WASHINGTON, D.C. — The White House urged Congress to preempt state AI laws it views as too burdensome. The White House laid out a broad framework for addressing concerns about artificial intelligence without curbing growth or innovation.

House Republican leaders endorsed the framework and said they are ready to work across the aisle to pass legislation. The legislative blueprint outlines six guiding principles for lawmakers on AI regulation, focusing on protecting children, preventing electricity cost surges, respecting intellectual property rights, preventing censorship, and educating Americans on AI use.

State governments have moved forward on their own AI regulations. Colorado, California, Utah and Texas have passed state laws setting rules for AI across the private sector. State-level AI laws limit collection of certain personal information and require transparency from companies.

AI industry representatives and the White House argued that a patchwork of rules would hurt growth. "This was in response to a growing patchwork of 50 different state regulatory regimes that threaten to stifle innovation and jeopardize America's lead in the AI race," said David Sacks, White House AI czar.

Former President Donald Trump signed an executive order in December to block states from creating their own AI regulations. The Trump administration said states should not be permitted to regulate AI development, penalize AI developers for third-party misuse, or unduly burden lawful AI use.

The Trump administration said Congress should not preempt state regulatory powers over AI enforcement of general laws against AI developers meant to protect children, prevent fraud, and protect consumers. The Trump administration said Congress should not interfere with local authorities on where to site AI infrastructure or on how states procure AI tools for law enforcement or education.

Civil liberties and consumer rights groups are lobbying for more AI regulations. Passage of AI regulation legislation would require agreement with Senate Democrats.

"It covers basically all the key sticking points I think that might stop an AI bill from moving through Congress. It reads to me as an attempt to build a larger tent, even if it doesn't give everybody everything that they want," said Neil Chilson, AI policy lead at the Abundance Institute and former FTC chief technologist.

The White House is calling for strong federal leadership on AI governance to ensure public trust in AI usage. The White House pressured AI companies and the power sector to address data center energy issues by having AI companies sign voluntary pledges to build their own power generation plants. The framework recommends not intervening in legal disputes over AI training on copyrighted works, states the belief that training AI models on copyrighted material does not violate copyright laws but acknowledges contrary arguments exist and supports resolution by the courts.