President Donald Trump said he was “100 percent” behind a bipartisan energy permitting bill advancing in the Senate on Monday but balked at its inclusion of wind turbines. We are behind it 100 percent,” Trump told reporters. Asked whether he would help whip votes for the legislation in the House, Trump said, “Well, we may see, but the Democrats want that—I mean, maybe they've changed—but they wanted it as much as the Republicans." After a reporter said that wind provisions were part of the bill, Trump added: “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.” Trump’s comments came as the Senate moved ahead with consideration of the Bipartisan American Affordability and Jobs Act of 2026, a sweeping package intended to speed the approval of energy and infrastructure projects. The exchange highlights an unresolved issue in the bipartisan permitting negotiations, which have unfolded as Trump has aggressively targeted wind power.
A White House official told Newsweek that Trump “stands 100% behind the Bipartisan American Affordability and Jobs Act” and had reiterated his support Monday. The Bipartisan American Affordability and Jobs Act was introduced in September by Whitehouse, Heinrich, and Republican Senators Shelley Moore Capito of West Virginia and Mike Lee of Utah. The bill would overhaul federal permitting and environmental-review processes for energy and infrastructure projects.
Its provisions cover areas including transmission, natural gas, oil, geothermal, hydropower and renewable-energy projects. An analysis by the Environmental Policy Innovation Center identifies provisions affecting both onshore and offshore wind, as well as solar energy. The legislation has also emerged as one of Congress' first attempts since the midterm elections to address growing concerns about data centers and electricity costs.
It would require large data center operators to shoulder more of the costs of transmission and grid upgrades needed to serve them, while including protections intended to prevent other utility customers from being left with those costs if projects fail. The legislation is designed in part to make federal permits more durable, accelerate environmental reviews and make it easier to construct energy and other major infrastructure. Republican supporters have emphasized regulatory reform, while Democratic backers have highlighted its potential to speed clean-energy development.
The four lead senators released a substitute amendment on Saturday following feedback from lawmakers, environmental and labor groups and Tribal leaders. In statements announcing the revised measure, Whitehouse said it could “juice the clean energy economy,” while Capito said it preserved the foundation of the bipartisan agreement. Whitehouse told that the legislation would allow Democrats to immediately begin delivering on campaign promises involving affordability and data center accountability.
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