TikTok video by Off Record | Debates

TikTok video by Off Record | Debates

By David Shepardson WASHINGTON (Reuters) -Two key U.S. Republican senators agreed to a revised federal moratorium on state regulation of artificial intelligence to five years and allow states to adopt rules on child online safety and protecting artists’ image or likeliness. Senate Commerce Committee chair Ted Cruz originally proposed securing compliance by blocking states that regulate AI from a $42 billion broadband infrastructure fund as part of a broad tax and budget bill. A revised version released last week would only restrict states regulating AI form tapping a new $500 million fund to support AI infrastructure. Under a compromise announced Sunday by Senator Marsha Blackburn, a critic of the state AI regulatory moratorium, the proposed 10-year moratorium would be cut to five years and allow states to regulate issues like protecting artists’ voices or child online safety if they do not impose an "undue or disproportionate burden" on AI. Tennessee passed a law last year dubbed the ELVIS Act to protect songwriters and performers from the use of AI to make unauthorized fake works in the image and voice of well-known artists. Texas approved legislation to bar AI use for the creation of child pornography or to encourage a person to commit physical self-harm or commit crime. It is not clear if the change will be enough to assuage concerns. On Friday, 17 Republican governors urged the Senate to drop the AI plan. "We cannot support a provision that takes away states’ powers to protect our citizens. Let states function as the laboratories of democracy they were intended to be and allow state leaders to protect our people," said the governors led by Arkansas’ Sarah Huckabee Sanders. U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick voiced his support for the revised measure calling it a pragmatic compromise. "Congress should stand by the Cruz provision to keep America First in AI," Lutnick wrote on X. Senate Maria Cantwell, the top Democrat on the Commerce Committee, said the Blackburn Cruz amendment "does nothing to protect kids or consumers. It’s just another giveaway to tech companies." Cantwell said Lutnick could simply opt to strip states of internet funding if they did not agree to the moratorium.

Greens Senator Sarah Hanson-Young has outlined the conditions the government must meet to pass its gambling reform bill, emphasizing the need for bans on online advertising and inducements. The senator criticized Labor’s scaled-back proposal, which includes restrictions on TV ads but allows unlimited gambling promotions during sports events on streaming services. Opposition figures, including Liberal Senator Sarah Henderson, have called for significant amendments to address concerns over free bets and other incentives offered by betting companies. Hanson-Young suggested an opt-in model for advertising during sports could be a compromise, though she remains firm on banning predatory tactics. The government faces pressure to resolve the legislative stalemate ahead of Prime Minister Albanese’s return from leave, with critics arguing the proposed measures fall short of addressing systemic issues in the gambling industry.

Senate Republican John Barrasso says Democratic senators privately admit the progressive wave led by Abdul El-Sayed and others is their future.

Senate Republicans split on SAVE America Act's future as Trump pushes revisions. Which path will they choose? #SenateDebate #Republicans #SplitDecision.

YouTube video by PBS NewsHour

Senate weekend session Mar 21, 2026 to debate SAVE America Act (passed House Feb 11) proposes voter ID, citizenship checks and restrictions on gender-related care.

WASHINGTON - The U.S. Senate engaged in a grueling overnight session stretching into Tuesday as Republican leaders sought to secure support for President Donald Trump's sweeping bill of tax breaks and

The Senate adopted the conference committee substitute for House Bill 2,002 (K–12 appropriations) following extended floor debate about a $118 million projected shortfall the conference had expected to address. Sponsor Senator from Livingston acknowledged a calculation error that reduced the package's immediate coverage of the shortfall and said companion actions raise the total that would reach K–12 funding.