Senate Democrats Block 417-3 Ratepayer Bill as Schumer Calls Measure a Fraud

1 articles · Updated · Fox News · Sep 24

Senate Democrats stopped the House-passed Ratepayer Protection Act after Sen. Jon Husted sought quick approval, denying the vulnerable Ohio Republican a potential pre-midterm win.
Chuck Schumer defended the block by calling Husted's bill a "fraud," saying it is voluntary and weaker than Democrats' preferred mandatory approach to shielding utility customers near data centers.
Republicans now may keep the Senate in session next week and force procedural votes on the measure, aiming to put Democrats on the record on consumer energy costs and use Schumer's remark in Ohio.
The fight lands as the Senate also prepares a Thursday test vote on a separate college sports bill backed by more than 70 senators, while John Thune pushes other unfinished priorities including permitting reform.