US Senate holds cloture vote on bipartisan permitting bill that would make big data centres pay for grid upgrades
The cloture vote on S. 5653, carried on H.R. 2347, is set for 5:30 p.m. ET Monday and needs 60 votes; Republicans hold 53 seats and many Democrats reportedly prefer to wait for their majority in January.
Why it matters
The bill is the main federal attempt this year to speed up energy projects while making large data centres carry their own grid costs, and it comes days after midterm results in which data centres were a campaign issue. If cloture fails, the bill is effectively stalled before debate begins, and a Democratic Congress from January 3, 2027 may write different rules. It also shortens the window to sue over federal permits from six years to 150 days. Watch the vote count, how many Democrats back it, and the rival AI Data Center Moratorium Act from Senator Sanders.
Key facts
- Bill: S. 5653, Bipartisan American Affordability and Jobs Act of 2026
- New data centres of 20 MW or more pay full added grid-upgrade cost
- 60 votes needed to open debate; Republicans hold 53 seats
- Window to sue over federal permits cut to 150 days from six years
- Two years for a full environmental impact statement, one for shorter review
- Sponsors: Capito, Lee, Whitehouse, Heinrich
How the story developed
- 9 Nov, 13:21 UTC Developing US Senate holds cloture vote on bipartisan permitting bill that would make big data centres pay for grid upgrades
- 9 Nov, 14:10 UTC Developing US Senate holds cloture vote on bipartisan permitting bill that would make big data centres pay for grid upgrades