Senator Martin Heinrich of New Mexico blocked Ohio Senator Jon Husted from obtaining unanimous Senate approval for a bill that would prompt states to review whether technology companies should cover added electricity costs from data centers. The Ratepayer Protection Act passed the House 417 to 3 a day earlier and called for state hearings on the topic without compelling any regulations.

Goldman Sachs found household electricity prices rose nearly 7 percent from a year earlier in 2025, and data centers represent 40 percent of projected demand growth. Heinrich contended Congress should enact binding rules rather than optional state reviews, pointing to his GRID Savings Act that would require large users such as data centers to pay for needed grid connections.

Husted replied that the House result warranted action now and that he would continue the effort.