Congress: Democrats vow to lower energy costs after midterm wins
With new majorities in both chambers, the party plans to investigate climate rollbacks and push clean energy incentives, though President Trump warns he will veto 'insane' bills.
By Lucas Sheridan ·
Democrats gained control of the House and Senate in last week's midterms. The new leadership plans to prioritize clean energy legislation in January to counter rising utility bills. President Donald Trump stated he will use his veto power aggressively against the new agenda.
Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse of Rhode Island leads the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works. He said the administration's focus on fossil fuels raised prices for taxpayers. Whitehouse promised Democrats would "work every angle to lower consumers' energy costs" and demand accountability for "massive corruption" by the president's donors.
The party can immediately launch investigations into the elimination of green energy grants and recent climate policy rollbacks. Jason Grumet, CEO of the American Clean Power Association, said industry builders "feel bolstered" by the election results. However, enacting major law changes requires Republican votes because Democrats lack the numbers to override presidential vetoes.
Lisa Sachs, director of the Columbia Center on Sustainable Investment, noted that the election gave Democrats more leverage over spending. She added that the vote reflected a desire for affordability. Sachs said the party must now be clear about which policies deliver those results.
Trump told Fox News that Democrats will send over "things that are insane" for him to veto. He predicted that after a few months of vetoes, the two sides would find ways to work together. The White House issued a statement on Wednesday saying Trump is committed to unleashing reliable and affordable energy sources.
The administration has canceled many clean energy projects and slowed permitting while promoting oil, natural gas, and coal production. Orsted announced Thursday that the Revolution Wind farm off Rhode Island began commercial operations. Mike Sommers, CEO of the American Petroleum Institute, called the affordability message "unmistakable" and proposed bipartisan permitting reform.
Rep. Sean Casten of Illinois said he is cautiously optimistic that some Republicans will support pro-environmental policies. He noted that without Republican support, ambitious bills will mainly serve as an agenda for the 2028 election. Rep. Frank Pallone of New Jersey, who is expected to chair the House Energy and Commerce Committee, said the party will focus on healthcare, affordability, and consumer protections.
David Victor, a professor at the University of California, San Diego, expects a stalemate at the federal level. He said Democratic investigations will likely center on corruption. Victor called the next two years a recipe for intense chaos. State actions may also advance clean energy, as Democrats won governorships in Texas and Georgia.
