Senate shoots down controversial AI regulation provision in Trump bill

(KRON) — The United States Senate shot down a controversial provision regarding artificial intelligence regulation in President Donald Trump’s massive tax bill. The provision in what Trump has repeatedly called his “Big, Beautiful Bill,” would have prevented states from regulating AI for the next 10 years.

In a rare showing of bipartisanship, the Senate voted 99-1 to remove the provision from the bill, defying vocal support from technology leaders in Silicon Valley and White House tech advisors Michael Kratsios and David Sacks.

Sen. Marsha Blackburn (R-Tennessee) lead efforts in the Senate to scrap the provision. Blackburn’s state of Tennessee is home to the Nashville music industry. According to Bloomberg, Blackburn was concerned the measure would block her state’s Elvis Act, which prohibits non-consensual use of AI to mimic the voices of musician.

“Early this morning, the Senate overwhelmingly voted to reject a dangerous provision to block states from regulating artificial intelligence, including protecting kids online,” wrote Sen. Ed Markey (D-Massachusetts). “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. I am proud to have partnered with Ranking Member Cantwell and Senator Blackburn on an amendment to strip this dangerous language, and I look forward to working with my colleagues to develop responsible guardrails for AI.”

The lone vote in favor of keeping the provision in the bill came from Republican Sen. Thom Tillis of North Carolina, who announced Sunday that he would retire from the Senate.