Scoop: Blackburn to offer amendment to strip AI pause from budget bill
Illustration: Sarah Grillo/Axios
Sen. Marsha Blackburn will offer an amendment to strip the AI pause in the reconciliation bill, her office told Axios on Friday.
Why it matters: The provision has gone through revisions and the parliamentarian has approved it, but some Republicans remain opposed to the 10-year ban on state-level regulation.
Driving the news: "After repeated attempts to work with Chairman Cruz to find a solution that protects creators, kids, and all individuals from the harms of AI to no avail, Senator Blackburn plans to offer an amendment that would remove this misguided provision from the final bill," Blackburn's spokesperson said.
- "Her goal is to get the Big Beautiful Bill signed into law as soon as possible and pass President Trump's agenda."
Context: Blackburn this week pitched Senate Commerce Chair Ted Cruz on a state AI pause that would have exempted certain laws and made the moratorium shorter.
- Sens. Blackburn, Josh Hawley and Rand Paul had signed onto a letter on Wednesday calling for Senate Majority Leader John Thune to strip the language from the bill.
What's next: Every Democrat is expected to oppose the AI moratorium, and four Republicans would need to join them in order for it to be blocked.
