Sanders and Ocasio-Cortez Introduce AI Data Center Moratorium Act
On March 25, 2026, Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) announced the Artificial Intelligence (AI) Data Center Moratorium Act, legislation that would enact an immediate federal moratorium on new AI data centers until strong national safeguards are in place for safety, worker protections, energy use, environmental impact, and public oversight.
TLDR
The bill would pause development of large-scale AI data centers to allow Congress and the public to catch up with the rapid pace of AI advancement. It institutes a moratorium until safeguards ensure AI is safe and effective, economic gains benefit workers not just Big Tech oligarchs, AI does not inflate electricity prices or harm communities and the environment, and exports of AI computing infrastructure go only to countries with similar safeguards.
Key Provisions
The AI Data Center Moratorium Act of 2026 would:
- Institute an immediate federal moratorium on the construction or expansion of AI data centers (those with significant power demand) until national safeguards are enacted.
- Require safeguards addressing AI safety and effectiveness, worker protections and economic benefits, environmental and energy impacts, privacy and civil rights, and democratic oversight.
- Include provisions to restrict U.S. exports of AI computing infrastructure to countries lacking comparable safeguards.
- Respond to the absence of federal legislation, amid local and state actions (over 100 communities have enacted moratoriums).
Quotes and Context
Sen. Sanders: “AI and robotics are creating the most sweeping technological revolution in the history of humanity. ... We cannot sit back and allow a handful of billionaire Big Tech oligarchs to make decisions that will reshape our economy, our democracy and the future of humanity. We need serious public debate and democratic oversight. ... We need a federal moratorium on AI data centers.”
Rep. Ocasio-Cortez: “We have seen ICE partner with AI companies to surveil Americans, social media users employ AI bots to create sexually explicit deepfakes of women and children, and data center construction inflate electric bills in communities across the country. ... Congress has a moral obligation to stand with the American people and stop the expansion of these data centers until we have a framework to adequately address the existential harm AI poses to our society. We must choose humanity over profit.”
The announcement references calls from over 1,000 industry leaders and scientists (including Musk, Bengio, Russell) for pauses, and statements from Musk, Hassabis, and Amodei supporting slowdowns if others do the same.
Why this story matters
As AI data center construction accelerates—driving energy demand, local opposition, and geopolitical concerns—this bill represents a major push for democratic oversight and a pause to address safety, labor, environmental, and societal risks before irreversible scaling. It builds on growing local/state moratoriums and highlights tensions between rapid AI deployment and public interest.
Sources
- Sen. Bernie Sanders press release: “NEWS: Sanders, Ocasio-Cortez Announce AI Data Center Moratorium Act” (March 25, 2026). https://www.sanders.senate.gov/press-releases/news-sanders-ocasio-cortez-announce-ai-data-center-moratorium-act/
- Bill text and section-by-section summary (linked in release).
- Coverage noting over 100 local moratoriums and state proposals.
Featured Image Alt Text
U.S. Capitol with data center and AI icons, symbolizing the proposed moratorium on AI infrastructure development
Tags
Sanders, Ocasio-Cortez, AI Data Center Moratorium Act, Regulation, Data Centers, Policy, AI Safety, Energy