Republicans’ time crunch: Data centers, sports, crypto
Some Republicans are hoping they can address voters’ affordability concerns before the midterms.
Republicans face a tight deadline as they attempt to tackle voters' affordability concerns before the upcoming election. The House is set to consider the Ratepayer Protection Act, also known as the data center power bill, aimed at showcasing the party's responsiveness to growing unease surrounding AI infrastructure. This would help vulnerable incumbent senators like Jon Husted, R-Ohio, address the concerns of their constituents.
However, the Senate has its own agenda, with the crypto market structure bill and a substantial bipartisan college sports bill slated for consideration this week. Some Republicans prefer to focus on deregulatory rollbacks and addressing the impact of AI on utility bills. The fate of the crypto bill remains uncertain, as a standoff over new ethics rules regarding President Donald Trump and his family is expected to cause a failure.
The Protect College Sports Act, on the other hand, is anticipated to have better odds of passing, potentially receiving a vote as early as this week. Despite Democrats' leverage through filibusters, both parties are optimistic about the sports bill, with one of its main supporters, Texas Tech University System Board of Regents Chair Cody Campbell, investing an additional $300,000 in advertising campaigns to ensure its prominence.
If the college sports bill is enacted, it may take considerable time to process, potentially cutting into the limited three-week work session before the midterm elections and hindering other legislative progress. Senate Republicans are concurrently coordinating with the House regarding potential deregulatory rollbacks they may be able to tackle this month.
The House plans to vote on two California environmental disapproval resolutions, which will be the last set of bills considered before the members break ahead of the midterms. Additionally, House Republicans are expected to vote on a Senate-passed bill named after the late Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., which aims to increase pressure on Russia through the imposition of penalties on its trading partners.
However, many House Democrats are likely to oppose this bill due to concerns about yielding more tariff authority to President Trump.
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