A Senate bill about data centers and energy costs did not move forward on Wednesday.

It needed 60 votes.

It got 57 votes, with 43 against.

Lawmakers left Washington after the vote to campaign before the midterms.

The bill would tell utility regulators to think about a federal standard.

Under it, big power customers would pay rates.

These rates would cover the system upgrades needed to serve them.

Democrats called it just a suggestion.

They said more is needed.

Republicans said it tells regulators to act.

The sponsor is Republican Sen. Jon Husted of Ohio.

He faces a hard reelection fight.

His Democratic challenger is former Sen. Sherrod Brown.

Brown 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 bill 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 ideas.

Sen. Martin Heinrich of New Mexico sponsored a bill.

It would direct the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission to make mandatory rules for large electricity customers.

Schumer said Democrats want the rule 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.