Casar has been on a media blitz pitching progressives’ AI proposals, which have ranged from a ban on AI superintelligence to a tax on the technology to pay for a jobs program that offsets related layoffs. Although House Democrats are still in the minority, there’s tremendous appetite in the caucus to drive forward on AI regulation next year if Democrats flip the chamber this fall.

That’s led to a series of parallel initiatives, including a bipartisan draft bill from Reps. Lori Trahan, D-Mass., and Jay Obernolte, R-Calif., as well as a Democratic-led commission of lawmakers that’s expected to put out its own proposals.

Casar said he interprets the current backlash against AI data center construction at the local level as “tremors of a bigger political earthquake coming” on the advanced technology. “When people start losing their jobs, I think there’s going to be even more pushback on this from Democrats, Republicans, and independent voters,” he said.

Correction: A previous version of this article incorrectly identified Rep. Jay Obernolte.