— In response to the U.S. House of Representatives' vote to advance a budget bill that would ban the enforcement of state-level AI laws for the next decade, Common Sense Media Founder and CEO James P. Steyer issued the following statement:

"Let's be clear, tying the hands of state Attorneys General and legislators on AI laws is a policy measure, not a budget measure. It has no place in the budget reconciliation bill. Period.

"But even more importantly, this provision is irresponsible and indefensible. Congress has passed only one AI safety law and has yet to address the technology's privacy implications, the dangers of AI companions, or even require foundational guardrails to ensure the safe and effective development of this rapidly evolving technology.

"While Congress has stalled, states have served as the laboratories of democracy, acting swiftly to develop AI safety legislation based on their residents' unique needs. By stopping state-level progress in its tracks, Congress is infringing on states' rights to enact their own laws, hamstringing our ability to nimbly address challenges in the years ahead, and putting the health and well-being of children, teens, and their families at risk. This AI state law moratorium is a giant gift to the AI industry — no cops on the beat, no regulations, nothing standing in their way — but it is a nightmare for kids and families.

"As this budget bill heads to the Senate, we urge senators of both parties to do the right thing and strike this reckless proposal. Everyone knows the Senate will make changes to the House bill, and this should be one of them. Instead of repeating the same mistake we did with social media — where we allowed companies to use our kids as guinea pigs for years — Congress must work together to design effective rules of the road that ensure innovation without jeopardizing children's safety and well-being."

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