Senate Politics Amid Rising Costs
In politics, sometimes you just do what you can. The recent Senate session in late September had all 100 senators gathering for various discussions. Sure, there was the college sports bill, the confirmation of Labor Secretary Keith Sonderling, and a significant hearing featuring former special counsel Jack Smith. However, if you think both parties came together to craft a plan to alleviate the cost of living for everyday Americans, you might want to reconsider.
Senators themselves would likely corroborate this perspective. It’s clear that Democrats halted two bills which Republicans argued were important to voters. One aimed at reducing consumer costs tied to data centers, while the other sought to limit stock trading by lawmakers—what’s notable here is that the latter even included a voter ID requirement that the GOP valued. Yet, the Republican senators were privately aware that Democrats would not accept these measures.
This week was ultimately about political maneuvering.
Democratic senators also rejected the GOP’s proposals.
Take the Ratepayer Protection Act as a starting point. Both parties understand that constituents are increasingly concerned about artificial intelligence and the implications of data centers. An internal GOP communication from August indicated particular apprehension regarding what this meant for Sen. Jon Husted, R-Ohio, who was appointed by Ohio Governor Mike DeWine to fill the seat of current Vice President JD Vance. Husted had previously been instrumental in promoting data center developments in the state.
The final week of the Senate session before the midterms was rife with political undertones.
Republicans intended for the Act to temper the soaring utility costs associated with data center construction.
Sen. Josh Hawley, R-Mo., articulated that families should be assured that their electricity bills wouldn’t increase due to data center operations. He emphasized that these tech companies shouldn’t exploit local resources or drive up costs for residents.
On the flip side, Democrats criticized the bill for lacking enforceable requirements for AI companies. They characterized it as merely a suggestion rather than a mandate.
Sen. Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn., called it a “sham,” asserting it held no real enforcement mechanisms. He argued that existing state regulations already cover what the bill proposed without needing to pass it.
I probed Sen. Tim Kaine, D-Va., about whether “something is better than nothing.” He firmly disagreed, stating, “No. You shouldn’t trick people. And this is not even something.” He labeled it as “nothing.”
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., echoed this criticism, describing the Ratepayer Protection Act as a fraud offering no actual protections while Americans are seeking genuine regulations on AI and data centers.
This discussion is entrenched in midterm politics, with Democrats contending that Republicans used the vote as a lifeline for Husted.
While many Senate Republicans were inclined to end their session ahead of the midterms, they hesitated on the data center bill due to its implications for Husted.
I asked Sen. John Hoeven, R-N.D., if this vote was strictly about Husted’s political ambitions. He admitted, “I think it will help him,” a sentiment echoed by Sen. Andy Kim, D-N.J., who stated that it was “clearly a political ploy,” beneficial for Husted but not necessarily for the American people.
As the midterm elections approach, the issue of data centers could emerge as a central topic. The battle between Husted and former Sen. Sherrod Brown, D-Ohio, is viewed as one of the tightest Senate races. Sen. Ben Ray Lujan, D-N.M., remarked on Husted’s legislative attempts as clear efforts to bolster his campaign.
Husted himself acknowledged that his push for legislation was blocked by Democrats and hinted at campaigning on that very point.
So yes, the Senate’s final week was indeed about the midterms. Sen. Thom Tillis, R-N.C., posed a rhetorical question about past political cycles, emphasizing the trend toward politicization in late September and October before elections.
The shifting stance of Sen. Peter Welch, D-Vt., on the data center bill illustrates this dynamic. Initially supportive, he later withdrew his support due to the lack of amendments and enforcement in the bill.
This raises the question: would either side prefer genuine action, or do they favor the issue itself for political gain? It’s arguable that Husted gained political capital by using the blocked bill as a contrast against Democrats.
Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., maintained that it should be a straightforward decision on the Senate floor.
In competitive Senate races, pivotal issues usually don’t hinge on just one vote or debate. Voters remember past decisions, like Sen. Susan Collins’ confirmation of Justice Brett Kavanaugh in 2018, even years later. For Republicans, focused on affordability, the data center issue has presented an opportunity they couldn’t afford to pass up.
Should Husted lose narrowly, Republicans may express regret over not allowing a vote that could have shaped public perception on affordability issues. It was the best that Husted could manage, and likewise for the Senate Republicans.
It may be a gamble, but at least Republicans can assert they did what they could.
