Senate votes 73-25 to take up permitting bill as Trump says he won't approve wind turbines

The Senate voted 73-25 on Monday to formally take up a bipartisan bill meant to speed up approvals for energy projects and data centers. It was the first major Senate action since last week's election ¹. The bill is called the Bipartisan American Affordability and Jobs Act ².

President Donald Trump says he is behind it. Later the same day, he said he would not approve wind turbines, which the bill's backers say it covers ³.

On tapeSenator Sheldon Whitehouse · Nov 9

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What the bill does

The bill would change several environmental laws to shorten review times for big projects. These include the National Environmental Policy Act, the Clean Water Act and the Endangered Species Act ². It would also overhaul how power transmission lines are approved ².

It would require large data center operators to pay more of the cost of grid upgrades needed to serve them. It also includes protections meant to keep other utility customers from being stuck with those costs if projects fail ³.

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The bill was introduced in September by Democratic Sens. Sheldon Whitehouse of Rhode Island and Martin Heinrich of New Mexico, and Republican Sens. Shelley Moore Capito of West Virginia and Mike Lee of Utah ³. Heinrich said the bill would save households billions on electricity costs ¹.

Trump's words on wind

Trump told reporters the bill is one the administration is behind "100 percent." When a reporter noted that wind provisions are in it, he answered with a quote that appears below ³.

I know, but I won't approve it. Well, the bill hasn't been fully negotiated. I will not approve wind turbines because wind turbines are a major loser.

A White House official told Newsweek that Trump "stands 100% behind the Bipartisan American Affordability and Jobs Act" ³. Trump also said the bill had not been fully negotiated ³.

His comment fits a pattern. In October, Trump issued a proclamation saying imports of wind turbines threatened national security, and the administration asked a judge to let it reconsider a major offshore wind permit ³. Whitehouse said in October that such actions risked undermining the deal: "This is how you blow up a permitting deal" ³.

Democrats are divided

Democrats are not united on the bill. House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries, expected to become speaker in January, criticized it last week. His office said it "falls short" in a number of areas ¹. Sen. Ron Wyden has called for a different permitting agreement ³.

The Sierra Club and National Wildlife Federation oppose the bill. They cite limits on court review and changes to environmental laws ¹. Whitehouse told Reuters that Democrats should take this win ³.

The Center for Biological Diversity, an environmental group, said Trump's remarks show he "won't stop his attacks on renewable energy" ³.

What happens next

The bill still needs to pass the Senate, which could happen this week, and then the House ². Trump's backing is likely to help it get a House vote ². Asked whether he would help round up House votes, Trump said, "we may see" ³.

That matters because the wind comments may test whether Democrats who back the bill still see it as a clean energy win. Passage is far from assured ³.

The Record

1. Sep 1, 2026Whitehouse, Heinrich, Capito and Lee introduced the permitting bill; Whitehouse said wind and solar protections were still unresolved ³.
2. Nov 8, 2026The four lead senators released a substitute amendment, and Trump called the bill a 'BIG WIN' on social media ¹³.
3. Nov 9, 2026The Senate voted 73-25 to begin debate; Trump said he would not approve wind turbines ¹³.

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<h2>Senate votes 73-25 to take up permitting bill as Trump says he won&#39;t approve wind turbines</h2> <p><em>By The GOP Files Capitol Desk. This article first appeared on <a href="https://thegopfiles.com/story/senate-votes-73-25-to-take-up-permitting-bill-as-trump-says-he-won-t-approve-wind">The GOP Files</a> on Monday, November 9, 2026.</em></p> <p>The Senate voted 73-25 on Monday to formally take up a bipartisan bill meant to speed up approvals for energy projects and data centers. It was the first major Senate action since last week&#39;s election . The bill is called the Bipartisan American Affordability and Jobs Act .</p> <p>President Donald Trump says he is behind it. Later the same day, he said he would not approve wind turbines, which the bill&#39;s backers say it covers .</p> <h2>What the bill does</h2> <p>The bill would change several environmental laws to shorten review times for big projects. These include the National Environmental Policy Act, the Clean Water Act and the Endangered Species Act . It would also overhaul how power transmission lines are approved .</p> <p>It would require large data center operators to pay more of the cost of grid upgrades needed to serve them. It also includes protections meant to keep other utility customers from being stuck with those costs if projects fail .</p> <p>The bill was introduced in September by Democratic Sens. Sheldon Whitehouse of Rhode Island and Martin Heinrich of New Mexico, and Republican Sens. Shelley Moore Capito of West Virginia and Mike Lee of Utah . Heinrich said the bill would save households billions on electricity costs .</p> <h2>Trump&#39;s words on wind</h2> <p>Trump told reporters the bill is one the administration is behind &quot;100 percent.&quot; When a reporter noted that wind provisions are in it, he answered with a quote that appears below .</p> <blockquote><p>I know, but I won&#39;t approve it. Well, the bill hasn&#39;t been fully negotiated. I will not approve wind turbines because wind turbines are a major loser.</p><p>&mdash; Donald Trump, President, Republican</p></blockquote> <p>A White House official told Newsweek that Trump &quot;stands 100% behind the Bipartisan American Affordability and Jobs Act&quot; . Trump also said the bill had not been fully negotiated .</p> <p>His comment fits a pattern. In October, Trump issued a proclamation saying imports of wind turbines threatened national security, and the administration asked a judge to let it reconsider a major offshore wind permit . Whitehouse said in October that such actions risked undermining the deal: &quot;This is how you blow up a permitting deal&quot; .</p> <h2>Democrats are divided</h2> <p>Democrats are not united on the bill. House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries, expected to become speaker in January, criticized it last week. His office said it &quot;falls short&quot; in a number of areas . Sen. Ron Wyden has called for a different permitting agreement .</p> <p>The Sierra Club and National Wildlife Federation oppose the bill. They cite limits on court review and changes to environmental laws . Whitehouse told Reuters that Democrats should take this win .</p> <p>The Center for Biological Diversity, an environmental group, said Trump&#39;s remarks show he &quot;won&#39;t stop his attacks on renewable energy&quot; .</p> <h2>What happens next</h2> <p>The bill still needs to pass the Senate, which could happen this week, and then the House . Trump&#39;s backing is likely to help it get a House vote . Asked whether he would help round up House votes, Trump said, &quot;we may see&quot; .</p> <p>That matters because the wind comments may test whether Democrats who back the bill still see it as a clean energy win. Passage is far from assured .</p> <p><em>Read the original, with every source linked, at <a href="https://thegopfiles.com/story/senate-votes-73-25-to-take-up-permitting-bill-as-trump-says-he-won-t-approve-wind">thegopfiles.com</a>. Republished under The GOP Files' <a href="https://thegopfiles.com/republish">free republishing terms</a>.</em></p> <img src="https://thegopfiles.com/api/rp/senate-votes-73-25-to-take-up-permitting-bill-as-trump-says-he-won-t-approve-wind.gif" alt="" width="1" height="1" style="border:0;width:1px;height:1px">

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Sources

1. The Guardian, “Senate advances bill to speed up permit reviews for infrastructure projects” (2026-11-10). theguardian.com/us-news/2026/nov/09/senate-advances-bill-ene
2. CNBC, “Senate advances Trump-backed bipartisan bill to speed critical infrastructure projects” (2026-11-09). cnbc.com/2026/11/09/senate-infrastructure-bill-data-centers.
3. Newsweek, “Trump Backs Energy Bill '100%' Before Balking at Wind Turbines” (2026-11-10). newsweek.com/trump-wind-turbines-bipartisan-energy-permittin

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