The Senate will return next week to wrap up business before the November midterm elections, seeking to take action on an affordability issue and score a political win for an endangered Republican incumbent. Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., told reporters Thursday that a wide array of bills could potentially come to the floor next week. He specifically noted a test vote on legislation known as the Ratepayer Protection Act, which is intended to address rising electricity prices by requiring state regulators to consider adopting standards to ensure that large data centers pay for needed electric grid upgrades. “There are a couple of things that would be good candidates if you're looking at something that reinforces that [affordability] message,” Thune said. “But Ratepayer Protection Act, for sure, is, I would say, front and center on that list, and that's why we're teeing it up.” The House passed the bill last week by a vote of 417-3, but Democrats blocked an effort by Sen. Jon Husted, R-Ohio, to clear the measure for President Donald Trump’s signature. Husted is facing a tough challenge for reelection from Democratic former Sen. Sherrod Brown, in a race rated a Toss-up by Inside Elections with Nathan L. Gonzales. “The president wants it, House Democrats and Republicans want it, consumers want it, the business community wants it,” Husted said in an interview with the “10 Minute Drill.” But Senate Democrats have not been buying it. “Sen. Husted's bill is a fraud. It's voluntary, no company has to do it. The bill we have is mandatory. It is much stronger and is what is needed,” Senate Minority Leader Charles E. Schumer, D-N.Y., said Wednesday. Husted is among the Republicans saying Senate Democrats are trying to deny the GOP a win on the question of costs ahead of the midterms. Other business Also in the queue for potential pre-election test votes is a bill designed to prohibit congressional stock trading. However, it seems unlikely that the closely divided Senate would advance the bill because it includes language incorporated by Republicans that would require voters to show photo ID. The House passed the measure in July with a 232-198 vote. Actually opening a debate on stock trading by lawmakers would also give Democrats an opportunity to highlight trading activity on behalf of the president, who would not be covered by the House-passed bill. But before the potential political posturing will be what’s expected to be a big bipartisan vote Monday evening to pass legislation that would set rules for name, image and likeness issues in college sports. The Senate voted 74-25 to limit debate on the bill Thursday, and senators agreed to hold the passage vote at 5:30 p.m. Monday. Thune also told reporters he would like to be able to call up Trump nominations including Keith Sonderling to be secretary of Labor. Sonderling is the current acting secretary. But senators will have to work through some remaining issues to get those cleared, Thune said. Savannah Behrmann contributed to this report.
