Democrats win control of Congress, gaining subpoena power

Subpoena power, not legislation

The result puts Congress and the White House in divided government, with lawmakers likely to battle the administration rather than pass major energy and climate laws, MIT Technology Review reported. The outlet noted that the 2022 Inflation Reduction Act included tax credits and government grants and loans for clean energy, while the 2025 One Big Beautiful Bill Act cut much of that support. Both laws passed when one party controlled both chambers and the presidency.

Democrats can subpoena cabinet members and open investigations into Trump appointees and their agencies. They cannot override vetoes, and neither chamber is close to the two-thirds threshold. Trump still controls executive agencies, so subpoenas can expose decisions but cannot rewrite rules.

Investigations and a pending bill

Democratic leaders have signaled plans to target officials such as EPA commissioner Lee Zeldin over cuts to staff and investments, MIT Technology Review reported. Endpoints News said the result likely means scrutiny of Trump's "most favored nation" deals, investigations into HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., shifts in China policy, changes to funding rules for US research and more policy and people turbulence at the FDA.

CNBC called the result a major rejection of Musk and the artificial-intelligence industry. It reported that Musk, who spent at least $474 million on the midterms and became the biggest known donor, could face investigations into his federal contracts, his past leadership of the Department of Government Efficiency and his companies' ties to Washington. The network said congressional scrutiny may slow SpaceX's government contracts, but Trump still controls executive agencies and veto power.

Sierra Club Executive Director Loren Blackford said voters had made "a resounding call for new leadership" and that the group would work to hold the Trump administration accountable. She called the result "a clear rejection of Donald Trump and Congressional Republicans' war on affordable clean energy."

MIT Technology Review reported that the Senate is set to vote on the Bipartisan American Affordability and Jobs Act on 9 November, before the new Congress takes control in January. The White House has supported the permitting package, and it could pass the Senate if a handful of Democrats join the Republican majority. Democrats might wait until next year to renegotiate, though anything would still need Trump's signature.