Democrats weigh helping GOP pass Big Oil, Big Tech bill
The gist
Senate Democrats met to weigh amendments to the BAAJA permitting bill ahead of a possible Monday vote.
The bill splits Democrats, with green groups and some lawmakers opposed.
How it unfolded
- Nov 3, 2026Democrats won control of both houses of Congress and a majority of governorships for the first time in more than a decade, in an election driven by voter anger over high prices, corruption and the spread of data centers.
- Nov 6, 2026Protesters gathered outside Sen. Chuck Schumer's Brooklyn home with an AI data center prop, demanding he and Democrats stop the BAAJA bill ahead of a Senate vote expected Monday.
- Nov 6, 2026Rep. Hakeem Jeffries publicly opposed the permitting bill, citing concerns about proposed changes to bedrock environmental laws and protections for tribal sovereignty.
Key terms
- permitting bill
- A proposed law that would change the rules for approving permits for energy and infrastructure projects.
- manager's amendments
- A U.S. federal health care law enacted in 2010 that expanded insurance coverage and overhauled healthcare regulation.
- lame duck
- The time when an outgoing elected official, whose successor has already been chosen, still holds office with reduced influence.
Source: Wikipedia