Members of California Common Cause and residents from California’s 23rd Congressional District have expressed opposition to U.S. Representative Jay Obernolte regarding his support for a provision in the recently passed Republican budget bill. This provision would prevent states, including California, from enacting state-level laws on artificial intelligence (AI).
Obernolte has been an advocate for this contentious part of the House Republican budget bill, which aims to impose a decade-long ban on state-level AI protections.
Constituents have reached out to Obernolte’s office with concerns that the bill would hinder California’s ability to address existing harms caused by AI, such as election disinformation, hiring discrimination, and the denial of essential services like healthcare. They highlighted that more than 20 states have already implemented bipartisan AI protections due to the lack of federal action and cautioned against Congress overriding these measures.
“Congressman Obernolte is siding with the wishes of the tech industry over the very people he represents,” stated Jonathan Mehta Stein, Board Chair of CITED, a project of California Common Cause. “California must retain the right to protect its residents when Congress refuses to act. Voters in his district are making it clear — this overreach is unacceptable.”
A letter signed by various constituents urged Obernolte to oppose any proposal, including language in the House Republican budget bill, that would remove states’ power to enact their own protections against AI-related harms. The signatories argued that a ten-year ban on state-level AI laws would benefit Big Tech while threatening public trust, safety, and democracy.
The letter emphasized that AI is currently used for spreading election misinformation, discrimination in hiring processes, and denying access to vital services such as healthcare. It called for maintaining state autonomy in responding to these threats when federal action is absent.
Among those who signed the letter were Victor B., Yermo; Howard M., Apple Valley; S.R., Yucca Valley; Brad F., Yucaipa; Jacqueline B., Rimrock; Marsha S., Barstow; Khrysso L., Morongo Valley; Susan L., Joshua Tree; Craig N., Yucca Valley; Randall L., Hesperia; Caryn M., Victorville; Deidra A., San Bernardino; Erika M., Yucaipa; Jerald B., Loma Linda; Beverly T., Twentynine Palms; Leanne A., Yucca Valley; Maria A., Victorville; and David D., Hesperia.
