Congress kicks against Trump admin plan to build AI data centers on military bases

Democratic and Republican lawmakers have banded together in a rare bipartisan push to oppose the Pentagon’s plan to open up military land for private companies to build AI data centers. 

The effort to plant roadblocks all over the Trump admin proposition cites concerns touching on how much power and water data center facilities pull from grids and reservoirs, which inadvertently become a strain on the communities that depend on that infrastructure.

Despite the scrutiny, the Army is already moving ahead with the first two deals from the plan. The Air Force is also already reportedly shopping unengaged land at many of its installations.

What does Congress want from the Trump admin?

Congress is pushing multiple angles in its opposition of the Pentagon’s plan to install data centers on federal land, ranging from amendments, studies, briefings and, in at least one bill, an outright ban.

Speaking to reporters about whether data center plants belong on military installations, Rep. John Garamendi, a California Democrat and ranking member of the House Armed Services Readiness subcommittee, was noncommittal, saying, “may be yes, may be no.” His amendment was voted down in committee, according to reports.

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