Lawmakers push pause on AI datacenters to craft safeguards and shield communities

Sen. Bernie Sanders and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez unveiled a bill to ban new AI datacenter construction until comprehensive federal safeguards are in place, citing climate, energy costs, privacy and worker impacts; the proposal would also bar the export of AI hardware to countries without protections, with a House companion bill to follow. The move follows growing public concern and local moratoria, though passage in a polarized Congress remains uncertain.