The First Thing Democrats Should Do to Show They’re Serious on Affordability
A chance to act now
In his election night victory speech, Representative Hakeem Jeffries of New York pledged that Democrats would work to make the country affordable for every American. The editorial board argues they can begin before taking control of Congress in January.
The Senate is debating permitting reform, a bill intended to make it easier to build solar energy farms, battery storage and power lines. The board says those projects could reduce energy prices and support a cleaner, more stable energy system.
Bipartisan negotiations behind bill
The measure has support from some of the Senate’s most environmentally minded members as well as the White House. Its backing follows years of bipartisan negotiations, false starts and near misses.
After Democrats’ midterm victory, some in the party may prefer to abandon the current bill and wait until next year to draft a version more favorable to some environmental groups. The editorial board warns that this would risk losing a chance to act now.
Senate progress, House uncertainty
The bill cleared a procedural measure in the Senate on Monday by a vote of 73 to 25. A final vote is expected in the coming weeks, and the editorial board says passage there is likely.
The bill’s future in the House is less certain. Jeffries, the Democratic leader, has raised concerns and is among the potential votes against it.
Why the board urges passage
The editorial board says President Trump would almost certainly veto a follow-up bill next year, making delay costly. It urges Congress to pass the current measure and consider additional legislation next year.
The board traces today’s permitting rules to laws written to protect water, air, endangered species and land. It argues that the rules have grown so complex and restrictive that the country struggles to build needed projects, deepening doubts about government’s ability to act.
Key points
- The Senate’s permitting bill would ease construction of energy infrastructure and could lower energy prices.
- The measure advanced 73 to 25 on a procedural vote; a final Senate vote is expected in coming weeks.
- Jeffries has raised concerns, leaving the bill’s prospects in the House uncertain.
- The editorial board says delaying could leave a future bill vulnerable to a likely Trump veto.