The Senate failed again to approve cybersecurity legislation to better protect the power grid and other critical infrastructure, leaving the job to President Barack Obama to carry out through executive fiat.

A motion to limit debate and force a vote on the bill fell well short on Wednesday of the 60 votes needed to pass, with only 51 senators backing the measure. Democrats and Republicans disagreed over the role the Homeland Security Department and other federal agencies should play in protecting businesses from cyberattacks.

The legislation has faced stiff opposition from the business community, including the powerful U.S. Chamber of Commerce.

The Senate also failed in August to move the bill forward.

The Obama administration has said that if Congress does not pass cybersecurity legislation, the president will act to protect critical infrastructure companies from