Senate Democrats block House-passed data center bill aimed at addressing energy costs

Updated on: September 30, 2026 / 1:51 PM EDT / CBS News

Washington — Senate Democrats on Wednesday blocked a GOP-led effort to advance a bill aimed at shielding Americans from energy costs attributed to data centers, despite the bill securing widespread bipartisan support in the House earlier this month.

In a 57 to 43 vote, all but four Democrats — Sens. Maggie Hassan of New Hampshire, Amy Klobuchar of Minnesota and Jon Ossoff and Raphael Warnock of Georgia — opposed the measure, arguing that the bill would make the protections for Americans "optional."

"While Americans are demanding real guardrails on AI and data centers, Republicans are offering a toothless messaging bill," Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer said. "We need real action on data centers, and what do Republicans decide all of a sudden to push forward? A bill that is totally optional."

The outcome denies Republicans a legislative victory just weeks before the midterm elections. Voters across the U.S. have become increasingly opposed to the construction of data centers, which provide the computing power needed to fuel the AI boom. But Republicans argued that the vote would put Democrats on the record on the issue that has gained traction…

Original source: https://www.cbsnews.com/entertainment/