Markey also files his bill as an amendment to the appropriations package in the Senate

Bill Text (PDF)

Washington (December 17, 2025) - Senator Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.), member of the Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee, today led ten of his colleagues in introducing the States’ Right to Regulate AI Act, legislation to prohibit the Trump administration from implementing his Executive Order that attempts to block states from regulating artificial intelligence (AI). Senator Markey also filed his legislation as an amendment to the appropriations legislation that the Senate may consider in the coming days.

“Trump’s lawless AI Executive Order is a direct threat to our children, to workers, to our planet, and to marginalized communities,” said Senator Markey. “While I am confident that the courts will strike down Trump’s illegal power grab, Congress has a responsibility to assert its legislative authority and block this Executive Order. I will be pushing for a vote on this legislation as part of any appropriations legislation and urge my colleagues to join me in defending the right of states to regulate AI.”

Other cosponsors of the States’ Right to Regulate AI Act include Senators Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), Adam Schiff (D-Calif.), Cory Booker (D-N.J.), Peter Welch (D-Vt.), Ron Wyden (D-Ore.), Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.), Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), Alex Padilla (D-Calif.), and Dick Durbin (D-Ill.).

Senator Markey has been a leading voice against a moratorium on state AI regulations.

  • On December 11, Senator Markey decried Trump signing the Executive Order preempting state regulation of AI.
  • On December 8, Senator Markey slammed Trump’s announcement of the Executive Order preempting state regulation of AI.
  • On November 20, Senator Markey and Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass) sent a “Dear Colleague” letter calling on Senate Democrats to stand united and commit to opposing the NDAA if it were to include the AI regulation moratorium.
  • On July 1, the U.S. Senate voted 99-1 in favor of an amendment led by Senator Markey, Senator Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.), and Senator Marsha Blackburn (R–Tenn.) to strip a ten-year moratorium on state AI regulations from the Republican budget reconciliation bill.
  • On June 30, Senator Markey introduced an amendment with Senator Cantwell to strip the entire provision prior to introducing the same amendment with Senator Cantwell and Senator Blackburn on July 1.
  • On June 10, Senator Markey announced his plans to file an amendment to the Senate reconciliation bill to block Republicans’ attempt to prevent states from regulating artificial intelligence (AI) for the next 10 years.
  • On June 4, Senator Markey convened a virtual roundtable with advocates to discuss the impacts this ban would have on communities across the country.
  • On June 3, Senator Markey delivered remarks on the Senate floor opposing the provision in the House-passed reconciliation bill that would prevent states from regulating AI for the next ten years.

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