Senate Fight Over AI Data Center Bill Highlights Ohio Race

Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer is moving to block the Ratepayer Protection Act, a bill sponsored by Republican Sen. Jon Husted that would set a federal standard for AI-driven data centers and require states to consider it when regulating local facilities. Senate Majority Leader John Thune is expected to file a cloture motion, which would trigger the first procedural vote on the measure this week. Schumer has called the proposal a “fraud” and is urging his caucus to reject it, arguing that the bill’s voluntary framework does not compel data centers to cover the full cost of the electricity they consume.

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The legislation has become a focal point in the Ohio Senate race. Former Sen. Sherrod Brown is using Husted’s support for the bill as a central campaign theme, portraying the Republican incumbent as “the face of data centers” who offers “sweetheart tax deals.” A YouGov poll of 1,000 likely Ohio voters conducted earlier this month found that 75 % oppose the construction of data centers in their communities, and 47 % say a candidate’s stance on the issue is extremely or very important to their vote. Brown has spent more than $430,000 on online ads that highlight the data-center debate.

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• Schumer dismissed the bill as a “fraud” and is seeking to prevent it from advancing.

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• Ranking member Sen. Martin Heinrich (D-NM) warned that the act would not require data centers to pay the full energy cost they impose.

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• Sen. Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) called the bill a “tiny step forward” but urged Democrats to vote for debate and seek amendments, while promoting his own Power for the People Act to create separate electricity rate classes for data centers.

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• Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) suggested a broader permitting reform that would require large-load customers to cover grid costs, noting the Senate’s pre-election recess may delay legislative language.

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• Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) declined comment, and Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) said he has not yet read the bill.

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• “It seems like it’s kind of a political bailout,” — Democratic Sen. Tina Smith

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• “Many states have already said they want to protect ratepayers by making data centers pay for their own electricity grid and production—and his bill does just that,” — Olivia Tripodi, a spokesperson for Husted

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• “My view is that this is a tiny step forward, but we shouldn’t miss this opportunity to strengthen it,” — Democratic Sen. Chris Van

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• “And if Senate Democrats want to be the lone obstacle to passage, then shame on them,” — Republican Sen. Jon Husted, spokesperson

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