WASHINGTON — U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz is trying to stop states from regulating artificial intelligence in the GOP’s landmark tax-and-spending bill, but he’s meeting resistance from colleagues on both sides of the aisle.
A rare alliance is forming between Democrats and hardline Republicans who are working to imperil Cruz’s push as outside groups are lobbying senators and launching targeted messaging campaigns, setting the stage for a possible floor fight.
The AI moratorium — which Cruz has spent the last few weeks spearheading as chair of the powerful Senate Commerce, Finance and Transportation Committee — would only let states tap into the bill’s $500 million AI infrastructure fund if they forgo regulating the technology for the next 10 years. In Texas, a sweeping AI regulatory bill that Gov. Greg Abbott just signed into law would likely put this money in jeopardy.
