Senate to vote on energy permitting bill after midterm election

The Senate is scheduled to take up bipartisan energy legislation on Monday in its first major action since last week's midterm elections. The vote will test support for a bill backed by President Donald Trump and senators from both parties.

The measure aims to shorten permitting timelines for large energy projects, including clean energy and fossil fuel developments. It would also require data centers to pay for the electricity they consume.

“BIG WIN for U.S. ENERGY INDEPENDENCE and DOMINANCE.”

Trump urged senators to approve the bill in a social media post on Sunday, calling it a "BIG WIN for U.S. ENERGY INDEPENDENCE and DOMINANCE." He said the legislation would allow pipelines, mines, and power plants to be built faster while lowering energy costs for American families.

Major industry groups representing clean energy developers and the oil and gas sector support the bill. Environmental organizations oppose it, arguing that it would lock in fossil fuel development, weaken environmental safeguards, and make it harder for communities to challenge project approvals.

Some Democrats say the party should use its stronger position in the next Congress to pass legislation that expands clean energy while limiting oil, natural gas, and mining growth. Critics warn the bill could lead to a large increase in liquefied natural gas exports and a rapid build-out of gas-powered data centers.

House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries criticized the bill last week. The Democrats' sweeping midterm win could complicate the bill's passage during the lame-duck session.