Oversight, Utility Bills Loom Large Under a Divided U.S. Government Scenario

Senior Policy Advisor Michal Freedhoff was quoted in an S&P Global article examining how a divided U.S. government following the midterm elections could reshape federal energy policy and congressional oversight. If Democrats regain control of one or both chambers of Congress, lawmakers could pursue new oversight priorities related to the Trump Administration's energy policies, utility costs and private sector activity. Michal, the former minority director of oversight for the U.S. Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works, highlighted how a shift in who holds the majority could change the scope of congressional investigations and information available to lawmakers.

"What happens when Democrats control Congress, though, is that they have subpoena power. They can request the documents," she explained. "If the executive branch doesn't provide them, they can nevertheless request them from private sector companies."

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