Concerning New AI Bill Would Harm Our Children and Democracy

In response to today’s news that Rep. Jay Obernolte (R-CA) and Rep. Lori Trahan (D-MA) unveiled a bipartisan House bill that would implement a federal AI preemption framework overriding state laws that protect consumers from AI-related harms, Issue One Policy Lead for Technology Reform Isabel Sunderland offered the following statement:

“This bill gives AI companies a free pass to avoid accountability for harming consumers. Americans are and should be deeply concerned—the bill would preempt states from regulating AI, without offering strong federal protections in their place. “The bill strips away states’ ability to pass AI legislation that protects a wide-range of harms including child online safety, copyright protection for artists, algorithmic price discrimination, scams against seniors, and much more. If this bill passes, dozens of state laws will be wiped out without comparable, strong federal alternatives.

“Americans deserve a national framework for AI that promotes innovation, maintains U.S. competitiveness, and strengthens national security. But that framework should establish strong baseline protections—not prevent states from addressing emerging harms when Washington fails to act.”