Commerce

New Senate Bill Would Halt Federal Funding for Trump’s AI Executive Order

Legislation filed as an amendment to the upcoming Senate appropriations package.

Jericho Casper

Jan 7, 2026 — 2 min read

Photo of Sen. Ed Markey, D-Mass., speaking during a confirmation hearing on Capitol Hill on Jan. 29, 2025, by John McDonnell/AP.

WASHINGTON, Jan. 7, 2025 – Senate Democrats are ramping up efforts to block President Donald Trump’s executive order limiting states’ ability to regulate artificial intelligence.

Ten senators joined Sen. Ed Markey, D-Mass., in introducing the States’ Right to Regulate AI Act on Dec. 17. The legislation was also filed as an amendment to appropriations legislation that the Senate expects to consider in coming days.

“Trump’s lawless AI Executive Order is a direct threat to our children, to workers, to our planet, and to marginalized communities,” Markey said in a release. “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.”

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Commerce NTIA AI Donald Trump Ed Markey Howard Lutnick Arielle Roth Pam Bondi Ted Cruz Marsha Blackburn FTC FCC Justice Department Chris Van Hollen Adam Schiff Cory Booker Ron Wyden Bernie Sanders Ben Ray Luján Amy Klobuchar Alex Padilla Dick Durbin Peter Welch

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