Greene revealed she was unaware of a provision in Trump’s One Big Beautiful Bill act (OBBB) that would prevent states from regulating artificial intelligence systems for a decade.
Bill,” Representative Eric Swalwell wrote in response.
Representative Ted Lieu said he had read the AI provision beforehand and “that’s one reason I voted no on the GOP’s big, ugly bill”, he posted on X.
You own that vote.” The AI provision was added just two nights before the bill’s markup.
Greene has called for the AI provision to be removed in the Senate, warning that “we have no idea what AI will be capable of in the next 10 years”.
Democratic colleagues have widely criticized Republican firebrand Marjorie Taylor Greene for acknowledging that she not only did not read Donald Trump’s tax and spending bill before voting for it, but that she would have voted against it if she had done so.
A clause in Trump’s One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBB) that would bar states from regulating AI systems for ten years is something Greene admitted she was not aware of. If the Georgia representative had been aware of the AI language hidden on pages 278–279, she said she would have voted against the entire bill.
“To be completely honest, I was unaware of this part of the OBBB on pages 278–279 that deprives states of the authority to enact legislation or regulate AI for ten years,” Greene posted on X. I would have voted NO if I had known this was in there because I am vehemently opposed to it and believe it violates state rights. “.”.
Greene’s admission was met with disbelief by Democratic lawmakers, who all voted against the bill.
“You work at one job. To. Go through it. the. Fucking. In response, Representative Eric Swalwell wrote, “Bill.
Representative Ted Lieu wrote on X that he had read the AI clause beforehand and that it was “one of the reasons I voted no on the GOP’s big, ugly bill.”. “PRO TIP: Before casting your vote, read the information. “.”.
“Read the f**king bill instead of clapping for it like a performing monkey,” said Representative Mark Pocan, who was more forthright. As it was being written, you ought to have completed your work. You never did. That vote is yours. “”.
Just two evenings prior to the bill’s markup, the AI clause was added. For a period of ten years, state and local governments would not be allowed to pursue “any law or regulation regulating artificial intelligence models, artificial intelligence systems, or automated decision systems,” unless doing so would make it easier for the implementation of such systems.
Facial recognition software, generative artificial intelligence, and automated decision-making tools used in public benefits, housing, and employment are all covered by the language. A number of states have already enacted legislation establishing protections for these systems, but if the bill is approved by the Senate, it may no longer be enforceable.
It also calls into question the peculiar situation of Republicans failing to read lengthy bills to understand their provisions.
When Nebraska Representative Mike Flood acknowledged that he was “unknown” to a clause limiting federal judges’ authority to impose contempt orders when he voted for the same bill, voters jeered him during a contentious town hall last week. Constituents yelled, “You voted for all of it,” in response to Flood’s statement, “I am not going to hide the truth: this provision was unknown to me when I voted for that bill.”. “”.
Elon Musk, the richest man in the world and a Trump supporter, described the legislation as a “disgusting abomination” on X Tuesday afternoon, so Greene and Flood are not the only unexpected voices criticizing parts of Trump’s “big, beautiful bill.”.
Musk wrote, “This disgusting abomination is a massive, outrageous, pork-filled Congressional spending bill,” which would “massively increase the already gigantic budget deficit to $2.5 trillion.”.
Democrats have pointed out that the bill contains large cuts to social programs and healthcare, including food assistance programs and Medicaid, which will affect millions of Americans.
Representative Yvette Clarke responded to Greene’s admission by writing: “Reading is fundamental! Maybe you would have caught this, Sis, if your colleagues weren’t so hellbent on jamming a bill down our throats in the dead of night, and bending the knee to Trump!”.
According to Representative Delia Ramirez, Greene seemed to have overlooked additional provisions that would have affected her constituents: “Oh, Marjorie! If you had read the bill, you would have also seen that 149,705 of your constituents could lose their Medicaid.”. “.”.
Last Wednesday, the House’s energy and commerce committee made progress on the reconciliation package. With the warning that “we have no idea what AI will be capable of in the next 10 years,” Greene has urged the Senate to repeal the AI statute.
