Republicans’ time crunch: Data centers, sports, crypto

Most Senate denizens expect Tuesday’s crypto bill to fail given the standoff over new ethics rules governing President Donald Trump and his family. The Protect College Sports Act has better prospects and could receive a vote as early as this week.

Members of both parties are optimistic about the college sports bill despite Democrats’ filibuster leverage, and one of the bill’s wealthy benefactors is trying to make sure it stays front and center. Saving College Sports, a group founded by Texas Tech University System Board of Regents Chair Cody Campbell, is spending an additional $300,000 on ads between Monday and Tuesday on programs watched closely by lawmakers, including on Fox News, MS NOW and CNN, according to a person familiar with the plans.

If the bill advances on the Senate floor, it could take a significant amount of time to process — especially if there’s a protracted amendment fight. That would threaten to eat into the limited three-week work session before the midterm elections, limiting other legislative action; Senate Republicans also wanted to confirm Trump’s judicial nominees and Keith Sonderling, his new pick for Labor secretary.

Senate Republicans are also coordinating with the House about deregulatory rollbacks they might be able to accomplish this month. The House is scheduled to take up two California environmental disapproval resolutions this week — members’ last week in town before they break ahead of the midterms.