Sen. Husted bill to protect Americans from footing the bill for new data centers blocked from passage

WASHINGTON – Sen. Jon Husted (R-Ohio) today brought his Ratepayer Protection Act to the Senate floor, seeking its passage by unanimous consent – a process that expedites consideration of legislation in the United States Senate.

A Senate Democrat (Sen. Martin Heinrich, D-New Mexico) objected, blocking the bill from Senate passage.

The Ratepayer Protection Act would ensure American families and small businesses aren’t left paying for the energy infrastructure needed to support new data centers.

Husted introduced the bill on July 16, 2026.

The Ratepayer Protection Act passed the U.S. House of Representatives on Sept. 16, 2026, by an overwhelming, bipartisan vote of 417-3.

Key excerpts include:

“America is expected to build the equivalent of 1,000 major data centers during the next five years," Husted said. “You heard that correct. 1,000 data centers within the next five years, with more than 2,000 projects currently being proposed. And we need to protect American ratepayers from footing the bill.”

“So, as we look to build the future, we must follow some basic principles of fairness. The company that is creating enormous new demands for electricity should pay the costs required to serve them.”

“Working families, small businesses and senior citizens should not open up their electric bills and discover the pain for the power infrastructure needed by some large tech company in the world or in their neighborhood. That is the principle behind the Ratepayer Protection Act. When a very large electricity customer, such as the data center, connects to the grid, it can require investments in new generation transmission lines, substations and local distribution systems.

“The Ratepayer Protection Act would require state utility regulators to consider standards, ensuring that large load customers pay the full, incremental cost of the infrastructure needed to serve them.”

“In plain language, if you create the cost, you should pay the cost.”

“Data centers should only be located where communities want them.

“They can bring billions of dollars in private investment, construction work for electricians, pipe fitters, equipment operators and other skilled trades, as well as revenue for schools and local services. But those benefits should not come with a hidden charge of electric bills for families, farmers and small businesses.”