A U.S. Senate Democrat blocks passage of a bill over electricity pricing impacts tied to data centers, halting an effort to move it forward by unanimous consent after it passed the House. Sen. Martin Heinrich (D–N.M.) stops Sen. Jon Husted’s (R–Ohio) bid to unanimously approve the proposal, the Ratepayer Protection Act.
The measure would require states to consider whether technology companies should cover costs associated with data centers’ effects on electricity prices. The House had approved the bill by a wide margin, but the Senate action turns on Heinrich’s objection. According to reporting, Heinrich argues against the bill proceeding without further consideration.
The two outlets agree on the central sequence: the bill clears the House, is brought to the Senate floor for unanimous consideration, and is blocked by Heinrich. They differ only in emphasis, with one outlet adding detail about the blocking rationale, while the other focuses on the procedural halt despite the House’s strong support.
