Members of California Common Cause and residents of California’s 23rd Congressional District wrote to U.S. Representative Jay Obernolte to oppose his support for a provision of the recently passed Republican budget bill that would strip states, including California, of the power to pass state-level laws on artificial intelligence.

Obernolte has been a leading supporter of this controversial provision buried in the House Republican budget bill that would impose a ten-year ban on state-level AI protections.

In messages to Obernolte’s office, constituents warned that the bill would block California from responding to the real harms already posed by AI, including election disinformation, hiring discrimination, and denials of vital services like health care. They emphasized that, in absence of federal leadership, more than 20 states have passed bipartisan AI protections and cautioned that Congress should not override those efforts. 

“Congressman Obernolte is siding with the wishes of the tech industry over the very people he represents,” said 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.”

Read the full letter here:

As your constituent I’m writing to urge you to oppose any proposal — including language in the House Republican budget bill — that would strip states like California of the power to pass our own protections against the harms of artificial intelligence.

A 10-year ban on state-level AI laws would be a dangerous giveaway to Big Tech and a serious threat to public trust, safety, and democracy. AI is already being used to spread election lies, discriminate in hiring, and deny people vital services like health care. States must retain the ability to act when Congress doesn’t.

Over 20 states, including many with bipartisan support, have passed sensible protections against AI-driven deception and abuse. California should not be blocked from doing the same. Please reject this federal overreach and stand up for California’s right to act in the face of real and growing AI threats.

Signed,

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

David D., Hesperia