Senate Final Floor Votes

The Senate passed the Protect College Sports Act, which would establish federal standards for college athletes’ name, image, and likeness (NIL) agreements, among other provisions. Majority Leader Thune (R-SD) filed cloture last week on the Ratepayer Protection Act, which would establish a pathway for requiring data centers to pay for energy-grid upgrades needed to accommodate their electricity demands. Unless the Senate reaches unanimous consent, the measure will need to clear additional procedural hurdles before a final passage vote. Some Democrats have opposed the legislation, in part because consideration of the bill could benefit its lead sponsor, Sen. Husted (R-OH), in his competitive reelection campaign. At the same time, the politics surrounding data-center energy costs could lead some Democratic senators to support allowing debate on the measure.

The Senate also voted on two Congressional Review Act (CRA) resolutions, cosponsored with Sen. Ricketts (R-NE), that would roll back California’s stricter vehicle emissions standards. Other senators are seeking floor action on a House-passed bill that would restrict stock trading by members of Congress and legislation requiring individuals to present valid photo identification when voting in federal elections.