New York, NY — The Jed Foundation (JED) applauds the near-unanimous Senate vote early this morning to adopt Senator Marsha Blackburn’s (R-TN) amendment striking a dangerous provision in the “One Big Beautiful Bill” that would have imposed a federal moratorium on state regulation of artificial intelligence (AI). The decisive action rightly preserves states’ ability to act swiftly to protect youth from AI systems that are developmentally inappropriate, exploitative, or manipulative.
“At a time when AI is increasingly shaping the environments where children and young adults learn, socialize, and seek support, it is essential that governments at every level retain the power to act to curb the potential dangers that AI poses for youth,” said Dr. Zainab Okolo, Senior Vice President of Policy, Advocacy, and Government Relations at JED. “A federal moratorium would have undermined critical state efforts to respond to emerging harms and implement urgently needed safeguards and accountability measures.”
This 99-1 bipartisan action sends a clear message: Protecting the mental health and well-being of children must be our top priority.
JED strongly supports federal action to protect youth online, including the Kids Online Safety Act (KOSA), which would establish critical safety standards for online platforms and the AI systems embedded within them, and the development of a federal data privacy framework that addresses algorithmic profiling, opaque recommendation systems, and manipulative AI design. But until such protections are fully enacted and enforced, states must retain the authority to create applicable guardrails for AI that protect youth from harm, promote emotional well-being, and ensure accountability wherever AI is deployed. (Read our latest AI policy recommendations here.)
As Congress considers final passage of the “One Big Beautiful Bill,” we urge lawmakers to keep the safety and best interests of children at the center – and to reject policies that would weaken access to Medicaid and the mental health services young people rely on.
JED stands ready to work with both state and federal leaders to ensure our policies are prioritizing youth mental health and providing the protections and supports that young people need and deserve. We continue to advocate for specific protective policies to meet this moment.
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About The Jed Foundation (JED)
JED is a nonprofit that protects emotional health and prevents suicide for our nation’s teens and young adults. We’re partnering with high schools, colleges, and school districts to strengthen their mental health, substance misuse, and suicide prevention programs and systems. We’re equipping teens and young adults with the skills and knowledge to help themselves and each other. We’re encouraging community awareness, understanding, and action for young adult mental health.
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Media Contact
Justin Barbo
Director of Public Relations, The Jed Foundation
Justin@jedfoundation.org
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