Bill addresses data center power costs
Senate Republicans scheduled one of their final votes before the midterms on a bill addressing data centers and electricity costs. The measure would require utility regulators to consider a federal standard for large power customers. Their rates would cover system upgrades needed to serve them.
The House approved the proposal 417-3, but its path through the Senate remains uncertain. It needs 60 votes to advance, requiring support from at least seven Democrats. Republicans argue that the bill would encourage regulators to act on a growing public concern.
Democrats demand mandatory protections
Senate Democrats say the proposal is too weak because it only asks regulators to consider the standard. Democratic Sen. Martin Heinrich offered an alternative that would direct federal regulators to issue rules. Those rules would require large electricity customers to pay for necessary grid improvements.
Meanwhile, Republican leaders are portraying Democratic resistance as obstruction on issues important to voters. They also scheduled a procedural vote on a bill restricting individual stock purchases by members of Congress. Democrats oppose voter identification provisions included in that measure.
Data centers become a major campaign issue
Public concern has grown even as President Donald Trump supports constructing more data centers. About six in ten Americans favor limiting new facilities. Most respondents also express serious concern about their effects on electricity prices and local water supplies.
Ohio has become central to the debate because it hosts many data centers and has competitive statewide races. Republican Sen. Jon Husted sponsored the bill while facing Democrat Sherrod Brown. Husted previously promoted Ohio as a data center destination, making the issue especially important to his reelection campaign.
References
Freking, K. (2026, September 30). Republicans tee up bill on data centers for one of the final votes before the midterms. AP News. https://apnews.com/article/congress-data-centers-trust-husted-1e92cea86041e06e13853705319a7868