Draft AI Framework to Replace State Laws Released by Senate (1)

The Senate has released a draft national framework to replace state laws on artificial intelligence and promote the technology’s development while minimizing risks to Americans.

Sen. Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.), a lead champion of protecting children and artists against harms posed by AI companies, unveiled the proposal Wednesday.

The measure, known as the TRUMP AMERICA AI Act, takes a sweeping approach to establish a federal standard on AI that seeks to allow the technology to flourish and ensure companies are creating products with safeguards. The legislation comes as President Donald Trump, in a December executive order, called for a single AI framework that would override state regulations, which the White House and tech companies have considered burdensome to the industry’s growth.

As AI development has boomed, states have moved to pass their own rules intended to mitigate threats posed by the technology, such as algorithmic discrimination and unauthorized deepfakes.

“Instead of pushing AI amnesty, President Trump rightfully called on Congress to pass federal standards and protections to solve the patchwork of state laws that has hindered AI innovation,” Blackburn said in a statement. “Now, Congress must answer his call to establish one federal rulebook for AI to protect children, creators, conservatives, and communities across the country and ensure America triumphs over foreign adversaries in the global race for AI dominance.”

There’s significant appetite on Capitol Hill from both parties to pass a national framework on AI. Yet whether Blackburn’s proposal will advance remains uncertain.

The draft raises some thorny issues, such as new mandates on tech companies, that have split Republicans. Such legislation would also need Democratic support to pass the Senate. And in an election year, lawmakers have a dwindling legislative calendar, presenting more challenges to reach an agreement and act by this year.

AI Risks, Innovation Efforts

The framework includes a pair of bipartisan bills—the Kids Online Safety Act (S.1748), which aims to require tech companies to prevent harm to minors, and the NO FAKES Act (S.1367), which would hold AI companies liable for use of a creator’s name, image, and likeness without their consent—that are co-sponsored by Blackburn. The measures are longtime efforts to increase protections for both children and teenagers, and artists and creatives, respectively, amid the rapid developments in technology.

The draft bill also would require third-party audits of AI systems to prevent discrimination. The provision is intended to address concerns over alleged anti-conservative bias by tech companies.

To protect the workforce, companies and federal agencies would be required to study AI-related job effects under the proposal. Data center developers would also have to work with the federal government to ensure consumer ratepayers are protected against higher electricity bills.

Initiatives to foster stronger partnerships between government, industry, academia, and civil society to advance AI research and guidelines are included in the proposal. The measure would codify into law the Center for AI Standards and Innovation, housed under the National Institute of Standards and Technology, which develops guidelines on the technology. It also would develop the National AI Research Resource—a hub for educators, students, nonprofits, and small businesses to access computational tools and infrastructure—to promote widespread AI development and innovation.