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◆ Mixed look for SchumerEnvironment / Climate

Senate Democrats block data center bill, calling it 'toothless'

Schumer argued that the bill offered no required protections and called for stronger action on data centers.

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Outlet credibilityUnited Press International88/100 HIGH
This article1 analysis · Oct 3, 2026
tl;dr

The Senate failed to advance the Ratepayer Protection Act after a 57-43 procedural vote, short of the 60 votes needed to overcome a filibuster. Democrats called the bill inadequate because it would not require states to make data center developers pay for water and energy costs.

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17 VOTES
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Chuck Schumer D · NY · SEN
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People in this story

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Chuck Schumer
D · NY · SEN

Senate Minority Leader who criticized the bill

PRIMARY SUBJECT
Jon Husted
R · OH · SEN

Senator who led the Ratepayer Protection Act

Husted's version of this story ↗
Amy Klobuchar
D · MN · SEN

Senator who voted for the bill

Jon Ossoff
D · GA · SEN

Senator who voted for the bill

Raphael G. Warnock
D · GA · SEN

Senator who voted for the bill

Maggie Hassan
D · NH · SEN

Senator who voted for the bill

Sherrod Brown
Former U.S. Senator (D-OH)

Senate candidate and former Ohio lieutenant governor; previously criticized Husted over data centers

Part of a bigger story

15 OUTLETS
Schumer Opposes Data Center Bill as Senate Democrats Block Debate

Senate Democrats, led by Charles Schumer, blocked a procedural vote to advance the Ratepayer Protection Act, a measure addressing electricity costs tied to data centers. Across the spectrum, outlets report Schumer opposed the legislation as inadequate because its cost protections were voluntary. Left-leaning outlets emphasize Democratic arguments that the legislation provided weak, voluntary safeguards. Center outlets focus on the legislative standoff and the dispute over whether utility rules should be mandatory, with Roll Call detailing the stalled procedural vote. Right-leaning outlets argue Democrats blocked consumer energy relief for midterm political advantage.

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