Tue Jul 01 09:29:00 UTC 2025: Okay, here’s a summary and a news article based on the provided text:

**Summary:**

The U.S. Senate overwhelmingly voted to remove a 10-year federal moratorium on state regulation of artificial intelligence (AI) from President Trump’s tax-cut and spending bill. The vote came during a “vote-a-rama” on the legislation. Senator Marsha Blackburn’s amendment to strike the ban was adopted 99-1. Senator Thom Tillis was the only senator who voted to retain the ban. Major AI companies support the removal of the ban, favoring federal over state regulation. Blackburn initially compromised on a 5-year ban with exceptions but ultimately withdrew her support, arguing that states need to protect their citizens until federal preemptive legislation is passed.

**News Article:**

**Senate Overturns Federal Ban on State AI Regulation**

*Washington D.C. – July 1, 2025* – In a near-unanimous vote, the U.S. Senate yesterday struck down a 10-year federal moratorium on state regulation of artificial intelligence (AI), included in President Trump’s sweeping tax-cut and spending bill. The move, initiated by an amendment from Republican Senator Marsha Blackburn of Tennessee, passed with a 99-1 vote. Senator Thom Tillis of North Carolina was the lone dissenter.

The vote, part of a lengthy legislative session known as a “vote-a-rama,” reflects growing concerns about the need for localized AI oversight. Blackburn initially proposed a compromise of a 5-year moratorium with exceptions for protecting artists’ voices and child online safety, but ultimately withdrew her support.

“The current language is not acceptable to those who need these protections the most,” Blackburn stated. “Until Congress passes federally preemptive legislation like the Kids Online Safety Act and an online privacy framework, we can’t block states from making laws that protect their citizens.”

The decision is welcomed by major AI players like Google (Alphabet) and OpenAI, who have lobbied for a unified federal approach to AI regulation, arguing that a patchwork of state laws would stifle innovation. However, critics contend that state-level oversight is crucial to address specific local concerns and ensure responsible AI development and deployment.

The development will likely lead to a wave of AI-related legislation across individual states, setting the stage for a complex and potentially fragmented regulatory landscape for the rapidly evolving technology. The debate highlights the ongoing tension between fostering innovation and mitigating the potential risks associated with AI.

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