Cantwell, Markey File Amendment to Strip AI Moratorium from GOP Reconciliation Bill Amid Opposition to Blackburn-Cruz “Compromise”
WASHINGTON, D.C. – As opposition to the new Blackburn-Cruz AI moratorium “compromise” continues to grow, Sen. Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.), Ranking Member of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation, and Sen. Edward Markey (D-Mass.) filed an amendment to strip any AI moratorium from the Republican budget reconciliation bill.
What Others Are Saying About the Blackburn-Cruz AI Moratorium Amendment
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:
Ranking Member Cantwell Says Blackburn-Cruz AI Moratorium Amendment Does Nothing to Protect Kids and Consumers
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.), Ranking Member of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation, spoke out against the last-minute deal between Senators Cruz and Blackburn on a proposed five-year moratorium on states’ ability to regulate AI. The deal comes as parents, school districts and states are fighting social media companies in court to stop them from pushing their harmful and addictive products on kids, and this provision will give Meta and TikTok a get out of jail free card.
Cantwell Shines a Light on the Ugly in Republicans’ Big Beautiful Bill
WASHINGTON, D.C. – In a speech tonight on the Senate Floor, U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.), Ranking Member of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation, highlighted the damaging impact of provisions included by Committee-Chair Senator Cruz in the 940-page Republican reconciliation bill, including a 10-year moratorium on State regulation of AI and the auction of spectrum critical to national security and aviation safety. Highlights of her remarks:
10 More Organizations, 10 More Reasons to Oppose 10-Year AI Moratorium
Republicans are trying to enact a controversial provision in the Senate reconciliation bill imposing a sweeping 10-year moratorium on States’ enforcement of laws “limiting, restricting, or otherwise regulating” artificial intelligence (AI). Below are 10 more reactions to this proposal from organizations across the country.
ICYMI: Conservatives, Little Tech, and Business Leaders Voice Support for Commerce Committee’s AI Provision
WASHINGTON, D.C. – In case you missed it, the Senate Commerce Committee’s AI provision in the budget reconciliation text, released by Chairman Ted Cruz (R-Texas), received widespread praise from conservative groups, business and policy leaders, and entrepreneurs in the tech industry. The provision, expected to be included in the Senate’s One, Big, Beautiful Bill (OBBB), helps the U.S. beat China in the AI race by spurring investment and encouraging some measure of certainty to developers, researchers, and small businesses that might otherwise be subjected to a fragmented regulatory landscape governed by inconsistent and conflicting state-level laws.
10 Organizations, 10 Different Reasons to Oppose the 10-Year AI Moratorium
Republicans are trying to enact a controversial provision in the Senate reconciliation bill imposing a sweeping 10-year moratorium on States’ enforcement of laws “limiting, restricting, or otherwise regulating” artificial intelligence (AI). Below are just a sample of the reactions to this proposal from organizations across the country.
Senate Passes Cantwell, Blackburn, Blunt Rochester, Shaheen Bill to Prevent Supply Chain Disruptions, Protect American Producers, Consumers
WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Senators Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.), Ranking Member of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation, Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.), Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-Del.) and Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.) applauded Senate passage of the bipartisan Promoting Resilient Supply Chains Act. The Act would authorize the Department of Commerce to strengthen American supply chains for critical industries and emerging technologies by working with the private sector and U.S. government partners to anticipate and prevent future supply chain disruptions before they happen. In the process, it will also identify opportunities to grow manufacturing capacity and jobs and reduce costs for consumers.
Aviation Safety Leaders Whitaker, Sullenberger, Thomson Denounce Republican Spectrum Auction Plans That Put Public Safety at Risk
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, former FAA Administrator Michael Whitaker, safety expert Captain “Sully” Sullenberger and former Deputy FAA Administrator Katie Thomson spoke out against Chair Cruz’s reconciliation proposal to auction 800mhz of spectrum, including spectrum immediately adjacent to bands used by radio altimeters for commercial and military aircraft. Radio altimeters provide pilots with precise altitude readings during takeoff and landing, particularly in low-visibility conditions. When similar spectrum was auctioned in 2020, 5G deployment caused flight cancellations, forced 600 5G towers to go dark on launch day and left over 1,000 aircraft restricted from certain landings.
Senators Demand Answers from SBA Administrator Loeffler and Commerce Secretary Lutnick on Gutting Support for Entrepreneurs and Small Businesses
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.), Ranking Member of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation, and Sen. Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.), Ranking Member of the Senate Small Business and Entrepreneurship Committee, joined by Senators Tammy Baldwin (D-Wisc.), Jacky Rosen (D-Nev.), Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.), John Hickenlooper (D-Colo.), Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-Del.), Cory Booker (D-N.J.), Mazie Hirono (D-Hawai’i), Adam Schiff (D-Calif.) and Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), demanded answers from Administrator of the Small Business Administration Kelly Loeffler and Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick on the Trump Administration’s actions eliminating support for small businesses, including small minority-owned businesses.