Growing unease among Republicans over the Congressional spending bill, dubbed the "One, Big, Beautiful Bill," is becoming increasingly evident.
Georgia Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene, a staunch supporter of the MAGA movement, has joined the chorus of dissent despite President Donald Trump's enthusiastic endorsement of the legislation.
As reported by the Western Journal, Greene expressed her disapproval on the social media platform X, highlighting a specific provision within the bill that she finds particularly objectionable. She revealed her opposition to a section that, according to her, "strips states of the right to make laws or regulate AI for 10 years."
Greene admitted, "Full transparency, I did not know about this section on pages 278-279 of the OBBB that strips states of the right to make laws or regulate AI for 10 years. I am adamantly OPPOSED to this and it is a violation of state rights and I would have voted NO if I had known this was in there."
Greene's concerns center around the potential dangers of unchecked artificial intelligence development. She warned, "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." She further emphasized the need to "reduce federal power and preserve state power," especially in light of the rapid advancements in AI technology.
The issue of artificial intelligence regulation had already been a contentious topic on Capitol Hill, with Greene's concerns echoing those of other lawmakers. Her critique of the "Big Beautiful Bill" coincided with a more widely publicized denunciation from Elon Musk, former head of the Department of Government Efficiency.
Musk, also taking to X, criticized the bill as a "massive, outrageous, pork-filled Congressional spending bill" and labeled it a "disgusting abomination." He admonished those who supported the bill, stating, "Shame on those who voted for it: you know you did wrong."
While Greene's objections focus on the AI regulation aspect, Musk's criticism aligns with fiscal conservatives who are alarmed by the bill's potential impact on the national debt. This group includes notable figures such as Representative Thomas Massie and Senator Rand Paul, both from Kentucky, who have voiced their concerns over the financial implications of the legislation.
As the debate over the "One, Big, Beautiful Bill" continues, the tension between federal authority and state rights remains a central theme. Greene's insistence on revisiting the AI provision underscores the broader conservative argument for limiting federal overreach and maintaining state autonomy.
As the bill progresses through the legislative process, these issues are likely to remain at the forefront of the discussion, reflecting the ongoing struggle to balance innovation with regulation and fiscal responsibility.
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