Artificial Intelligence1 min read

Top Democrats call to rein in AI buildout after midterms sweep: 'National data center moratorium now'

By · Published by Everything Blog

In short

Lawmakers including Senator Bernie Sanders and Representative Greg Casar want a halt to data center construction prioritized as soon as the new Democratic majority takes office. A CNBC Voter Poll revealed that 56% of voters considered artificial intelligence and data centers a critical factor in their election choices, with nearly two-thirds of that group favoring Democrats. State leaders like Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro and incoming Texas Governor Gina Hinojosa also plan executive actions to curb approvals. In response to potential regulatory disruptions, semiconductor equities tumbled, with Advanced Micro Devices dropping over 14%.

Key points

  • Democratic leaders are prioritizing day-one restrictions and moratoria on data center con…: Democratic leaders are prioritizing day-one restrictions and moratoria on data center construction following their midterm election victories.
  • Newly elected governors in Pennsylvania and Texas have pledged executive actions to halt…: Newly elected governors in Pennsylvania and Texas have pledged executive actions to halt or slow infrastructure approvals.
  • Tech and semiconductor stocks fell sharply as investors grew anxious over regulatory thre…: Tech and semiconductor stocks fell sharply as investors grew anxious over regulatory threats to ongoing artificial intelligence projects.

Sources checked by our analysis pipeline: 1

After a big win in the U.S. midterm elections on Tuesday, some Democrats are already signaling they want to take on the artificial build-out, specifically data centers.

In a post on X, Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., touted referendums across the U.S. on Tuesday where voters in localities approved restrictions on data centers. Sanders, who caucuses with the Democrats, said the message to political leaders is clear.

"National data center moratorium now," he wrote in the post. "Americans don't want Big Tech oligarchs wrecking the environment, gutting jobs and threatening humanity's future."

In another post on X, Rep. Yassamin Ansari, D-Ariz., wrote that pausing AI development needs to be a top priority for the large Democratic majority in the House on Day 1. Rep. Greg Casar, D-Texas, the chair of the Congressional Progressive Caucus, amplified the post and said, "Yes!"

According to the CNBC Voter Poll, 56% of voters said AI and data centers were a crucial or major factor in their decision at the ballot box. Of those voters, 65% said they cast a ballot for a Democratic candidate for…

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