Republican Senator Wants to Freeze AI Data Center Boom as Congress Pushes to Expand It

What happened: Republican Senator Josh Hawley called for a nationwide data center moratorium until Congress passes consumer rate protections. The Senate voted 73-25 to advance debate on a bipartisan bill that speeds energy permits and makes data centers cover added grid costs. Key numbers: Senate vote 73-25 on Monday. U.S. Why it matters: Hawley has not introduced detailed moratorium legislation, and his call does not freeze any project. BlackRock CEO Larry Fink warned a construction moratorium could trigger a recession because so much investment depends on AI infrastructure.

Republican Senator Josh Hawley called for a nationwide data center moratorium until Congress passes consumer rate protections. The Senate voted 73-25 to advance debate on a bipartisan bill that speeds energy permits and makes data centers cover added grid costs.

Hawley has not introduced detailed moratorium legislation, and his call does not freeze any project. BlackRock CEO Larry Fink warned a construction moratorium could trigger a recession because so much investment depends on AI infrastructure.