Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer is seeking to block Republican Sen. Jon Husted’s Ratepayer Protection Act, which would establish a federal standard for states to consider when regulating data centers and their energy costs. The bill passed the House 417-3 on Sept. 16, creating pressure on Senate Democrats, while divisions within the caucus could test Schumer’s leadership. The dispute has direct political stakes in Ohio, where former Sen. Sherrod Brown has made Husted’s support for data centers a central campaign issue. A YouGov poll found that 75 percent of 1,000 likely Ohio voters opposed or strongly opposed local data-center construction, and 47 percent said candidates’ positions on the issue were extremely or very important to their November vote. Senate Majority Leader John Thune is expected to file a cloture motion (vote to end debate) Monday, with an initial procedural vote set for Wednesday. Democrats including Martin Heinrich oppose Husted’s voluntary approach, while Chris Van Hollen favors advancing the bill so Democrats can seek stronger requirements. Other senators, including Bernie Sanders, Dick Durbin and several Democrats, remain undecided or have not taken a position.