Updated
Updated · The Verge · Jun 15
White House Ties AI Preemption to 2 Child Safety Bills as Congress Splinters
Updated
Updated · The Verge · Jun 15

White House Ties AI Preemption to 2 Child Safety Bills as Congress Splinters

2 articles · Updated · The Verge · Jun 15

Summary

  • Mid-June talks have left lawmakers and lobbyists unclear whether the White House wants AI preemption paired with the Senate’s stricter KOSA or the House’s looser child-safety bill.
  • That confusion stems from the administration backing Sen. Marsha Blackburn’s package without first aligning House Republicans or Senate Democrats, even as a separate bipartisan AI preemption bill already circulates in the House.
  • 60 Senate votes would likely be needed for any new standalone package, but Democrats who backed KOSA 91-3 in 2024 were not told their bill might be tied to the more divisive goal of AI preemption.
  • A month and a half before recess, the effort also faces a packed agenda that includes FISA renewal, immigration, defense spending, crypto legislation and budget fights, leaving advocates doubtful the combined bill can move.

Insights

With states and Washington at odds, who will ultimately write the rules for America's artificial intelligence future?
Can one law protect children online while also setting a single national rulebook for all of AI?