Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY)
Artificial Intelligence Data Center Moratorium Act
A Democratic bill with 20 Democratic cosponsors · See all 20 cosponsors
Last activity — Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committee on Foreign Affairs, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
In committee
Introduced and handed to a committee in the chamber it started in.
The committee holds it, and most bills are never heard from again. A hearing or a committee vote would be news; silence is the usual outcome, and it kills the bill without anyone voting against it.
Its path through Congress
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
H.R. 9442, known as the Artificial Intelligence Data Center Moratorium Act, stops the building or upgrading of new artificial intelligence data centers across the United States. This pause stays in place until new laws are passed that protect the public from the dangers of artificial intelligence. The bill includes findings from industry experts and tech leaders warning about job losses and safety risks tied to artificial intelligence development. It also requires the Secretary of Energy to submit quarterly reports to Congress detailing the operations, resource usage, and labor conditions of these data centers. Additionally, the legislation places export controls on specific computing hardware to prevent its use in foreign data centers unless comparable laws are in place.
Yes· 3 of 14
- Scored +9
Would union members be better off under this?
The bill mandates the creation of union jobs with strong labor standards and prevailing wages.
- Scored +8
Does this put more rules on large technology companies?
The bill imposes a significant moratorium and requires federal oversight of AI product safety and social impacts.
- Scored +7
Does this give the federal government more power?
The bill significantly expands federal oversight of AI products and data center development.
The opposite· 3 of 8
- Scored -8
Would people with substantial wealth be better off under this?
The bill specifically aims to prevent the concentration of wealth among Big Tech owners.
- Scored -8
Would the very wealthiest people be better off under this?
The bill's provisions target the extreme wealth of leaders like Elon Musk and Jeff Bezos.
- Scored -8
Would billionaires be better off under this?
The bill's economic and regulatory goals are directly opposed to the unhindered growth of billionaire-led AI projects.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Protection from Utility Bill Increases: Under Section 3(b)(1)(C)(i), any future data center built after the moratorium ends must not increase the utility or electricity bills of regular consumers, which protects everyday people from paying higher energy costs.
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Environmental and Climate Protection: According to Section 3(b)(1)(C)(ii), future data centers must not make the threat of climate change worse or harm the environment, keeping local communities safer from pollution and ecological damage.
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Local Community Approval: Section 3(b)(1)(C)(iii) empowers communities affected by a proposed data center to approve or reject its construction or upgrading, giving local residents a direct say in what happens in their neighborhoods.
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Ban on Government Subsidies: Under Section 3(b)(1)(C)(iv), no government subsidies can be provided for building, upgrading, or operating these future data centers, ensuring that taxpayer dollars are not used to support these massive tech facilities.
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Good Union Jobs: Section 3(b)(1)(C)(v) requires that future data centers create union jobs with strong labor standards, including the payment of prevailing wages and the use of registered apprenticeship programs and project labor agreements.
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- Halt on Tech Infrastructure and Associated Growth: Under Section 3(b), the complete moratorium on constructing or upgrading artificial intelligence data centers could delay technological progress and halt local economic investments tied to these large construction projects until new federal laws are enacted.
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Tap or hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Would union members be better off under this? — The bill mandates the creation of union jobs with strong labor standards and prevailing wages. Would households on low incomes be better off under this? — The bill protects utility bills and aims to ensure economic gains are shared with workers. Would middle-income households be better off under this? — The bill seeks to prevent job displacement and utility cost increases. Would billionaires be better off under this? — The bill's economic and regulatory goals are directly opposed to the unhindered growth of billionaire-led AI projects. Would people with substantial wealth be better off under this? — The bill specifically aims to prevent the concentration of wealth among Big Tech owners. Would the very wealthiest people be better off under this? — The bill's provisions target the extreme wealth of leaders like Elon Musk and Jeff Bezos. Would business owners be better off under this? — The moratorium and export controls impose significant restrictions on the AI industry. Would high-income households be better off under this? — The bill targets the wealth of Big Tech and restricts the rapid growth of the AI sector.
- Governance And Ideology
- Does this give the federal government more power? — The bill significantly expands federal oversight of AI products and data center development. Does this protect people from being watched or searched? — The bill includes provisions to protect the privacy of citizens from AI-driven threats. Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see? — The bill mandates quarterly public reports on data center environmental and labor impacts.
- Economy And Finance
- Does this strengthen the rights of workers to organise? — The bill mandates that new data centers create union jobs with strong labor standards and prevailing wages. Does this give people more protection from unfair business practices? — The bill seeks to prevent AI data centers from increasing consumer utility and electricity bills. Does this reduce what the federal government spends? — The bill prohibits government subsidies for the construction or operation of new AI data centers. Is this likely to create jobs? — The bill aims to protect existing jobs from AI-driven displacement and promotes union job creation. Is this likely to grow the economy? — A moratorium on data center construction may slow the technological and economic expansion of the AI sector.
- Education And Technology
- Does this put more rules on large technology companies? — The bill imposes a significant moratorium and requires federal oversight of AI product safety and social impacts. Does this give people more control over their personal data? — The bill mandates federal reviews to ensure AI products do not threaten privacy.
- Environment Energy And Infrastructure
- Does this better protect air, water and wildlife? — The bill requires mandatory reporting on greenhouse gas emissions and water usage for data centers. Does this cut the pollution that drives climate change? — The bill aims to ensure data centers do not exacerbate climate change or harm the environment.
- National Security And Foreign Policy
- Does this make trade with other countries easier? — The bill imposes strict export controls on computing hardware, which could restrict international trade. Does this give the government more power to monitor people inside the country? — The bill's focus on regulating AI may indirectly address concerns of a surveillance state, but doesn't directly increase surveillance.
- 10/15/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 10/5/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 9/21/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 9/17/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 9/15/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 9/14/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 8/27/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 7/22/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 7/21/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 7/13/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 6/29/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 6/24/2026
- Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committee on Foreign Affairs, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
- 9 Cosponsors added.
- Introduced in House
One bill Congress.gov lists as related to this one — companions in the other chamber, earlier versions, and bills this one absorbed or was folded into.
Steve CohenDemocrat · Tennessee
André CarsonDemocrat · Indiana
Greg CasarDemocrat · Texas
Mark DeSaulnierDemocrat · California
Maxwell FrostDemocrat · Florida
Shomari FiguresDemocrat · Alabama
Jesús GarcíaDemocrat · Illinois
Daniel GoldmanDemocrat · New York
Adelita GrijalvaDemocrat · Arizona
Jared HuffmanDemocrat · California
Summer LeeDemocrat · Pennsylvania
James McGovernDemocrat · Massachusetts
Kweisi MfumeDemocrat · Maryland
LaMonica McIverDemocrat · New Jersey
Analilia MejiaDemocrat · New Jersey
Chellie PingreeDemocrat · Maine
Terri SewellDemocrat · Alabama
Rashida TlaibDemocrat · Michigan
Maxine WatersDemocrat · California
Bonnie Watson ColemanDemocrat · New Jersey