Democrats set sights on Big Tech after congressional win

Democrats have already outlined possible targets. House Oversight Committee member Rep. Greg Casar (D-TX), chair of the Congressional Progressive Caucus, said AI company CEOs should testify under oath. Rep. Frank Pallone (D-NJ), the top Democrat on the House Energy and Commerce Committee, pledged to pursue policies to protect consumers and the environment, prioritize clean energy and rein in Big Tech. Sen. Ed Markey (D-MA) joked that the party would need “new forests” for the subpoenas it planned to print.

Some oversight is already underway. House Judiciary Committee Ranking Member Jamie Raskin (D-MD) held a “shadow” hearing this year after the Justice Department settled its Live Nation-Ticketmaster antitrust case. Raskin has also sought information from Amazon, Google, Meta and Oracle about nondisclosure agreements involving public officials considering data center proposals. Democrats have told Politico they are weighing investigations into Musk’s DOGE role, alleged conflicts of interest and reported disruption of Starlink service to Ukraine.

Rep. Sam Liccardo (D-CA) supports investigations but says hearings need to lead to legislation. “What is imperative for Democrats is to come to the table with solutions, not with slogans,” he told The Verge. He said AI safety rules, data centers and the effect of AI on jobs should top the party’s agenda. Democrats may face vetoes from President Donald Trump: TD Cowen’s Washington Research Group said it expects him to reject an AI safety bill that slows the release of AI models. The group also expects Democrats to revisit tech antitrust legislation, though it may not reach a floor vote or could be vetoed.

Children’s online safety could offer a route to bipartisan action. The Kids Online Safety Act passed the Senate overwhelmingly in 2024 but was blocked by Republican House leaders. Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), a co-sponsor, said the issue had bipartisan support. Rep. Jake Auchincloss (D-MA) urged passage of bills making app stores responsible for age requirements and keeping children under 16 off social media.

Data center construction may also encounter resistance. Yorkville Ives analysts said Democratic control, particularly of the Senate, would create hurdles for AI and tech policy and could slow plans for 800 to 1,000 data centers across the United States. Liccardo said he wants developers to help pay for energy-grid investment. Chamber of Progress CEO Adam Kovacevich cautioned Democrats against mistaking an anti-Trump wave for an anti-tech mandate.

The party’s campaign messaging on technology has grown sharply: Reset Tech says Democrats ran six ads referencing tech-related terms from 2020 to 2024, spending about $2 million, compared with 387 ads and more than $100 million from 2025 to 2026. Anthropic may receive a somewhat warmer reception after resisting a Pentagon demand to allow domestic mass surveillance and autonomous weapons use of its AI, though the company is still likely to face scrutiny.