AI / Data Centers
John Cornyn (R)
Cornyn co-sponsored the CREATE AI Act funding the National AI Research Resource (NAIRR) and the AI Risk Evaluation Act, framing AI policy as the next-generation national-security competition with China. He helped negotiate the CHIPS and Science Act, which directed billions to TSMC-Arizona and Samsung-Taylor and which he treats as one of his signature legacy accomplishments. He is a primary sponsor of legislation funding the Texas Semiconductor Innovation Consortium and has championed advanced-AI-chip export controls through his Senate Intelligence Committee work. He has been measured on the local data-center moratorium debate — supporting local property-rights deference while opposing state preemption of local rules. His framework treats AI infrastructure investment as bipartisan national-security policy, not a culture-war battlefield.
Ken Paxton (R)
As AG, Paxton built one of the country's most aggressive state tech-enforcement programs, securing a $1.4B Meta settlement on biometric data and $1.375B in Google settlements on geolocation and biometric data. He reached a first-of-kind generative AI settlement with healthcare-AI company Pieces Technologies over misleading accuracy claims and opened investigations into Character.AI, TikTok, Reddit, Instagram, and Discord. He has not taken a public position on whether federal law should preempt state AI regulation. Sen. Paul Bettencourt asked Paxton in May 2026 to investigate Texas counties (Hill, Hood) that passed data-center moratoriums, signaling a pro-development posture. His campaign issues page does not specifically address AI or data centers.
Sources
- Ken Paxton for U.S. Senate, official campaign issues page, accessed May 2026. (full list)
- Sen. John Cornyn, official Senate website and 2026 re-election campaign issues page, accessed May 2026 (cornyn.senate.gov; johncornyn.com). (full list)
- Gabby Birenbaum, 'On the issues: A Q&A with Ken Paxton and John Cornyn,' Texas Tribune, April 20, 2026. (full list)
- Texas Attorney General, 'Attorney General Ken Paxton Leads Nation in Protecting Americans' Data Privacy,' July 2025 (Meta $1.4B, Google $1.375B settlements; Character.AI investigation). (full list)
- Cornyn votes on Ukraine Supplemental Appropriations (April 2024, $61B package); Cornyn statements on Israel aid and Iron Dome funding; Senate Foreign Relations Committee record on NATO and AUKUS. (full list)