US midterm results: how a Democratic Congress could press Big Tech on accountability
After the US midterm elections, which The Verge's commentary says Democrats won, attention is turning to whether Congress will push major technology companies toward greater accountability. The piece points to possible investigations, data center disputes and the risk of no real legislation.
In the US midterm elections held on 3 November, Democrats won majorities in both the House of Representatives and the Senate, according to a commentary by The Verge writer Adi Robertson. That gives the opposition the ability to investigate major technology companies during President Donald Trump's second term, and it could change the relationship between Washington and Silicon Valley.
Close ties with the Trump administration
The publication notes that during Trump's second term, several companies, including Google, Amazon and Microsoft, donated to his inauguration. The administration has taken a largely hands-off approach to regulation, particularly in artificial intelligence, and federal investigations of Big Tech have become less frequent than under previous administrations. The White House hosted the unveiling of OpenAI's Stargate data center project, and the US Army created a special detachment for tech executives.
What Democrats could do
The author argues that the new Congress could use subpoena powers to demand answers from company leaders, for example over hacks carried out by AI agents. Possible topics named include a $24.5 million Google settlement that the company denies was a bribe, Trump's ties to the cryptocurrency industry, and Elon Musk's work on the government efficiency initiative DOGE.
The data center issue has so far been fought mainly at the local level, but it became a flashpoint in numerous campaigns. The author suggests a Democratic majority could block Trump's efforts to override local rules and his proposed moratorium on state AI laws.
The risk of little change
The commentary warns that over the past decade the US has failed to pass even bipartisan tech laws, such as antitrust overhauls or a data privacy framework. With Trump in office, new legislation looks unlikely, and hearings without action could weaken trust in government.
