Congress weighs data center bill
The gist
The Senate voted to advance the Bipartisan American Affordability and Jobs Act, an energy permitting bill.
Democrats' midterm win has hardened objections, and analysts cut its passage odds to 25%.
How it unfolded
- Sep 16, 2026The U.S. House voted 417-3 to pass H.R. 9340, which would have states consider requiring large data centers to cover power infrastructure costs.
- Nov 4, 2026Democrats eyed tougher data center regulations as they retook Congress; 20 Democrats signed on to a bill creating a total moratorium on data center development.
- Nov 6, 2026Sen. Ron Wyden said Democrats should use their leverage after the election to negotiate a different approach, and House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries told Politico the bill falls short on environmental protections.
Key terms
- data centers
- Facilities housing computer systems and related equipment for storing, managing, and distributing digital information.
- midterm
- US general elections held near the midpoint of a president's four-year term, when all House seats and about a third of Senate seats are contested.
Source: Wikipedia