Sanders and AOC Propose Moratorium on US Data Center Construction

New bill aims to slow AI development and allow for more government oversight

Mar. 27, 2026 at 1:05pm

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U.S. Senator Bernie Sanders (I-VT) and Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) have introduced the Artificial Intelligence Data Center Moratorium Act (2026), which would ban new data center construction and upgrades across the country. The purpose is to allow the U.S. government to catch up on regulating AI technology, which the lawmakers argue has already led to job losses and poses risks around surveillance, misinformation, and environmental impacts.

Why it matters

The proposed moratorium reflects growing concerns among policymakers about the rapid development of AI and its potential societal impacts. By slowing down data center construction, the bill aims to give the government more time to establish guardrails around AI before the technology becomes too entrenched.

The details

The bill would prevent any future data center buildouts or expansions until certain conditions are met related to privacy, civil rights, the economy, the environment, and communities. Sanders and Ocasio-Cortez cite concerns from tech leaders like Bill Gates, Jeff Bezos, and Elon Musk about the risks of unchecked AI development, including mass unemployment and potential existential threats to humanity.

  • The Artificial Intelligence Data Center Moratorium Act (2026) was introduced in March 2026.

The players

Bernie Sanders

U.S. Senator from Vermont and a member of the Democratic party.

Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez

U.S. Representative from New York's 14th congressional district and a member of the Democratic party.

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What they’re saying

“This bill will stop a global race to see which country is the first to eliminate hundreds of millions of jobs, or the first to build an AI that destroys the planet.”

— Bernie Sanders and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez

What’s next

The bill will now move through the legislative process, where it will need to be approved by committees and both chambers of Congress before being signed into law by the President.

The takeaway

The proposed moratorium on data center construction reflects growing political concerns about the rapid development of AI and its potential societal impacts. By slowing down this infrastructure, lawmakers hope to give the government more time to establish appropriate regulations and safeguards around the technology.