US House has enough votes to pass data center cost bill

US House: The United States House of Representatives is the lower chamber of the U.S. Congress, responsible for originating revenue and regulatory legislation as part of the federal legislative branch. It is currently advancing the Ratepayer Protection Act, a bipartisan measure targeting costs associated with large data center development. The effort responds to growing public and political pressure over how energy infrastructure expenses for these facilities are allocated. Legislation: The Ratepayer Protection Act would direct state regulators to ensure large-load data centers cover the full costs of new power generation, transmission, and infrastructure upgrades instead of passing expenses to consumers. Political Context: Concerns over data center expansion and its effects on utility rates have become a notable issue ahead of the 2026 midterm elections. Bipartisan Support: The bill has drawn backing from lawmakers in both parties, including sponsors from Republican and Democratic delegations, and is being advanced under expedited procedures in the House.