Senate Republicans scramble to act on affordability with midterms fewer than 40 days away
With fewer than 40 days until the November midterms, Senate Republicans are attempting to advance legislation addressing rising consumer costs, including a bill aimed at shielding Americans from electricity price hikes tied to data center expansion. The effort comes amid internal Republican frustration that the party has done little on cost-of-living issues since passing its major tax package last year. The data center electricity bill passed the House but was blocked by Democrats in the Senate, who say it does not go far enough.
Two sources · Thin corroboration
At a strategy session inside the Senate GOP's campaign headquarters Wednesday, Sen. Jon Husted of Ohio made an urgent appeal to colleagues, urging them to remain in Washington and "do something real and tangible on affordability," according to a person in the room. Sen. Susan Collins of Maine, who is also in a competitive race, had made similar repeated pleas in recent meetings. Shortly after, Republican leaders agreed the Senate would return the following week to take up the data center electricity bill.
The push reflects deepening anxiety within the Republican conference. According to CNN, multiple senators privately acknowledged that gas and grocery prices have eroded their own voters' confidence in the party, with a half-dozen races tight enough to go either way. Sen. John Kennedy of Louisiana told reporters Thursday that the Senate had "not done a damn thing" on cost of living since passing the "One Big Beautiful Bill," adding that the inaction "is biting us in the a** right now." Kennedy separately criticized leadership for prioritizing a college sports bill over economic legislation.
On the substance, Republicans remain divided. Sen. Josh Hawley said the Senate should consider suspending the federal gas tax, capping insulin prices, and potentially banning diesel exports — an idea President Donald Trump has also expressed interest in. Senate Majority Leader John Thune was skeptical, saying most proposals floated would have minimal impact on gas prices absent a resolution to shipping disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz. Some experts cited by CNN warned a diesel export ban could cause further chaos in energy markets.