Harrigan, Weisiges Stress Local Control After Presidents Post Backing Data Centers

Moderator asked members of Congress about a recent post by the president on True Social that, according to the moderator, said communities opposing data centers would risk being "backwards and poor." Congressman Harrigan responded that the presidents framing is "a little counterproductive" and that elected representatives must inform constituents about both opportunities and constraints.

"I do believe it is our responsibility as representatives, to inform our constituencies, to tell them the truth, to have honest discussions about what are the advantages, what are the opportunities, and what are the limitations and constraints and consequences of those, and allow our constituencies to make those decisions for themselves," Harrigan said.

Congressman Weisiges said he disagreed with the president and urged centering residents' concerns about concrete local impacts such as energy and water use. "They are very worried about the price of their electricity, and they're worried about the huge growth in energy usage by these data centers," Weisiges said, adding that water scarcity and noise or other pollution are also real community issues.

Both members framed the debate as a balance between national economic or defense considerations and local impacts that can vary community by community. Neither lawmaker described a formal federal action taken in the hearing; the exchange focused on public messaging and the responsibilities of representatives and local decision-makers.