Senator Jon Husted's Ratepayer Protection Act, which would shield families from paying for data-center electricity costs, was blocked from fast-track Senate passage on September 17.

Husted sought unanimous consent to pass the bill, but Senator Martin Heinrich objected, arguing it relied too heavily on voluntary commitments. The bill had already passed the House on September 16 by an overwhelming 417-3 bipartisan vote.

The legislation would require state utility regulators to consider standards ensuring large electricity users, such as data centers with demand of 100 megawatts or more, pay the full cost of new power infrastructure built to serve them.

The issue has become a campaign theme for Husted, who is locked in a close Ohio Senate race against former Senator Sherrod Brown. The Senate is expected to revisit the bill this week as AI-driven data-center demand keeps electricity costs in the spotlight.

Supporters of the bill say it is only fair that tech companies pay for the power they use. Opponents argue the issue is better left to state regulators and market deals.