Coalition Letter Urging Federal Preemption of Certain AI State Laws and Regulations
January 28, 2026
Re: Urging Federal Preemption of Certain State Laws and Regulations Specific to Artificial Intelligence
To the Members of Congress,
On behalf of our respective organizations, we write to express our strong support for a targeted federal approach that temporarily preempts certain state laws and regulations specific to artificial intelligence (AI). Federal preemption is a sensible and well-established legal tool that Congress has used across sectors to ensure a single, predictable standard for critical economic activity while a durable national framework is developed.
A limited period of federal preemption is particularly important today because the United States is facing growing regulatory fragmentation that threatens both our national security and our economic competitiveness. States have introduced hundreds of AI-related bills in an effort to respond quickly to a rapidly evolving technology. In the absence of federal coordination, a small number of states risk effectively setting de facto national standards, despite the fact that AI systems operate across state borders and throughout interstate commerce. This dynamic undermines democratic accountability and places the United States at a disadvantage relative to global competitors.
We wish to acknowledge President Trump and the current administration for their foresight in recognizing the critical importance of AI in securing America’s global competitive edge. The President’s steadfast commitment to ensuring the U.S. remains a leader in emerging technologies has played a pivotal role in shaping the national dialogue on regulation.
Beyond national security concerns, regulatory fragmentation has direct consequences for affordability and competition. A patchwork of state-by-state rules raises compliance costs, which are ultimately passed on to consumers in the form of higher prices and fewer choices. Uniform federal standards help lower these costs by providing clarity and predictability, enabling companies to invest more in innovation, efficiency, and responsible deployment rather than duplicative legal compliance.
This issue is especially acute for startups and small businesses. State-level AI regulations are often broad, vague, and inconsistent across jurisdictions. While large firms may be able to absorb these costs, smaller companies and new market entrants cannot. The result is higher barriers to entry, reduced competition, and fewer innovative challengers, precisely the opposite of what policymakers should want in a rapidly evolving and strategically important sector. Temporary federal preemption would help protect the ability of startups to compete, attract investment, and bring affordable, innovative products to market.
Importantly, this approach is not about leaving AI unregulated. Rather, it is about creating space for Congress to develop a thoughtful, balanced national framework while existing laws and federal agencies continue to apply. A time-limited preemption ensures that federal leadership is established without foreclosing future policymaking or locking in a permanent regulatory outcome before the technology and its uses are fully understood. This coalition welcomes and encourages congressional action that will ensure the U.S. remains on the vanguard of AI development.
Supporting a temporary federal preemption framework presents a meaningful opportunity to strengthen U.S. innovation, protect consumers, promote competition, and safeguard national security. We urge Congress to provide regulatory clarity and consistency while working toward a comprehensive, durable national approach to AI governance that reflects the interests of all Americans.
For a full list of signatories, see the original letter below: