WASHINGTON — Senate Republicans are preparing a short list of votes before leaving Washington for the run-up to the Nov. 3 midterm elections, with a measure aimed at data-center-related electricity costs emerging as a central political test. Senate Majority Leader John Thune could move to bring up the House-passed Ratepayer Protection Act on Monday, Sept. 28, with a vote expected Wednesday. The bill is intended to curb utility cost increases associated with data centers, whose expanding electricity demand has raised questions about who pays for grid upgrades and power supply. Republicans hope the vote will put Democrats in a difficult position on an issue that resonates with households facing high energy bills. The measure could also give Sen. Jon Husted, an Ohio Republican in a competitive race against former Sen. Sherrod Brown, a campaign talking point. A spokesperson for Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer said Democrats consider the bill inadequate and would push for a stronger standard. Sen. John Kennedy, a Louisiana Republican, criticized the Senate’s focus, saying voters concerned about living costs had not seen enough action. The Senate is also expected to take up a bipartisan bill overhauling college sports, with final passage anticipated Monday night. Some Republicans have complained that a sports measure could be the chamber’s last major accomplishment before the election. Other possible votes include Republican-backed measures to undo California’s stricter vehicle-emissions standards and a House-passed bill restricting stock trading by lawmakers. The stock-trading measure, led by Sen. Pete Ricketts of Nebraska, also includes voter-identification provisions championed by Husted. The Senate had not yet settled its full schedule, and a long-sought permitting vote was no longer expected before the break. The chamber is also leaving several nominations unresolved. Sen. Kevin Cramer of North Dakota lifted his hold on Chris Klomp’s nomination to be deputy health secretary, but maintained a broader blockade over Fish and Wildlife regulations. As a result, Labor secretary nominee Keith Sonderling and other nominees are likely to await action until November. A separate dispute over Senate Homeland Security Chair Rand Paul’s refusal to advance legislation could delay work on cybersecurity and immigration until a new Congress convenes in January. Meanwhile, Sen. Susan Collins, a Maine Republican who leads the Senate Appropriations Committee, criticized Trump’s decision to cancel nearly $1 billion in funding approved by Congress through a maneuver known as a pocket rescission. Collins said she would work with other lawmakers to address what she called illegal actions. The move is likely to intensify negotiations over government funding after the elections, as lawmakers debate the limits of presidential authority over spending approved by Congress.