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Time of India
03-07-2025
- Business
- Time of India
How a GOP rift over tech regulation doomed a ban on state AI laws in Trump's tax bill
Academy Empower your mind, elevate your skills A controversial bid to deter states from regulating artificial intelligence for a decade seemed on its way to passing as the Republican tax cut and spending bill championed by President Donald Trump worked its way through the U.S. as the bill neared a final vote, a relentless campaign against it by a constellation of conservatives - including Republican governors, lawmakers, think tanks and social groups - had been eroding support. One, conservative activist Mike Davis, appeared on the show of right-wing podcaster Steve Bannon, urging viewers to call their senators to reject this "AI amnesty" for "trillion-dollar Big Tech monopolists."He said he also texted with Trump directly, advising the president to stay neutral on the issue despite what Davis characterized as significant pressure from White House AI czar David Sacks, Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, Texas Sen. Ted Cruz and passionate about getting rid of the provision had spent weeks fighting others in the party who favored the legislative moratorium because they saw it as essential for the country to compete against China in the race for AI dominance. The schism marked the latest and perhaps most noticeable split within the GOP about whether to let states continue to put guardrails on emerging technologies or minimize such the end, the advocates for guardrails won, revealing the enormous influence of a segment of the Republican Party that has come to distrust Big Tech. They believe states must remain free to protect their citizens against potential harms of the industry, whether from AI, social media or emerging technologies."Tension in the conservative movement is palpable," said Adam Thierer of the R Street Institute, a conservative-leaning think tank. Thierer first proposed the idea of the AI moratorium last year. He noted "the animus surrounding Big Tech" among many Republicans."That was the differentiating factor."Conservative v. conservative in a last-minute fight The Heritage Foundation, children's safety groups and Republican state lawmakers, governors and attorneys general all weighed in against the AI moratorium. Democrats, tech watchdogs and some tech companies opposed it, the moment was right on Monday night, Republican Sen. Marsha Blackburn of Tennessee, who opposed the AI provision and had attempted to water it down, teamed up with Democratic Sen. Maria Cantwell of Washington to suggest striking the entire proposal. By morning, the provision was removed in a 99-1 whirlwind demise of a provision that initially had the backing of House and Senate leadership and the White House disappointed other conservatives who felt it gave China, a main AI competitor, an Fournier, chairman of Students for Trump and chief marketing officer of the startup Uncensored AI , had supported the moratorium, writing on X that it "stops blue states like California and New York from handing our future to Communist China.""Republicans are that way ... I get it," he said in an interview, but added there needs to be "one set of rules, not 50" for AI innovation to be advocates fear a patchwork of state rules Tech companies, tech trade groups, venture capitalists and multiple Trump administration figures had voiced their support for the provision that would have blocked states from passing their own AI regulations for years. They argued that in the absence of federal standards, letting the states take the lead would leave tech innovators mired in a confusing patchwork of the commerce secretary, posted that the provision "makes sure American companies can develop cutting-edge tech for our military, infrastructure, and critical industries - without interference from anti-innovation politicians." AI czar Sacks had also publicly supported the the Senate passed the bill without the AI provision, the White House responded to an inquiry for Sacks with the president's position, saying Trump "is fully supportive of the Senate-passed version of the One, Big, Beautiful Bill."Acknowledging defeat of his provision on the Senate floor, Cruz noted how pleased China, liberal politicians and "radical left-wing groups" would be to hear the Blackburn pointed out that the federal government has failed to pass laws that address major concerns about AI, such as keeping children safe and securing copyright protections."But you know who has passed it?" she said. "The states."Conservatives want to win the AI race, but disagree on how Conservatives distrusting Big Tech for what they see as social media companies stifling speech during the COVID-19 pandemic and surrounding elections said that tech companies shouldn't get a free pass, especially on something that carries as much risk as who opposed the moratorium also brought up preserving states' rights, though proponents countered that AI issues transcend state borders and Congress has the power to regulate interstate Lucero, a Republican state lawmaker in Minnesota, noted that many other industries already navigate different regulations established by both state and local jurisdictions."I think everyone in the conservative movement agrees we need to beat China," said Daniel Cochrane from the Heritage Foundation. "I just think we have different prescriptions for doing so."Many argued that in the absence of federal legislation, states were best positioned to protect citizens from the potential harms of AI technology."We have no idea what AI will be capable of in the next 10 years and giving it free rein and tying states hands is potentially dangerous," Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene wrote on X.A call for federal rules Another Republican, Texas state Sen. Angela Paxton, wrote to Cruz and his counterpart, Sen. John Cornyn, urging them to remove the and other conservatives said some sort of federal standard could help clarify the landscape around AI and resolve some of the party's with the moratorium dead and Republicans holding only narrow majorities in both chambers of Congress, it's unclear whether they will be able to agree on a set of standards to guide the development of the burgeoning an email to The Associated Press, Paxton said she wants to see limited federal AI legislation "that sets some clear guardrails" around national security and interstate commerce, while leaving states free to address issues that affect their residents."When it comes to technology as powerful and potentially dangerous as AI, we should be cautious about silencing state-level efforts to protect consumers and children," she said.
India Today
04-06-2025
- Automotive
- India Today
KILL the BILL: Elon Musk ramps up attack on Trump tax and spending bill
Elon Musk unleashed a relentless stream of posts on Wednesday, slamming President Donald Trump's "big beautiful bill." He urged his followers to lobby their lawmakers and "Kill the Bill." He also warned that it could hasten the nation's slide toward financial ruin."Call your Senator, Call your Congressman," Musk wrote on his social platform X. "Bankrupting America is NOT ok! KILL the BILL." The post was one of several sharp criticisms levelled at the legislation, which Musk claims balloons the deficit and betrays fiscal sanity. advertisementThe Tesla and SpaceX CEO, who recently left his role as head of the now-defunct Department of Government Efficiency, has turned his influence -- and 200 million-plus followers -- toward lobbying Congress to reject what he calls reckless federal spending. "Mammoth spending bills are bankrupting America! ENOUGH," Musk wrote, continuing his attack on what he says is unchecked fiscal excess."A new spending bill should be drafted that doesn't massively grow the deficit and increase the debt ceiling by 5 TRILLION DOLLARS," the TeslaCEO said in another post. "A new spending bill should be drafted that doesn't massively grow the deficit," Musk, the largest Republican donor in the 2024 election cycle, said on another post. "America is in the fast lane to debt slavery."advertisementTop congressional Republicans rejected his criticism and one White House official on Wednesday called the Tesla CEO's moves "infuriating."Some Senate Republicans downplayed Musk's influence."I don't think very many senators are that interested in what Elon has to say. It's amusing. But we're serious policymakers. We have to govern, and so we have to deal with reality," Senator Kevin Cramer of North Dakota told Tuesday, Musk blasted Trump's "big, beautiful bill" of tax breaks and spending cuts as a "disgusting abomination.""I'm sorry, but I just can't stand it anymore," Musk posted on X. "This massive, outrageous, pork-filled Congressional spending bill is a disgusting abomination. Shame on those who voted for it: you know you did wrong. You know it." The legislation, which has passed the House and is currently under debate in the Senate, would curtail subsidies that benefit Tesla, Musk's electric tech billionaire followed his criticism with a threat aimed at Republicans."In November next year, we fire all politicians who betrayed the American people," he wrote in another X DEFENCE CUTS COULD HIT MUSK HARDMusk's business interests stand to take a hit if lawmakers approve Trump's bill, which would slash funding for electric vehicles and related technologies. Musk is the chief executive of Tesla, the nation's largest electric vehicle manufacturer, and SpaceX, which has massive defence month, Musk said he was "disappointed" by the spending bill, a much milder criticism than the broadside he levelled on Wednesday afternoon, Trump's account on his own social media site, Truth Social, reposted a screenshot of Musk thanking the president for letting him lead Speaker Mike Johnson, in response, said Musk was "flat wrong" about the bill's impact on the deficit and revealed he tried calling Musk on Tuesday night to no avail. Musk replied with a video clip of Johnson's comments and doubled down: "We need a new bill that doesn't grow the deficit."His final jab may have hit hardest: "No one who actually reads the bill should be able to stomach it."Musk's opposition to the bill comes just days after Trump publicly praised him during a ceremonial Oval Office farewell — a moment now overshadowed by Musk's dramatic public rejection of the president's fiscal inputs from AP, ReutersTune InTrending Reel
Yahoo
26-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Mecklenburg transit bill's chances remain '50-50,' Republican senators say
Senator Vickie Sawyer, who filed Mecklenburg County's tax bill to revamp the area's transit system, said the bill has '50-50′ chances of passing. Sawyer represents northern Mecklenburg County and Iredell County. She is also the chair of the Senate Transportation Committee. She filed Senate Bill 145 in January. But the bill has yet to move forward, the Charlotte Observer reported. The bill filed would allow Mecklenburg County to add a sales tax referendum on the ballot. It would propose a one-cent sales tax to pay for roads and public transit. It would require 40% of the tax revenue to go toward road projects and 60% to go to fund public transit, according to the Charlotte Observer. Transportation needs are the 'No. 1 issue' for lawmakers, Sawyer told the Charlotte Observer. And she said this is true for lawmakers across the state, not just in Mecklenburg County. 'I've said this from the very beginning, we have to look at a statewide approach to transportation funding,' Sawyer said. 'And if Mecklenburg County should get this, then every county should have the same opportunity, right?' She said representatives across the state need to provide more tools for their counties. 'I see a statewide approach as an ability to do that, and it doesn't mean the one-size-fits-all,' Sawyer said. Sawyer told the Charlotte Observer that Charlotte has a need for public transit, but Iredell needs to address orphan roads that were never transferred to the state or municipality for maintenance. READ: Transit momentum: Newly filed bill would allow sales tax increase for transit Senate leader Phil Berger told reporters that he believes the bill will move forward during this legislative session. 'I think it's still something that folks are interested in getting across the finish line,' Berger told reporters. 'We've just continued to have conversations, and I'm still of the opinion that it's something that we will see pass.' She said the Republican party is making efforts not to be 'picking winners and losers.' And she said it is hard to find support for a tax increase from Senate Republicans. Union County Republican Senator Todd Johnson told the Charlotte Observer that he doesn't think the bill has a chance. He said that Union and Iredell Counties would be the 'losers' if this bill passed. 'The only way to appropriately address the issue would either be one of two things: do nothing, or a statewide approach, because when you're cherry-picking one particular county, municipality, any subdivision of government, then there's obviously going to be winners and losers from that,' Johnson said. The southern edge of Mooresville in Iredell had been included in the plans for the Red Line, which is first on Charlotte's project list. But some Iredell County officials have expressed concerns over allowing the Red Line to extend into their county. Johnson said the bill needs too much work to be placed on this year's ballot. But Sawyer said the timing depends on how the rest of the session goes. WATCH: Transit momentum: Newly filed bill would allow sales tax increase for transit
Yahoo
07-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
University presidents, Republican lawmakers spar over alleged antisemitism on campuses
College presidents faced off with lawmakers on the House Education and Workforce Committee on Wednesday in an at-times contentious congressional hearing examining alleged antisemitism on campus. But the school leaders' concessions and inability to explain why they didn't follow university policies to remove encampment demonstrations fell short of satisfying Republicans.. When pressed by House Republican Conference Chairwoman Lisa McClain "How'd that go?" DePaul University President Robert Manuel responded, "Not very well." "Your apologies are a little hollow," McClain responded. PHOTO: Rep. Lisa McClain speaks at a hearing of the House Committee on Education and Workforce at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C. , on May 7, 2025. (Michael Brochstein/Sipa USA via AP) The hearing, aimed at stopping the alleged spread of antisemitism at colleges and universities, featured the presidents of DePaul University, Haverford College and California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo. Dr. Jeffrey Armstrong of Cal Poly defended his school and its "vibrant" Jewish community. "We do not tolerate threatening activity," Armstrong said. "We deploy campus police whenever there is the potential for trouble, and they make arrests and file criminal charges when justified. In addition, when alleged antisemitism or harassment occurs, we investigate and impose immediate university discipline," he added. In an exchange with Haverford President Wendy Raymond, Rep. Elise Stefanik, R-N.Y., admonished Raymond for her university's lack of transparency in identifying the school's disciplinary actions. "For the American people watching, you still don't get it -- Haverford still doesn't get it," Stefanik said. "It's a very different testimony than the other presidents who are here today who are coming with specifics," she added. "So, again, this is completely unacceptable, and it's why this committee stepped in because higher education has failed to address the scourge of antisemitism, putting Jewish students a risk at Haverford and other campuses across the country." PHOTO: College Presidents Testify At House Hearing On Antisemitism On Campuses () MORE: Education Department freezes Harvard's research funding, seeking compliance with Trump administration Stefanik has led the charge against antisemitic conduct and harassment on campuses since the Oct. 7 Hamas attack in Israel. Her question -- does calling for the genocide of Jews constitute as hate speech on campus? -- became the highlight of the Education and Workforce Committee's historic Dec. 5, 2023, hearing with the presidents of Harvard University, the University of Pennsylvania, and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology on combating antisemitism. But the hearing, called "Beyond the Ivy League," is a stark contrast from those featuring the schools on which the committee had typically focused its ire. This time, the university presidents prepared for Stefanik's grilling. The congresswoman asked if calling for the genocide of Jews is "protected speech" on Haverford's campus. "No, of course not," Raymond replied. "And what disciplinary action has been taken or would be taken if someone made that call?" Stefanik interjected. "Representative, there have been no such calls, and we would use all of our disciplinary actions to follow through on any such call," Raymond said. "I would never expect that to happen at Haverford, and if it would, we would deal with that swiftly." McClain told ABC News after her questioning in the hearing that it isn't Congress' job to get any of the presidents fired but that she thinks it should be "considered." "All options are on the table," McClain said. "Actions speak louder than words, right?" McClain added. "There has to be consequences to one's actions. And that's what's not happening at these universities. It's lip service." All the presidents distanced themselves from the answers made in the Harvard hearing and apologized to their respective Jewish communities for their inaction. "To our students, our parents, our faculty, our staff, our alumni and our friends, I am deeply sorry," Manuel said. "I know there are areas where we must and will do better." Manuel also spoke directly to two of his students who were harassed on campus last fall, including Michael Kaminsky, a junior who was in attendance at the hearing on Wednesday and said at a news conference on Capitol Hill on Tuesday that he was injured during an assault for being a Jewish American. "What happened to them was a hate crime. No one should ever be attacked because of who they are. I am sorry for the pain they experienced," he said. PHOTO: President of Haverford College Wendy Raymond and President of DePaul University Robert Manuel testify during a hearing before the House Education and Workforce Committee at the Rayburn House Office Building, on May 7, 2025, in Washington, D.C. () MORE: More than 25 protesters arrested after taking over University of Washington building The hearing was the committee's ninth congressional event dedicated to antisemitism since Oct. 7. Despite more than a year of oversight, Chairman Tim Walberg, R-Mich., said universities continue to be infested with antisemitism. Walberg slammed the presidents testifying on Wednesday, especially Haverford College, saying, "The Haverford administration has consistently refused to act against severe antisemitic harassment on campus. It has refused to even condemn these incidents of harassment or hostility in a clear, unequivocal statement, much less to meaningfully discipline the students responsible for these incidents." However, the liberal arts school has taken steps to address antisemitism in all its forms, argued Raymond, who repeatedly denounced hate speech on her campus. "I hear you and acknowledge that we can do better and I can do better," Raymond said. "To our Jewish students, some of you who are here today, I wish to make it unmistakably clear that you are valued members of our community and on our campus. I am sorry that my actions and my leadership let you down. I remain committed to addressing antisemitism and all issues that harm our community members. I am committed to getting this right," Raymond added. McClain blasted the "hollow" apologies. "Why did it take them this long to apologize, No. 1, and why did it take them this long to change their policies?" McClain told ABC News. "If they were truly sorry, it should have happened long, long ago." She warned colleges and universities that fostering antisemitism on campus could lead to monetary consequences, including the loss of federal funding. "The only thing that these universities respect is the dollar," McClain said. "I know it shouldn't be like that, but that gets their attention." PHOTO: Rep. Elise Stefanik speaks during a hearing before the House Education and Workforce Committee at the Rayburn House Office Building, on May 7, 2025, in Washington, D.C. () MORE: Department of Education lays off nearly 50% of its workforce Meanwhile, Democrats claimed the dismantling of the Department of Education's civil rights divisions, which conducts investigations on the issues the committee is bringing up in its hearings, runs counter to Republicans' work to eliminate antisemitism on college campuses. "We have in place systems to hold universities who receive federal money -- to hold them accountable for discrimination that occurs on the basis of religion," said Rep. Mark Takano, D-Calif., who later stormed out of the hearing during Stefanik's questioning. Ranking member Bobby Scott, D-Va., said the department has a backlog of 12,000 open civil rights cases but that the agency has slashed half its staff and shuttered regional civil rights offices across the country. "One is left to wonder how can OCR carry out its important responsibilities with half the staff?" Scott asked. Jewish Rep. Suzanne Bonamici, D-Ore., said she can no longer pretend the antisemitism crusade is a "good faith" effort by her Republican colleagues on the committee. "Instead of engaging with this topic genuinely and constructively, we have another performative hearing," Bonamici said. "It's another chapter in the majority's battle against higher education." University presidents, Republican lawmakers spar over alleged antisemitism on campuses originally appeared on
07-05-2025
- Politics
University presidents, Republican lawmakers spar over alleged antisemitism on campuses
College presidents faced off with lawmakers on the House Education and Workforce Committee on Wednesday in an at-times contentious congressional hearing examining alleged antisemitism on campus. But the school leaders' concessions and inability to explain why they didn't follow university policies to remove encampment demonstrations fell short of satisfying Republicans.. When pressed by House Republican Conference Chairwoman Lisa McClain "How'd that go?" DePaul University President Robert Manuel responded, "Not very well." "Your apologies are a little hollow," McClain responded. The hearing, aimed at stopping the alleged spread of antisemitism at colleges and universities, featured the presidents of DePaul University, Haverford College and California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo. Dr. Jeffrey Armstrong of Cal Poly defended his school and its "vibrant" Jewish community. "We do not tolerate threatening activity," Armstrong said. "We deploy campus police whenever there is the potential for trouble, and they make arrests and file criminal charges when justified. In addition, when alleged antisemitism or harassment occurs, we investigate and impose immediate university discipline," he added. In an exchange with Haverford President Wendy Raymond, Rep. Elise Stefanik, R-N.Y., admonished Raymond for her university's lack of transparency in identifying the school's disciplinary actions. "For the American people watching, you still don't get it -- Haverford still doesn't get it," Stefanik said. "It's a very different testimony than the other presidents who are here today who are coming with specifics," she added. "So, again, this is completely unacceptable, and it's why this committee stepped in because higher education has failed to address the scourge of antisemitism, putting Jewish students a risk at Haverford and other campuses across the country." Stefanik has led the charge against antisemitic conduct and harassment on campuses since the Oct. 7 Hamas attack in Israel. Her question -- does calling for the genocide of Jews constitute as hate speech on campus? -- became the highlight of the Education and Workforce Committee's historic Dec. 5, 2023, hearing with the presidents of Harvard University, the University of Pennsylvania, and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology on combating antisemitism. But the hearing, called "Beyond the Ivy League," is a stark contrast from those featuring the schools on which the committee had typically focused its ire. This time, the university presidents prepared for Stefanik's grilling. The congresswoman asked if calling for the genocide of Jews is "protected speech" on Haverford's campus. "No, of course not," Raymond replied. "And what disciplinary action has been taken or would be taken if someone made that call?" Stefanik interjected. "Representative, there have been no such calls, and we would use all of our disciplinary actions to follow through on any such call," Raymond said. "I would never expect that to happen at Haverford, and if it would, we would deal with that swiftly." McClain told ABC News after her questioning in the hearing that it isn't Congress' job to get any of the presidents fired but that she thinks it should be "considered." "All options are on the table," McClain said. "Actions speak louder than words, right?" McClain added. "There has to be consequences to one's actions. And that's what's not happening at these universities. It's lip service." All the presidents distanced themselves from the answers made in the Harvard hearing and apologized to their respective Jewish communities for their inaction. "To our students, our parents, our faculty, our staff, our alumni and our friends, I am deeply sorry," Manuel said. "I know there are areas where we must and will do better." Manuel also spoke directly to two of his students who were harassed on campus last fall, including Michael Kaminsky, a junior who was in attendance at the hearing on Wednesday and said at a news conference on Capitol Hill on Tuesday that he was injured during an assault for being a Jewish American. "What happened to them was a hate crime. No one should ever be attacked because of who they are. I am sorry for the pain they experienced," he said. The hearing was the committee's ninth congressional event dedicated to antisemitism since Oct. 7. Despite more than a year of oversight, Chairman Tim Walberg, R-Mich., said universities continue to be infested with antisemitism. Walberg slammed the presidents testifying on Wednesday, especially Haverford College, saying, "The Haverford administration has consistently refused to act against severe antisemitic harassment on campus. It has refused to even condemn these incidents of harassment or hostility in a clear, unequivocal statement, much less to meaningfully discipline the students responsible for these incidents." However, the liberal arts school has taken steps to address antisemitism in all its forms, argued Raymond, who repeatedly denounced hate speech on her campus. "I hear you and acknowledge that we can do better and I can do better," Raymond said. "To our Jewish students, some of you who are here today, I wish to make it unmistakably clear that you are valued members of our community and on our campus. I am sorry that my actions and my leadership let you down. I remain committed to addressing antisemitism and all issues that harm our community members. I am committed to getting this right," Raymond added. McClain blasted the "hollow" apologies. "Why did it take them this long to apologize, No. 1, and why did it take them this long to change their policies?" McClain told ABC News. "If they were truly sorry, it should have happened long, long ago." She warned colleges and universities that fostering antisemitism on campus could lead to monetary consequences, including the loss of federal funding. "The only thing that these universities respect is the dollar," McClain said. "I know it shouldn't be like that, but that gets their attention." Meanwhile, Democrats claimed the dismantling of the Department of Education's civil rights divisions, which conducts investigations on the issues the committee is bringing up in its hearings, runs counter to Republicans' work to eliminate antisemitism on college campuses. "We have in place systems to hold universities who receive federal money -- to hold them accountable for discrimination that occurs on the basis of religion," said Rep. Mark Takano, D-Calif., who later stormed out of the hearing during Stefanik's questioning. Ranking member Bobby Scott, D-Va., said the department has a backlog of 12,000 open civil rights cases but that the agency has slashed half its staff and shuttered regional civil rights offices across the country. "One is left to wonder how can OCR carry out its important responsibilities with half the staff?" Scott asked. Jewish Rep. Suzanne Bonamici, D-Ore., said she can no longer pretend the antisemitism crusade is a "good faith" effort by her Republican colleagues on the committee. "Instead of engaging with this topic genuinely and constructively, we have another performative hearing," Bonamici said. "It's another chapter in the majority's battle against higher education."
