Oppose Federal Moratorium on State AI Regulations

I am writing to urge you to oppose any federal legislation or executive action that would prohibit states from regulating artificial intelligence. Recent proposals, including language attempted for H.R. 1 and amendments to the National Defense Authorization Act, would impose a 10-year moratorium on state-level AI regulation. Additionally, reports indicate the Trump administration may issue an executive order challenging existing state AI laws. These efforts would strip states of their authority to protect residents from AI-related harms. Over 30 states have already passed laws regulating specific aspects of AI, including deepfakes and nonconsensual or child pornography. These regulations address real threats to constituents that demand immediate attention. A decade-long federal moratorium would freeze these protections in place and prevent states from responding to emerging AI risks as technology rapidly evolves. State governments have historically served as laboratories of democracy, testing policy solutions that can inform federal action. AI regulation is no different. States are closer to their communities and can respond more quickly to local concerns than federal agencies. Preempting state authority for 10 years would concentrate regulatory power in Washington while giving tech companies free rein to deploy AI systems without adequate oversight. The argument for federal preemption often centers on creating uniform standards for industry, but this approach prioritizes corporate convenience over consumer protection. States should retain the ability to safeguard their residents from algorithmic discrimination, privacy violations, and other AI-related harms. Federal standards can establish a baseline without eliminating state authority to enact stronger protections. I ask that you publicly oppose any federal moratorium on state AI regulation, whether proposed through legislation or executive order. Please work to preserve state authority to regulate AI and protect your constituents from emerging technological risks. Our communities cannot afford to wait 10 years for adequate AI safeguards.