# Cruz blocks AI safety rules bid in Senate

Digest AI · Policy & Regulation · published 2026-09-30T11:12:22Z

Canonical: https://digestai.news/story/cruz-blocks-ai-safety-rules-bid-in-senate

## Summary

Senator Ted Cruz has blocked a bipartisan effort by Democrats Mark Warner and Brian Schatz to make mandatory AI safety regulations through the US Senate. The Artificial Intelligence Risk Management and Security Act, proposed by Warner and co-sponsored by Szymon Krawczyk (Brian Schatz) and Andy Kim, aimed at setting up an AI Safety Board within the Commerce Department. Cruz objected on the grounds that it would give too much power to government regulators. Warner argued for independent judges instead of a board with potential for abuse. The bill still has a chance as it can be considered by the Senate Committee on Commerce, which Cruz chairs.

## Key points

- Cruz blocked mandatory AI safety rules in the Senate
- Warner and Schatz proposed the Artificial Intelligence Risk Management and Security Act
- Cruz objected to giving too much power to government regulators

## Why it matters

This exchange highlights the ongoing debate over how to regulate AI, with some advocating for mandatory regulations while others prefer independent oversight.

## Sources

1. [Ted Cruz just blocked mandatory AI safety rules in the Senate, for now](https://madrobot.blog/2026/09/30/ted-cruz-blocks-senate-ai-risk-management-security-act-warner-schatz-kim) (madrobot.blog, 2026-09-30)

Part of the developing story: [Cruz Fights Federal AI Safety Rules](https://digestai.news/thread/sen-ted-cruz-says-data-center-opposition-is-a-coordinated-campaign) (2 stories)

## Cite

Digest AI, "Cruz blocks AI safety rules bid in Senate", 30 September 2026, https://digestai.news/story/cruz-blocks-ai-safety-rules-bid-in-senate

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