” Link to full statement.
Council for Innovation Promotion
“AI tools and platforms come with enormous potential — but also real risks. We urge Congress to reject this moratorium and protect states’ ability to craft thoughtful, responsible AI policy that can help inform eventual federal legislation.”
“Young people shouldn’t be collateral damage in Big Tech’s AI rush. The Blackburn-Cruz “compromise” leaves loopholes that could weaken laws meant to protect us and block justice for those already harmed.”
Electronic Frontier Foundation
“EFF opposes any language in the Reconciliation bill that would propose any moratorium on states’ ability to regulate AI - essentially saying only Congress, not state legislatures, can place safeguards on AI. Especially while no comprehensive package to regulate AI has been proposed at the federal level, blocking states from the ability to react to emerging problems is misguided at best. At worst, this proposal will undermine a myriad of common-sense regulations on everything from malicious robocalls to necessary regulations for self-driving cars.”
International Longshore & Warehouse Union
“Overnight, we saw an agreement between Senators Blackburn (R-TN) and Cruz (R-TX) on a new version of the AI moratorium provision. On behalf of the over 40,000 workers the ILWU represents, I want to reiterate our strong opposition to the new AI moratorium provision, which would still block every state from enacting laws to protect workers from unregulated AI and automation. This dangerous federal overreach would silence state and local voices at a time when AI is rapidly disrupting jobs not only in ports, but in warehouses, hospitals, hotels, music industry, and public services across the country.”
National Conference of State Legislatures
“As the U.S. Senate advances the reconciliation budget bill this week, NCSL reiterates our strong opposition to the proposed AI moratorium. NCSL urges all U.S. senators to reject this misguided provision.”
“At a time when new details emerge every day about Big Tech’s untested AI assistants and chatbots causing harm to people, especially kids, Congress should be encouraging more oversight, not AI amnesty. This terrible deal all but ensures kids will not be protected online. If Republicans were truly serious about holding Google, Meta, OpenAI, and other tech giants accountable, they wouldn’t be trying to grant yet another giveaway to Big Tech,” said Sacha Haworth, Executive Director of The Tech Oversight Project. “Let’s be clear: Big Tech’s so-called ‘national strategy’ means no strategy whatsoever – tech companies don’t want to follow any rules, and Congress is willingly playing along.”
United Church of Christ Media Justice Ministry
“The United Church of Christ Media Justice Ministry has opposed and continues to oppose the newest version of the AI moratorium included in the budget reconciliation bill as of Monday, June 30, including the Cruz-Blackburn compromise. This provision should be struck in today’s vote-a-rama in the Senate and removed before the House votes on any package emerging from the Senate. We also stand alongside our colleagues in the United Church of Christ Washington DC national office in opposing the other devastating provisions in the legislation.”
Writer’s Guild of America East
“The US Senate is poised to vote as early this afternoon on an amendment in Trump’s One Big Beautiful Bill that stops states and localities from regulating artificial intelligence. Call your Senators NOW at 202-224-3121 to demand they strip the AI moratorium from the budget bill.”
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