Fetterman Says Democratic AI Moratorium Push Is ‘Lunacy,’ ‘China-First’

The Pennsylvania Democrat criticized a Sanders-Ocasio-Cortez bill that would pause AI data center construction until federal safeguards are in place.

Sen. John Fetterman (D-Pa.) speaks to media on Capitol Hill in Washington on March 3, 2026. Madalina Kilroy/The Epoch Times

Sen. John Fetterman (D-Pa.) on Wednesday called Democratic opposition to artificial intelligence and data center construction “lunacy” and “a China-first kind of a policy in our nation,” in the latest in a series of public breaks with the progressive wing of his party.

“I'll be the one Democrat to just stand up and say that’s ridiculous,” Fetterman said in a Fox News interview. “You know, we have to be the people that build the chassis of AI.”