White House proposes bundling KOSA with AI preemption in desperate push
Big Tech’s final bid for federal AI rules hitches to child safety bill, causing confusion
Big Tech lobbyists have been chasing a holy grail: federal AI preemption to override the patchwork of state regulations. With midterms approaching and the risk of a hostile Democratic Congress, the White House has proposed a shotgun marriage between AI preemption and child safety legislation—specifically, Senator Marsha Blackburn's Kids Online Safety Act (KOSA). The goal is to secure bipartisan support by addressing children's online safety, a popular issue, while passing comprehensive AI rules.
However, the plan has hit snags. The White House reportedly did not inform House Republicans or key Democrats about the deal, leading to confusion over which version of KOSA would be used (Senate's stricter vs. House's looser). Meanwhile, Trump-aligned lawyer Mike Davis insists any preemption must protect his 'Four Cs': children, conservatives, creators, and communities. The White House's March 2026 draft AI law reflects some of these values, but KOSA only covers 'children.' Davis warned he will block any bill that doesn't address all four. The standoff highlights deep divisions within the GOP and uncertainty about the legislation's path.
- White House proposes bundling AI preemption with Sen. Blackburn's Kids Online Safety Act (KOSA) to pass before midterms
- House Republicans and Senate Democrats left out of talks, creating confusion over which KOSA version is used
- Mike Davis's 'Four Cs' framework (children, conservatives, creators, communities) must all be addressed for his support
Why It Matters
A federal AI preemption bill would reshape the regulatory landscape, overriding state laws and setting national standards.