Republicans push Senate vote on Husted data center bill before midterm recess
Sen. Moreno wants the chamber to stay in session to force a roll call on the Ratepayer Protection Act after Heinrich blocked it.
What to know
- Republicans are pushing to extend the Senate session past next week to force a vote on Husted's data center bill after Democrat Martin Heinrich blocked it, with Moreno demanding a roll call to put opponents on record.
- The bill centers on whether data centers should pay for power grid connections voluntarily (Husted's approach) or mandatorily (Heinrich's counter-proposal), with Democrats calling the Republican version insufficient.
- The timing pits legislative ambition against campaign needs: Republicans in tough races want to break early for midterms, while Husted argues a data center deal could prove Republican responsiveness to voter concerns about electricity costs.
“I have heard a lot of support from my colleagues about getting it done. I hope we give [Democrats] another chance to get it right.”
Jon Husted, Senator, R-Ohio · Semafor ↗ · Sep 23
Jon Husted Senator, R-Ohio; bill sponsor
Bernie Moreno Senator, R-Ohio
Martin Heinrich Senator, D-N.M.
John Thune Senate Majority Leader, R-S.D.
Chuck Schumer Senate Minority Leader, D-N.Y.
How it unfolded 3 developments, newest first · click a bar or a number to jump articlesposts
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Thune signals no imminent decision on Senate schedule
Senate Majority Leader John Thune acknowledged significant interest in passing Husted's bill but gave no firm guidance, telling reporters 'Don't make any plans yet' as the chamber weighs extending the session or breaking early for midterm campaigns.
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🟡 NEW: Some Republicans push to prioritize Husted data center bill
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Husted appeals to Democrats, cites voter support for data center cost-sharing
Husted told Semafor he has heard broad colleague support and hopes to give Democrats 'another chance to get it right.' He emphasized voter backing for data centers covering their own costs to avoid raising electricity prices.
“Voters overwhelmingly support the idea of data centers paying their own way, so that they don't run the risk of having to pay higher electricity prices as a result.”
— Jon Husted -
Exclusive: Some Republicans push to prioritize Husted data center bill https://www. semafor.com/article/09/24/2026 /some-republicans-push-to-prioritize-husted-data-center-bill?utm_source=flipboard&utm_medium=activitypub Posted into Semafor @ semafor-Semafor
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Moreno calls for Senate vote, demands roll call record
Sen. Bernie Moreno told Semafor the Senate should stay in session for a roll call vote on Husted's bill, characterizing Democratic opposition as hiding behind Heinrich. Moreno wants to put opponents on record.
“Absolutely, 100%, they all hide behind Martin now, like it's one Democrat. We need to put them on the record.”
— Bernie Moreno -
background
Heinrich blocks Husted data center bill in Senate — Sen. Martin Heinrich, D-N.M., blocked the Ratepayer Protection Act, which had passed the House overwhelmingly. Heinrich offered his own alternative, the GRID Savings Act, requiring data centers to pay for power grid connections on a mandatory basis rather than voluntary.
Also covered reported alongside — the timeline has no entry for these yet
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first by Semafor, 2d ago · also Yahoo