TPA Urges National AI Standard Without Red Tape

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Kara Zupkus (224) 456-0257

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Yesterday, Sen. Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.) released a 291-page discussion-draft proposal to regulate artificial intelligence (AI), taking the heavy-handed and overly burdensome approach that the Taxpayers Protection Alliance (TPA) has long warned against. Although TPA strongly supports a single national standard for AI, this proposal would eliminate the space this technology needs to flourish. This bill, called the “TRUMP AMERICA AI Act,” embraces an onerous red-tape-heavy model at odds with President Trump’s AI policy as expressed in his December 2025 executive order and elsewhere. Proposed provisions would stymie innovation and raise costs for consumers.

David Williams, President of the Taxpayers Protection Alliance, offered the following comment:

“Any national standard for AI must create sensible, light-touch rules that give this pivotal technology room to grow. The TRUMP AMERICA AI Act utterly fails in this task. The U.S. has become the global leader in innovation due to its sensible regulatory approach to digital technologies that promotes entrepreneurial freedom and permissionless innovation, all while maintaining a proper balance with consumer protection. Pursuing a different regulatory course for AI—a course reminiscent of the failed policies of Europe—would hold back American innovators in the coming decades and cede America’s technological leadership to China.

“The rise of AI has bolstered economic activity and greatly benefited U.S. businesses and consumers, transforming millions of lives and giving Americans access to unprecedented levels of information. However, the emerging state-level patchwork of AI laws is an existential threat to the industry’s development. For example, legislation in New York State would make it illegal for consumers to research whether it makes sense to go see a doctor or lawyer. Absent a national standard, developers will face the impossible task of complying with countless confusing state-level mandates—and consumers will pay the price. While a single national standard is badly needed, it should not embrace some of the worst and most burdensome ideas that have been percolating in the states.

“The bill also contains extraneous and destructive proposals. Sen. Blackburn’s bill would create a liability free-for-all by sunsetting Section 230, which has been indispensable to the growth of the digital domain. The legislation also bizarrely includes Kids Online Safety Act language, which would impose a vague and onerous ‘duty of care’ for online platforms to prevent undefined harms to minors. Imposing these terribly written rules is a surefire way for the U.S. to slow innovation, reduce consumer choice, and endanger the civil liberties of American users.

“AI has transformative capabilities, from assisting law enforcement and government in saving taxpayer money to lowering costs for businesses and consumers. AI services need a national standard to grow, innovate, and transform lives. Sen. Blackburn’s proposal, however, would achieve the opposite and kneecap a vital industry.”

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The Taxpayers Protection Alliance (TPA) is a non-profit, non-partisan organization dedicated to educating the public through the research, analysis, and dissemination of information on the government’s impact on the economy.