{"id":2647561,"date":"2026-08-20T19:58:02","date_gmt":"2026-08-20T23:58:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/mike-rogers-backs-data-center-moratorium-as-gop-shifts-on-ai\/"},"modified":"2026-08-20T20:00:09","modified_gmt":"2026-08-21T00:00:09","slug":"mike-rogers-backs-data-center-moratorium-as-gop-shifts-on-ai","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/mike-rogers-backs-data-center-moratorium-as-gop-shifts-on-ai\/","title":{"rendered":"Mike Rogers backs data center moratorium as GOP shifts on AI"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"&quot;\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">22<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Fmike-rogers-backs-data-center-moratorium-as-gop-shifts-on-ai%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2647561&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><p>Michigan\u2019s republican Senate candidate,Mike Rogers,supports a one-year moratorium on new data center expansion in the state,citing concerns over AI infrastructure growth and calling for federal regulations-position echoed by some other politicians across party lines. The debate over data centers is a key issue in the 2026 elections, particularly in the midwest, due to worries about their impact on power and water supplies, and also their role in the global AI race against China. Democratic candidate Abdul el Sayed has advocated halting progress until federal rules are established. The topic has become politically divisive, with some Republicans taking an increasingly critical stance on data centers as election season approaches, and public support for AI hubs declining. The michigan Senate race between Rogers and el Sayed is expected to be highly competitive, with the outcome closely watched.  <\/p>\n<p class=\"readmore\">\n    <button onclick=\"showReadMore()\" id=\"readmorebtn\">Read more&#8230;<\/button>\n<\/p>\n<hr id=\"line\">\n<span id=\"more\"><\/p>\n<article class=\"fn-body\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/michigan\/\" data-type=\"post_tag\" data-id=\"655\">Michigan<\/a>\u2018s Republican Senate candidate <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/mike-rogers\/\" data-type=\"post_tag\" data-id=\"1022\">Mike Rogers<\/a> backed the prospect of a <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/data-centers\/\" data-type=\"post_tag\" data-id=\"22166\">data center<\/a> moratorium in the Wolverine State, becoming the latest GOP politician to criticize the rapid spread of <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/artificial-intelligence\/\">AI<\/a> infrastructure ahead of the 2026 <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/midterm-elections\/\" data-type=\"post_tag\" data-id=\"308\">midterm elections<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cI think we need to take a pause, probably, and make sure that we\u2019re answering all the questions that people have,\u201d Rogers said on Thursday in response to a question about his thoughts on data centers.<\/p>\n<section class=\"explore-more-section\" id=\"wex-recommended-widget\">\n<div class=\"magazine-container single\">\n<h1 class=\"magazine-title mt-2\">Recommended Stories<\/h1>\n<p>             <i class=\"fa-solid fa-play icon\"><\/i>         <\/div>\n<div class=\"explore-grid\">\n<div class=\"explore-card\">                         <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/congressional\/4695391\/mike-rogers-data-center-moratorium\/?itm_source=parsely-api\">                             <\/p>\n<div class=\"explore-thumb-wrap\">                                                                                                                                  <\/div>\n<h3>Mike Rogers backs data center moratorium as some GOP candidates shift against AI<\/h3>\n<p>                         <\/a>                     <\/div>\n<div class=\"explore-card\">                         <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/congressional\/4695482\/aisha-wahab-election-victory-aipac\/?itm_source=parsely-api\">                             <\/p>\n<div class=\"explore-thumb-wrap\">                                                                                                                                  <\/div>\n<h3>Aisha Wahab wins California House special election in defiance of AIPAC money flood<\/h3>\n<p>                         <\/a>                     <\/div>\n<div class=\"explore-card\">                         <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/congressional\/4694907\/house-republican-campaign-arm-posts-best-year-to-date-fundraising\/?itm_source=parsely-api\">                             <\/p>\n<div class=\"explore-thumb-wrap\">                                                                                                                                  <\/div>\n<h3>House Republican campaign arm posts best year-to-date fundraising haul in committee history<\/h3>\n<p>                         <\/a>                     <\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/section>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The former congressman then <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.detroitnews.com\/story\/news\/politics\/2026\/08\/20\/data-center-politics-michigan-senate-mike-rogers-abdul-el-sayed\/91385736007\/?gnt-cfr=1&#038;gca-cat=p&#038;gca-uir=true&#038;gca-epti=z117652p119650l117450c119650e1118xxv117652d--62--b--62--&#038;gca-ft=178&#038;gca-ds=sophi\">told<\/a> the <em>Detroit News<\/em> that he supports a full, <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.detroitnews.com\/story\/news\/politics\/2026\/08\/20\/data-center-politics-michigan-senate-mike-rogers-abdul-el-sayed\/91385736007\/?gnt-cfr=1&#038;gca-cat=p&#038;gca-uir=true&#038;gca-epti=z117652p119650l117450c119650e1118xxv117652d--62--b--62--&#038;gca-ft=178&#038;gca-ds=sophi\">one-year moratorium<\/a> on new data center expansion in Michigan, throwing his support behind a policy that has been backed by several politicians on both sides of the aisle, but also lamented by many officials in favor of AI development. Gov. <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/kathy-hochul\/\" data-type=\"post_tag\" data-id=\"3278\">Kathy Hochul<\/a> (D-NY) made <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/new-york\/\" data-type=\"post_tag\" data-id=\"61\">New York<\/a> the first state to implement a yearlong moratorium, aiming to curb the rapid expansion of data centers.<\/p>\n<div class=\"wex-inarticle-ad wex-inarticle-ad-art-dsk-inart-1\">\n<div class=\"wex-ad-wrap wex-ad-art-dsk-inart-1\" style=\"min-height:90px\"><span class=\"wex-ad-label\" hidden>Advertisement<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"div-gpt-ad-3182201-15\" data-wex-ad=\"art-dsk-inart-1\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"article-paywall\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Data centers have become a focal point of the <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/2026-election\/\" data-type=\"post_tag\" data-id=\"11675\">2026 election<\/a> cycle, as voters voice concerns about the impacts the structures may have on their power grids and local water supply. At the same time, the domestic AI industry has emphasized the importance of data center expansion as the United States competes with <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/china\/\" data-type=\"post_tag\" data-id=\"232\">China<\/a> in the global AI race.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The push-and-pull over data centers has made it one of the most divisive issues of the midterm elections, especially in Midwestern states that have seen multiple industries dramatically change the region and its local workforce.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In Michigan, Democratic Senate candidate <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/abdul-el-sayed\/\" data-type=\"post_tag\" data-id=\"23138\">Abdul el Sayed<\/a> has called for a halt on data center development until the federal government adopts new regulations on the matter. He has <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/abdulforsenate.com\/2026\/01\/datacenters\/\">outlined<\/a> his own \u201cterms of engagement\u201d for data centers to follow and <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/abdulforsenate.com\/2026\/07\/icymi-dr-abdul-el-sayed-joins-press-conference-at-the-barn-data-center-in-saline\/\">said<\/a> in late July, \u201cUntil we have those terms of engagement at the federal level, I stand with local and state elected officials saying that we cannot approve any more of these until we have federal-level guardrails.\u201d<\/p>\n<div class=\"wex-inarticle-ad wex-inarticle-ad-art-dsk-inart-2\">\n<div class=\"wex-ad-wrap wex-ad-art-dsk-inart-2\" style=\"min-height:90px\"><span class=\"wex-ad-label\" hidden>Advertisement<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"div-gpt-ad-3182201-16\" data-wex-ad=\"art-dsk-inart-2\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Rogers and el Sayed are locked in for what is expected to be a neck and neck race to fill retiring Sen. <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/gary-peters\/\" data-type=\"post_tag\" data-id=\"1182\">Gary Peters<\/a>\u2018s (D-MI) seat. Election forecasters have labeled the seat a<a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.cookpolitical.com\/senate\/race\/488606\"> toss-up<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/policy\/technology\/4692439\/republicans-turn-data-center-midterm\/\">REPUBLICANS START TO TURN ON DATA CENTERS AS MIDTERM ELECTIONS APPROACH<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A <em>Politico<\/em>\/Public First poll from July told a <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/policy\/technology\/4656664\/democrats-lead-opposition-data-centers-artificial-intelligence-poll\/\">grim story for data centers\u2019 public perception<\/a>, with support for the AI hubs dropping across the board, particularly among Democrats. According to a memo obtained by <em>Axios<\/em>, the National Republican Senatorial Committee has <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/policy\/technology\/4692439\/republicans-turn-data-center-midterm\/\">caught wind of these trends<\/a>, warning AI companies that data centers have been dropping in popularity and Democrats have been campaigning on this.<\/p>\n<div class=\"wex-inarticle-ad wex-inarticle-ad-art-dsk-inart-3\">\n<div class=\"wex-ad-wrap wex-ad-art-dsk-inart-3\" style=\"min-height:90px\"><span class=\"wex-ad-label\" hidden>Advertisement<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"div-gpt-ad-3182201-17\" data-wex-ad=\"art-dsk-inart-3\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Rep. Tom Tiffany (R-WI), Wisconsin\u2019s Republican nominee for governor, has also delved into anti-data center rhetoric spreading among Midwestern Republicans, centering his first general election <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=VJSzLmury6Y\">campaign ad<\/a> on the topic. In the video, he calls his Democratic opponent David Crowley \u201cData Center David Crowley.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Mike Rogers supports Michigan data center moratorium before 2026 elections<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3976,"featured_media":2647562,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/AP26208643978073.jpg?w=696","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[],"tags":[63768,63631,84470,37696,19051],"class_list":["post-2647561","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","tag-ai-policy","tag-data-center","tag-gop-shift","tag-mike-rogers","tag-moratorium"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/AP26208643978073.jpg?w=696","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2647561","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3976"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2647561"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2647561\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2647564,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2647561\/revisions\/2647564"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2647562"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2647561"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2647561"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2647561"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}