(The Center Square) – A Democratic and a Republican lawmaker in Ohio are pushing back against President Donald Trump’s plan to take power from the state when it comes to artificial intelligence regulations.
The two join a chorus of other state lawmakers and governors pushing back against Trump’s executive order that enacts national AI regulations and cracks down on states with stricter rules.
State Sen. Louis Blessing III (R-Colerain Township) and Rep. Christine Cockley (D-Columbus) introduced a resolution condemning the executive order they say limits states’ rights.
In a statement, Blessing called it unconstitutional and insulting.
“It is not up to the White House to determine what state laws are good and which are bad,” Blessing said. “Not only is it blatantly unconstitutional, but it’s also deeply insulting. It implies that only the White House knows what is best in terms of AI policy, strong-arming Congress into rubber stamping its agenda, and ultimately brow-beating SCOTUS into blessing it as constitutional when the lawsuits reach that level.”
The two-term Republican senator also called on Congress, other state legislatures, and the U.S. Supreme Court to challenge Trump’s order, saying America is no longer a Republic.
“If members of Congress and the state legislatures, as well as SCOTUS, cannot be bothered to push back, or worse, attempt to ratify it in an embarrassing display of obsequiousness, then that is fine,” Blessing said. “In that case, we should refrain from describing America as a Republic, as it will have clearly ceased to be one. Do not cry foul when future administrations, irrespective of party, understand that they can steamroll legislatures, Congress, and the courts through executive order.”
Cockley has introduced legislation to stop AI systems from encouraging self-harm and to prohibit the use of artificial intelligence in therapy decision-making.
“The regulation of AI is not a partisan issue,” Cockley said in a release. “State government works closely with its constituents, are better positioned to understand local needs, and more capable of responding quickly to emerging issues. This executive order freezes progress and prevents states from doing the work they are uniquely equipped to do.”
Trump’s order takes aim at states with laws that the administration says “harm innovation.” Those states would lose access to crucial broadband funds and could even face lawsuits from the U.S. Attorney General’s newly established AI Litigation Task Force.
The order also directs Congress to “ensure that there is a minimally burdensome national standard” for AI and requires that whatever congressional framework emerges “forbid state laws that conflict with the policy set forth in this order.”
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The ultimate goal, the White House says, is to “protect American AI innovation from an inconsistent and costly compliance regime resulting from varying state laws.”
Florida Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis said his state can regulate AI how it wants, despite the Trump order.