Emily Birnbaum

An observation following today's big AI news: the tech lobby is very good at stopping federal legislation it doesn't like. But they're a lot less successful when it comes to proactively pushing for measures to their benefit. Anti-big tech sentiment is still very real in Congress.

NEW: President Trump plans to deliver a major address on AI next week outlining his vision to ensure American dominance at an event hosted by the All-In Podcast, marking his biggest statement on the emerging technology at the heart of the US-China rivalry. bloomberg.com/news/articles/…

Gamblers are sounding the alarm on a revision to the tax code in the Senate’s version of Trump’s tax bill which could cost them even if they lose money. @business w/@StevenTDennis bloomberg.com/news/articles/…

NEWS: The ban on transition care through Medicaid was finally removed from Trump's Big Ugly Bill. A source tells me Sarah McBride and Tammy Baldwin worked tirelessly over the weekend to maintain Democratic opposition to the measure.

Lots of back and forth.. but the Senate ultimately removed a ban on state AI regulations from Trump’s tax bill Latest from the early am: W/@birnbaum_e @StevenTDennis bloomberg.com/news/articles/…

The Senate voted 99-1 (!!!) to strip the measure pausing state AI regulations from the tax bill early this morning. A huge loss for Silicon Valley leaders, big tech companies and venture capital who lobbied for the provision. bloomberg.com/news/articles/…

Distributional effects of the Senate tax bill bloomberg.com/news/articles/…

Scoop: Blackburn will offer an amendment to strip the AI moratorium after "repeated attempts to work with Chairman Cruz to find a solution that protects creators, kids, and all individuals from the harms of AI to no avail," her office said. axios.com/pro/tech-polic…

Senator Ted Cruz just told reporters he is confident the provision pausing AI state regulations will remain in the bill. Meanwhile, Senate Parliamentarian rules it CAN remain in the bill because it’s only tied to pot of $500 million in federal funding.

Senator Rand Paul just told me he is a NO on the pause on state AI legislation. He said he signed a letter today with other R senators to leadership saying they are opposed and want it out.

Another major change in the manager's amendment: The bill now prevents Medicaid funding for gender transition procedures for ADULTS as well as minors. (Previous version only applied to minors)

BREAKING: Trump Tax Bill Fails in House Panel as GOP Splits on Cost @birnbaum_e @JarrellTDillard via @bpolitics bloomberg.com/news/articles/…

For those watching the House Budget Committee, Chair Arrington announced to the room that they do not expect to reconvene today or this weekend after the tax bill vote failed this morning. He said returning first thing Monday is the plan at this point.

NEW: Behind closed doors, the Trump administration has mounted a “maximum pressure” campaign on a poor African democracy. The objective: push the country to help Elon Musk's Starlink business. w/ @BrettMmurphy @JustinElliott @Amierjeski propublica.org/article/trump-…

NEW: House Speaker Defends Trump’s Plan to Accept Qatar’s Luxury Jet. Says No Ethics Concerns Raised. @birnbaum_e via @bpolitics bloomberg.com/news/articles/…

Rep. Malliotakis said the SALT cap could grow to $80,000 for couples and $40,000 for individuals, but that could require other concessions. Fellow SALT lawmaker LaLota said they’re not close to a deal. (w/ @birnbaum_e ) bloomberg.com/news/articles/…