Lawmakers push for a halt on AI data centers amid concerns over societal impacts.
US Senator Bernie Sanders and Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez introduced legislation on March 26, 2026, to impose a moratorium on new AI data centers. The bill aims to halt construction until federal safeguards protect workers' livelihoods, civil liberties, and the environment.
Reasons for the Moratorium
Sanders, an independent from Vermont, stated that lawmakers are behind in understanding AI and warned against allowing a few Big Tech oligarchs to control decisions affecting the economy, democracy, and humanity. He emphasized the need for public debate and democratic oversight on this issue.
Ocasio-Cortez, a Democrat from New York, highlighted existing harms from unregulated AI, including mass government surveillance and the spread of sexually explicit deepfakes involving women and children. She argued that Congress must act to prevent existential threats to society and prioritize humanity over profit.
The proposal comes amid growing opposition to data centers in the US, with at least 36 projects blocked or delayed between May 2024 and June 2025, according to Data Center Watch. These delays, totaling $162 billion in investment, stem from concerns about high electricity and water consumption affecting local communities.
A recent NBC News poll showed that 57 percent of registered US voters believe AI risks outweigh benefits, with only 26 percent holding positive views. However, the bill faces challenges in Congress, where Republicans control both chambers and some Democrats, like Senator John Fetterman, oppose it, calling it 'China First' and advocating for US leadership in AI.
The Trump administration released a national AI framework last week, recommending measures to boost innovation while addressing electricity prices and intellectual property, but it contrasts with the Sanders-Ocasio-Cortez approach by favoring lighter regulation.
