From Shield to Scandal: How Senator Blackburns Initial Support for Big Tech Turned into a Reversal of AI Moratorium

It all began with the introduction of a provision in Trump’s «Big Beautiful Bill,» which officially goes by that name, concerning a **10-year moratorium on any state laws regarding artificial intelligence**. Essentially, this was a get-out-of-jail-free card for big tech: «For the next decade, you will be **almost** untouchable!»

The idea was championed by David Sacks, known as the AI «czar» of the White House and a venture capitalist. However, this sparked outcry—from forty state attorneys general to far-right figures like Marjorie Taylor Greene—everyone uniformly declared: «This is a shield for abuse!» Advocates for children and musicians were particularly incensed.

On Sunday, Senators Blackburn and Cruz offered a compromise:

— Shorten the moratorium to 5 years;
— Allow states to regulate AI in the following areas: 1) online child protection, 2) combating CSAM (child sexual abuse materials), and 3) protecting a person’s name, voice, and image.

The last point was a personal victory for Senator Blackburn. Her home state of Tennessee had already enacted legislation against AI-generated deepfakes of musicians. It seemed a compromise had been reached—until it was not.

Critics quickly labeled the new version as a «clever Trojan horse» and a «get-out-of-jail-free card for big tech.» The issue lay in one loophole: state laws should not impose **“excessive or disproportionate burdens”** on AI systems.

«Social media has long operated on algorithms and AI. Now any regulation can be contested as an ‘excessive burden’,» explained Senator Cantwell.

Even child protection was at risk. Danny Weiss from Common Sense Media noted, “This clause could paralyze **any** attempts to enhance technology safety.» Steve Bannon even quipped on Twitter, “In five years, they’ll have done enough damage!»

By Monday evening, something unprecedented happened:

Blackburn withdrew her support for her own amendment;

She allied with Cantwell, her ideological rival;

Together, they proposed to completely remove the AI moratorium from the bill.

Her statement sounded like a verdict: “As long as we lack federal laws on child safety and privacy, we cannot tie the hands of the states.”

The Trump administration insists: «Vote by July 4!» However, the law is now on a course without the key «AI shield.»

**So what’s the outcome?**

— The AI moratorium has been **removed** from the bill;
— States retain the right to regulate AI (especially to protect children, musicians, and against deepfakes);
— Big tech has not gained «immunity»;
— The bill could still pass… but now without the scandalous provision.

**Related Links:**

— [Cantwell and Markey’s Amendment](https://www.commerce.senate.gov/services/files/4E32DD11-E014-4E2C-82FF-498405D737FC) (PDF);
— [Open Letter from Attorneys General](https://www.reuters.com/sustainability/boards-policy-regulation/ai-regulation-ban-meets-opposition-state-attorneys-general-over-risks-us-2025-05-16/) against the moratorium.

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