Faith Leaders Applaud Senate Rejection of Federal AI Moratorium

99–1 Vote Marks Resounding Win for Conscience-Driven, Local Governance

Washington, D.C. — Today, the Logos & Sofia coalition, a coalition of prominent faith leaders and faith based organizations from across the country, celebrated a decisive victory as the U.S. Senate overwhelmingly voted 99–1 to strike a proposed artificial intelligence (AI) moratorium from the GOP’s Senate reconciliation bill.

The provision, which sought to block states from regulating AI for a decade and tie broadband funding to state compliance, was met with strong bipartisan resistance and weeks of outcry from governors, civil society groups, and faith communities across the country.

Logos & Sofia led the faith-based opposition, organizing a diverse coalition of Evangelical, Catholic, Muslim, and Latter-day Saint organizations and leaders to call on Congress to reject the proposal. In a joint letter delivered last week, the coalition warned that the measure would “trade local conscience for federal control,” stifling state voices and removing moral leadership from critical questions about how AI shapes society.

“We don’t fear AI, but we do fear a future where only the powerful get to shape it.” said Michael Vazquez, CEO and Founding Partner of The Maiden Group. “Faith communities across traditions stood united against an unjust effort to sideline the voices of families, workers, local lawmakers, and communities of faith and conscience. The Senate listened and overwhelmingly rejected an approach that would have used broadband funding to coerce states into silence. Today’s victory preserves the ability for states to lead with moral clarity and ensures that the future of AI can be determined with wisdom, driven by America’s spirit of both fairness and innovation.”

The coalition added an important moral voice to the chorus of bipartisan opposition, helping to lay the groundwork for the successful late-night effort by Sens. Marsha Blackburn (R-TN) and Maria Cantwell (D-WA) to remove the provision. In a joint letter signed by prominent national faith leaders, the coalition emphasized that ethical AI requires both strong federal guardrails and the freedom for states to lead with conviction. 

Logos & Sofia will continue to advocate for a national AI framework that respects both moral clarity and democratic governance—rooted in partnership between federal and state leaders, and anchored in enduring American values.

Signatories for the letter were:

Imam Abdullah Antepli Associate Vice Provost, Duke University 

Better Neighbors AI

Dr. Christina Edmondson & Ekemini Uwan Co-Founders, Truth’s Table

Emma Petty Addams & Jennifer Walker Thomas

Co-Executive Directors,Mormon Women for Ethical Government

Eric Sapp President, Public Democracy

Rev. Dr. Gabriel Salguero  & Rev. Jeanette Salguero President, National Latino Evangelical Coalition

Michael Vazquez CEO & Founding Partner, The Maiden Group

Dr. Napp Nazworth Executive Director, American Values Coalition*

Patricia Ruiz-Cantu RenaceUSA

Stephanie Summers CEO, Center for Public Justice

Rev. Dr. Walter Kim President, National Association of Evangelicals

Zakiya Jackson President, The Expectations Project