<p class="wp-block-paragraph">The <a href="https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/tag/house/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">House</a> is back in Washington for its final week before the November midterm elections, with lawmakers set to confront three significant issues: rising energy costs related to <a href="https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/tag/data-centers/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">data centers</a>, sanctions on <a href="https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/tag/russia/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Russia</a>, and President Donald Trump’s actions regarding <a href="https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/tag/iran/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Iran</a>.</p>
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">The four-day session provides lawmakers with an opportunity to act on several major pieces of legislation before the House adjourns for the elections.</p>
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">The bipartisan Ratepayer Protection Act is scheduled for a vote as early as Tuesday. Introduced by Reps. Gabe Evans (R-CO) and Kathy Castor (D-FL), the bill would require tech companies to cover the infrastructure and energy costs associated with constructing data centers.</p>
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">If the bill passes the House, it may still face challenges in reaching Trump's desk, as similar legislation by Sen. Jon Husted (R-OH) has not advanced in the Senate, which has three weeks remaining before recessing for the elections.</p>
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">The House is also preparing to vote on a bipartisan sanctions bill for Russia, named after the late Sen. Lindsey Graham. This measure, which has already passed the Senate, would penalize Russian oligarchs supporting Moscow’s military efforts and grant President Trump the authority to impose tariffs on countries purchasing Russian oil.</p>
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Democrats have expressed opposition to the new tariff authority included in the bill.</p>
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">“House Democrats are rock solid in our support for Ukraine, but the Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act would do more harm than good,” stated House Foreign Affairs Committee ranking member Gregory Meeks (D-NY), Ways and Means Committee ranking member Richard Neal (D-MA), and Rep. Don Beyer (D-VA) in a <a href="https://democrats-waysandmeans.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/neal-meeks-beyer-statement-russia-sanctions-legislation" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">statement</a>. “This bill would dramatically expand presidential tariff authorities while failing to mandate sanctions on Russia, both of which are unacceptable. These flaws would raise Americans’ prices while undermining support for Ukraine in the long term.” Opposition to the tariff authority has previously hindered swift passage of the measure in the House.</p>
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">In addition to addressing tariff powers, Democrats are planning to push for a vote to end military actions in Iran. Two prior votes aimed at restricting Trump’s war powers passed the House in June and July with some GOP support, but similar efforts have not succeeded in the Senate.</p>
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Despite these challenges, Democrats are moving forward, aiming to put Republican lawmakers on the defensive ahead of the elections.</p>
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">The House’s final week could also be complicated by a renewed effort to impeach Trump.</p>
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Retiring Rep. Al Green (D-TX) announced on Monday his intention to force a vote on articles of impeachment against Trump, accusing him of abusing his authority in relation to Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Customs and Border Protection.</p>
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">House Democratic leaders have not fully supported Green’s impeachment initiative, which could lead to internal party disputes just weeks before the elections.</p>