A Senate bill about data centers and energy costs failed to move forward on Wednesday.

It needed 60 votes but only got 57-43.

Lawmakers left Washington to campaign before the midterms.

The bill would require utility regulators to consider a federal standard.

Under it, large power customers would pay rates for system upgrades needed to serve them.

Democrats called it just a suggestion and said more is needed.

Republicans said it tells regulators to act.

The sponsor is Republican Sen. Jon Husted of Ohio.

He faces a tough reelection fight.

His Democratic challenger, former Sen. Sherrod Brown, has called him the "face of data centers" in campaign ads.

Husted told reporters the bill was the only way to show voters whose side lawmakers are on.

The measure passed the House 417-3.

But it needed at least seven Democratic senators to move forward.

Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer called the bill "a fraud, plain and simple."

Democrats have offered other proposals.

Sen. Martin Heinrich of New Mexico sponsored a bill.

It directs the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission to issue mandatory rules for large electricity customers.

Schumer said Democrats want the requirement to be mandatory.

He said Republicans want it to be optional.

About 6 in 10 Americans support limiting new data centers.

A majority are worried about their impact on electricity prices and water supplies.