Congresswoman Luz Rivas Statement on AI Moratorium Provision Being Dropped from Republicans’ Big Ugly Bill

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Congresswoman Luz Rivas (CA-29), the only Latina in Congress with a background in STEM, released the below statement following the Senate’s action to remove the Artificial Intelligence (AI) moratorium provision from Republicans’ Big Ugly Bill. The AI moratorium provision would have blocked states from innovative uses of AI or establishing or implementing laws that protect Americans from current and future challenges related to AI and other emerging technologies. 

“We should be learning from how states address current and new challenges from Artificial Intelligence (AI) systems, not blocking their progress and their ability to innovate,” said Congresswoman Rivas. “From healthcare to education to finance, AI has shown tremendous potential to improve and enhance everyday life – but its quick rise comes with challenges. House Republicans’ 10-year AI moratorium provision would leave us unprepared to tackle these challenges as they arise, which is why I led an amendment to their Big Ugly Bill to remove this provision. The Senate’s overwhelmingly bipartisan vote to reject House Republicans’ AI moratorium provision allows states to enforce their current AI laws and enact new ones as AI continues to become more prominent in our lives. We must continue to ensure that all levels of government are able to address current and future challenges emerging technologies like AI can pose. While the AI moratorium provision was removed, House Democrats will continue fighting back against Republicans’ Big Ugly Bill that will result in millions of Americans losing their healthcare.” 

BACKGROUND: 

House Republicans included a 10-year moratorium in H.R. 1 that would have prevented states from implementing or establishing laws that regulate, limit, or restrict AI policy. 

Congresswoman Rivas offered an amendment at the House Committee on Rules to remove this provision from the Big Ugly Bill. House Republicans on the Committee rejected this amendment by an 8-4 vote. Watch Congresswoman Rivas’ remarks on her amendment. 

The Senate voted 99-1 to remove the AI moratorium provision from the Big Ugly Bill. The Big Ugly Bill passed the Senate 51-50, with Vice President J.D. Vance breaking the tie. 

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