Ted Cruz Pivots Toward AI Regulation Ahead of July Markup, Abandoning 10-Year State Preemption Push
Updated
Updated · POLITICO · Jun 25
Ted Cruz Pivots Toward AI Regulation Ahead of July Markup, Abandoning 10-Year State Preemption Push
3 articles · Updated · POLITICO · Jun 25
Summary
Todd Young said Ted Cruz has made a “very significant pivot” on AI, moving from a view that no legislation was needed toward greater willingness to regulate before a late-July Senate Commerce markup.
Cruz’s aides reject the idea of a full reversal, pointing instead to his law criminalizing nonconsensual sexual images — including AI-generated content — and to his current push to regulate chatbots that can harm children.
The shift comes as Republicans and the White House increasingly back a federal AI framework, while concerns over national security, deepfakes and unchecked rapid development have gained traction on Capitol Hill.
Cruz’s room to maneuver has also narrowed: his failed bid last year for a 10-year moratorium on state AI laws now looks politically toxic, with even limited federal preemption losing support.