US lawmakers push for pause in data centres until AI safeguards in place

Senator Bernie Sanders and Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, two prominent progressive lawmakers, have unveiled federal legislation calling for a nationwide moratorium on the construction of new AI data centers. The proposed bill aims to halt development until comprehensive national safeguards are enacted to address potential threats to workers' livelihoods, civil liberties, and environmental integrity. Sanders, an independent representing Vermont, emphasized the urgent need for democratic oversight, stating that lawmakers are "way behind" in understanding AI's implications and asserting that "Big Tech oligarchs" should not solely dictate its future. Ocasio-Cortez, a New York Democrat, highlighted existing harms, including mass surveillance and the proliferation of deepfakes, underscoring Congress's "moral obligation" to prevent further expansion without proper regulation. This legislative push comes amidst increasing grassroots opposition across the U.S. to data centers, primarily fueled by concerns over their substantial consumption of water and and electricity. A report by Data Center Watch, a 10a Labs research project, indicates that 36 data centers were blocked or delayed between May 2024 and June 2025, representing $162 billion in disrupted investment. This opposition spans both Republican and Democratic-led states like Virginia, Minnesota, Indiana, Missouri, and Oregon. Despite growing public concern, with an NBC News poll showing 57 percent of registered US voters believing AI risks outweigh benefits, the Sanders-Ocasio-Cortez bill faces significant challenges in Congress, where Republicans hold a majority. Even within the Democratic party, there's division; Senator John Fetterman of Pennsylvania dismissed the moratorium as "China First," advocating for US leadership in AI development with appropriate guardrails. The Trump administration previously released a national AI framework that prioritized innovation and accelerated deployment while recommending measures for child protection and electricity price control, contrasting with the proposed moratorium.