AI framework sparks rift
The White House's new AI regulatory framework has exposed deep partisan splits and hasn't stopped states from racing ahead—more than 100 state measures have been adopted in the past year as local lawmakers fill the void (axios.com) (npr.org). Progressive lawmakers led by Bernie Sanders and Alexandria Ocasio‑Cortez are pushing a bill to pause new data‑center construction and urging colleagues to refuse AI firm donations, while advocates say the White House text leaves vulnerable groups—nurses, notably—out of critical protections, triggering protests (techradar.com) (nurse.org).
The White House published a four‑page "National Policy Framework for Artificial Intelligence" on March 20, 2026 that lists seven legislative priorities and urges Congress to adopt a single federal standard for AI. (whitehouse.gov) The National Conference of State Legislatures says 38 states adopted roughly 100 AI measures during the 2025 legislative session. (ncsl.org) MultiState reports roughly 1,200 AI bills were filed in 2025 and that, as of March 2026, lawmakers in 45 states had introduced about 1,561 AI‑related bills this year. (multistate.ai) Sen. Bernie Sanders and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio‑Cortez introduced the "Artificial Intelligence Data Center Moratorium Act" on March 25, 2026, which would pause construction and upgrades of AI data centers until Congress enacts nationwide safeguards. (sanders.senate.gov) Their office also said more than 100 local communities have enacted data‑center moratoriums and that 12 states are advancing statewide moratorium proposals. (sanders.senate.gov) The White House specifically called on Congress to streamline permitting so data centers can generate power on site and argued that ratepayers should not "foot the bill" for AI infrastructure. (whitehouse.gov) Industry groups pushed back: the Data Center Coalition warned a federal moratorium would risk rationing access to digital services and harm U.S. competitiveness, according to reporting in The Hill. (thehill.com) Sen. Marsha Blackburn circulated a rival federal AI discussion draft before the White House release as Senate Republicans compete to shape preemption language. (axios.com) House GOP leaders have also been shopping language to curb enforcement of state AI laws, including proposals to tuck such measures into major must‑pass bills, per Statescoop. (statescoop.com) Nursing organizations have been vocal about AI in health care: National Nurses United's survey found nurses say AI can undermine clinical judgment and patient safety, and the union announced it will join nationwide "No Kings" rallies on March 28, 2026. (nationalnursesunited.org) Legal and industry analysts note the framework is advisory, not law, and that any federal preemption or new mandates would require Congress to draft and pass legislation across multiple committees. (cooley.com)
