Democrats target Trump’s fossil fuel agenda

Democrats will control both chambers of Congress beginning in January after gaining House and Senate majorities in the midterms. They plan to promote renewable energy, examine the administration’s reversal of climate policies and review canceled green-energy grants. They may also seek to restore incentives for renewable projects and resist cuts to the Environmental Protection Agency’s budget. Healthcare access, tariffs and the Iran war are also among the party’s priorities.

President Donald Trump has signaled frequent vetoes, leaving Democrats dependent on Republican votes for major legislation because they cannot override him alone. Trump favors increased oil, natural gas and coal production, while his administration has canceled clean-energy projects and grants, slowed permitting and reversed pollution restrictions. He has nevertheless predicted that cooperation could emerge after several months. A possible early test is an energy-permitting proposal intended to accelerate large projects; the Senate expects a procedural vote Monday.

For Spokane households, the dispute matters because both parties are framing energy policy around affordability. Democrats argue that additional clean power could ease consumer costs, while the administration says its approach will provide dependable, secure and less expensive energy. Congressional policy cannot ensure smaller bills: electricity prices are also shaped by energy demand, fuel prices and grid-maintenance expenses. Analysts largely anticipate federal gridlock, although permitting changes could attract support from both parties. Hearings and investigations may begin under Democratic control, while bills blocked by Trump could instead describe the party’s plans for 2028. State-level climate efforts may also expand after Democratic gubernatorial victories in Texas and Georgia.