The Big Story 

A coalition of more than 140 organizations urged House leaders to reject a proposal in the House’s tax and spending bill that would block states from regulating artificial intelligence (AI) models for the next 10 years.

© Greg Nash 

In a letter sent Monday to House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.), House Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.) and congressional members, the organizations said the 10-year moratorium on state AI regulation would remove accountability for developing technology.

“This moratorium would mean that even if a company deliberately designs an algorithm that causes foreseeable harm — regardless of how intentional or egregious the misconduct or how devastating the consequences — the company making that bad tech would be unaccountable to lawmakers and the public,” the letter stated.

Signers of the letter included tech workers, civil society groups, academic institutions and artists.

Among those are Amazon Employees for Climate Justice, progressive consumer rights watchdog nonprofit Public Citizen and Alphabet Workers Union, the labor representatives for workers at Google’s parent company.

The provision, included in President Trump’s “one, big beautiful” bill, would bar states from enforcing laws or regulations governing AI models, systems or automated decision systems.

The House Budget Committee voted to advance the sweeping tax bill  Sunday, though the broader bill still needs to face a vote with the full chamber.

The letter’s signatories argue states’ actions on AI so far have attempted to protect residents from “the risks posed by unregulated or inadequately governed AI technologies.”

“We will only reap the benefits of AI if people have a reason to trust it,” the letter wrote. 

It comes amid a broader debate over federal preemption for AI regulation, which several AI industry heads have pushed for as state laws create a patchwork of rules to follow.

Read more in a full report at TheHill.com

Welcome to The Hill’s Technology newsletter, we’re Miranda Nazzaro and Julia Shapero — tracking the latest moves from Capitol Hill to Silicon Valley.

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Crypto Corner 

What’s next for the stablecoin bill?

© Greg Nash

Welcome to Crypto Corner, a daily feature focused on digital currency and its outlook in Washington.

Stablecoin legislation has cleared a key early hurdle in the Senate. However, a final vote may still be a ways off. 

The Senate voted 66-32 on Monday night to move forward with consideration of the GENIUS Act, which would create a regulatory framework for payment stablecoins.

The vote represents a win for the crypto industry, but what is expected to be a lengthy amendment process currently stands between the bill and final passage.

Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) has repeatedly emphasized in recent weeks that he plans to allow for floor amendments to the bill, which could draw out the process.

Sen. Cynthia Lummis (R-Wyo.) told reporters Monday that she expects a “robust amendment process,” adding that she’s unsure whether senators will finish up consideration of the bill this week before lawmakers leave for a Memorial Day recess.

Thune also reportedly said Monday that he does not expect to reach an agreement to fast-track consideration of the legislation, according to Axios.  

However, Sen. Bill Hagerty (R-Tenn.), who introduced the GENIUS Act, appeared more optimistic about the bill’s timeline, suggesting it could get across the finish line this week. 

“The momentum is very positive right now,” Hagerty told Fox Business’ “Varney & Co” on Tuesday.

“All the feedback I’ve had since last night has been extremely positive,” he continued. “So, we’re going to be working at pace this week—we might even get it done this week—that would be great if we could.” 

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