The House passed a bill on Wednesday.

The bill makes AI data centers pay for their big energy needs.

The vote was 417 to 3.

It was the last day in Washington before the midterm elections.

The bill tells state utility regulators to think about a rule.

The rule makes data centers pay the full cost of new power.

They also pay for upgrades to serve them.

Supporters called the bill a "modest first start."

They want to protect families and businesses from higher utility bills.

The bill is only a federal recommendation.

States still control their own electricity markets.

Rep. Frank Pallone is the top Democrat on the House Energy and Commerce Committee.

He said the bill is only the beginning.

Some lawmakers want a full stop on AI data centers.

They want this until safeguards are in place.

More than 100 Democrats signed a letter this week.

They asked House Speaker Mike Johnson to keep the House in session.

They want Congress to pass real AI safeguards.

Johnson said the bill "strikes the right balance."

He said it protects local communities.

He said it keeps America at the cutting edge of AI.

The debate showed different views on data centers.

House Majority Leader Steve Scalise is from Louisiana.

He said a data center in Richland Parish gave bonuses.

Local teachers got up to $50,000 more.

This came from more tax money.

Pallone said Americans have real concerns.

He said President Donald Trump and Republican leaders pushed those concerns aside.

A new poll came from the Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research.

It also came from the Energy Policy Institute at the University of Chicago.

The poll found nearly two-thirds of Americans are very concerned.

They worry about data centers and energy prices.

And 57% are very concerned about water supplies.

Rep. Gabe Evans is from Colorado.

He is the bill's sponsor.

He said the U.S. can build out its power systems.

Or it can depend on countries like China for its digital infrastructure.