Troy Downing’s journey to Congress, Rep. Bice rolls out bipartisan paid family leave, and more!
Rep. Troy Downing talks his journey to Congress; the NYT is getting slammed for targeting realtors; Heard on the Hill; and more!
May 1, 2025
Let’s dive in.
INTERVIEW: “Hold my beer:” Rep. Troy Downing’s journey from businessman, veteran, and son of a single mom to lawmaker
Heard on the Hill
EDITORIAL: The New York Times’s curious timing in targeting realtors
EXCLUSIVE: Sen. Lankford unveiling legislation to reverse Biden-era anti-energy regulations and unleash American energy
SCOOP: American girl kidnapped by Hamas receives hero's welcome from House lawmakers: "This is not partisan"
SCOOP: Texas takeover: Ted Cruz is first sitting senator with a nationally syndicated radio show
SCOOP: "This is a pro-family administration": Rep. Stephanie Bice unveils nationwide paid family leave legislation, believes Trump can help get it passed
K-STREET, 10,000 FEET: Sen. Cassidy's plan to reform hospitals lauded by industry experts, conservatives
OPINIONATED: Rep. Kevin Kiley and Isabel Soto on the future of work, Rep. Troy Nehls on America’s innovation country, and Jahan Wilcox on how Trump’s AI agenda could be undermined by a Texas bill
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INTERVIEW: “Hold my beer:” Rep. Troy Downing’s journey from businessman, veteran, and son of a single mom to lawmaker
by the Washington Reporter
THE LOWDOWN:
The Washington Reporter spoke with Rep. Troy Downing (R., Mont.), one of the newest lawmakers in the House, about his life before Congress, his legislative priorities, and more.
Downing, the result of an “unplanned pregnancy of an unwed teenage mom,” went from teaching at NYU to the tech startup world before joining the Air Force at 34 years old following the September 11th attacks.
Downing, a member of the House Financial Services Committee, told the Reporter he is working on “a lot of things” in his new role in Congress. One of the big pushes he is making is to cut the federal red tape to “make it easier for community banks to lend to community businesses.”
As the second Trump administration hit its 100-day mark on Tuesday, Downing said he thinks the current administration is “going great.”
There are incredible stories in every new class of congressional lawmakers. Americans from all walks of life are elected to our Republic’s great legislature, including, but not limited to, veterans, astute businessmen, and sons and daughters of single moms and dads.
These stories carry with them a breadth of professional and life experience — and freshman Rep. Troy Downing’s (R., Mont.) own tale carries a torch as grand as the American Dream.
Downing joined Congress in 2025 after leading a life that embodies the hope of success and prosperity that America brings. The product of an “unplanned pregnancy of an unwed teenage mom,” Downing began his career as a research scientist and teacher at New York University’s Institute of Mathematical Sciences as well as the computer science department.
“And I left there to do a startup in the 90s that I successfully merged with a nascent Yahoo, Inc.,” Downing said. “So that was a life changer in the first dot-com boom.”
“And I did a bunch of tech venture after that, basically angel financing other tech companies, and did a lot of those,” Downing continued.
The Montana Republican told the Washington Reporter that the September 11th attacks were “a moment of truth” and “introspection” for him, and the attacks spurred him to join the Air Force in a combat search and rescue squadron at 34 years old.
“Did about eight years, mostly Air National Guard in a combat search and rescue squadron. And during that time I started building other businesses,” Downing said. “I mean, God bless America.”
“I had a broker-dealer and investment banking group, did medical device companies and commercial real estate, and started developing that around the country. And then built an insurance company around the real estate business,” he continued.
Downing’s first role in government came after now-former Rep. Matt Rosendale (R., Mont.), left his position as Montana’s State Auditor to join the House. Downing took over the role after realizing his experience in securities and insurance would make him a stellar fit for the position.
“It’s a misnamed office,” Downing joked, noting that his role as Montana’s Auditor carried with it three jobs, “but none of them are auditing.” Downing’s experience in the role included regulating the insurance and securities industries as well as acting as land commissioner in Montana.
“And so now I’m a lawmaker,” Downing continued. “So hold my beer.”
HEARD ON THE HILL
DC’S NEXT TOP LOBBYIST: Don’t forget to nominate your friends, loved ones, respected coworkers, or that very influential lobbyist you heard of for the Washington Reporter’s list of the most influential advocates in our nation’s capital! To submit a nomination, please provide the nominee’s name, affiliation, and a brief explanation of why they deserve a spot. Submissions should be emailed to Matthew@washingtonreporter.news with the subject line “NOMINATION FOR INFLUENTIAL ADVOCATE.”
THANKS FOR READING: President Donald Trump and the White House went on another spree of sharing articles in the Washington Reporter. Thanks for reading!
MUST-LISTEN: Reps. August Pfluger (R., Texas), Pat Harrigan (R., N.C.), and Sheri Biggs (R., S.C.) — all of whom are either military veterans or are actively serving in the reserves — did their first joint interview on the Republican Study Committee’s (RSC) Right to the Point podcast, where the conservative trip discussed 100 days of President Trump's term, investments in America thanks to this administration, the Democrats' scandals related to the border, and how the military is finally returning to its mission of readiness and lethality.
BASIC MATH: Attorney General Pam Bondi caught some flak for claiming that President Trump saved the lives of 258 million Americans — but her team did the math and it checks out. Gates McGavick, the Department of Justice’s Deputy Director of Public Affairs, noted that “3,400,000 grams of fentanyl seized in [Trump’s] first 100 days, multiplied by the current purity level of 0.1518, divided by 0.002 — the lethal amount per gram of fentanyl — [leads to] 258,060,000 lethal doses of fentanyl.”
CHECKING IN: Rep. Steve Scalise (R., La.) met with President Donald Trump today.
DEAL MADE: Congress’s national security experts lauded the Trump administration’s success in striking a deal with Ukraine about mineral rights. “Peace, at long last, is within reach,” Rep. Zach Nunn (R., Iowa) said. “This represents not only a concrete step towards peace, but a commitment from both sides to work closely to hold Moscow accountable and isolate Putin if he refuses to join the President in negotiating an end to this war.” Nunn is the chairman of the Republican Study Committee’s (RSC) National Security Task Force.
HISTORIC NUMBERS: The Senate Foreign Relations Committee (SFRC) approved 16 of Trump's nominees within his first 100 days back in office. The Biden administration had only confirmed 7 in that same timeframe.
BACKUP HAS ARRIVED: Sen. Bill Cassidy’s (R., La.) proposed reforms to the controversial 340B program were lauded by industry experts and conservatives alike. The Reporter covered their reactions here.
ROLLOUT: Americans for Prosperity (AFP) rolled out a nationwide ad targeting the “trillions of dollars recklessly spent for Green New Deal cronyism under the Biden administration.”
100 DAYS OF AN AMERICA FIRST STATE DEPARTMENT: Secretary of State Marco Rubio joined Substack! In one of his first-ever posts, he outlined what State has already gotten done for the American taxpayer.
STEFANIK SURGING: Rep. Elise Stefanik (R., N.Y.) would start off with a nearly-insurmountable lead in a GOP primary for Governor of New York, should she run. Stefanik is also nearly tied with the state’s unpopular and controversial incumbent, Gov. Kathy Hochul (D., N.Y.). This poll, which the Reporter covered here, comes as top Republicans are urging Rep. Mike Lawler (R., N.Y.) to run for reelection in his competitive district.
A message from our sponsor.
Medicaid helps keep more than 30 million children across America healthy, including nearly half of all children with special needs. These children rely on Medicaid for everything from regular checkups to life-saving surgeries.
Congress should vote against efforts to reduce Medicaid funding and instead focus on policies that strengthen access to 24/7 care.
Editorial: The New York Times’s curious timing in targeting Realtors
by the Washington Reporter Editorial Board
The National Association of Realtors (NAR), a bipartisan organization representing 1.5 million real estate professionals, has found itself in the crosshairs of the New York Times.
Just days after the NAR launched an ad campaign praising the 2017 tax cuts for bolstering the housing industry and supporting small businesses, the Times released a podcast branding the group as “nefarious” and a “cartel.” The timing raises questions about the motives behind this latest salvo in the Times’ ongoing crusade against the NAR.
The 2017 tax reforms, championed by President Donald Trump, lowered rates for individuals and small businesses, delivering tangible benefits to realtors and homebuyers alike. The NAR’s ads, which highlighted these gains, were a clear endorsement of policies that have fueled economic growth and homeownership — policies Trump has consistently celebrated, once calling the NAR a “great business” that helps “millions of families.”
Yet, the Times’s podcast, part of a series of critical pieces on the NAR, seems less like journalism and more like a calculated response to the group’s support for a Republican-led achievement.
Republican officials have rightly called out this suspicious timing.
“It’s no coincidence the New York Times is targeting an organization that supports low taxes,” a senior Congressional official noted. A Senate committee staffer echoed this sentiment, suggesting to the Reporter that the Times is sending a warning to any group daring to back tax cuts or Trump’s agenda. Even a source close to the White House didn’t mince words, framing the podcast as the “liberal Times mad about Trump’s 2024 win.”
The irony is hard to ignore. The Times’s podcast urged listeners to distrust real estate industry studies because they’re produced by those with “vested interests.” Yet, the Times itself is no stranger to advocacy dressed as journalism. Its repeated focus on the NAR — through multiple articles by the same reporter and now this podcast — suggests an agenda that goes beyond fair scrutiny.
If the Times wants to lecture about bias, it might start by examining its own.
EXCLUSIVE: Sen. Lankford unveiling legislation to reverse Biden-era anti-energy regulations and unleash American energy
by Matthew Foldi
THE LOWDOWN:
Sen. James Lankford (R., Okla.) is leading a trio of Republican congressmen in introducing legislation that would both supercharge President Donald Trump’s agenda to unleash American energy.
The Transparency and Honesty in Energy Regulations Act will bolster President Trump’s “Unleashing American Energy” plan and eradicate the flawed “social cost” of greenhouse gases of the Biden administration.
Joining Lankford in rolling out the bill are Reps. Richard Hudson (R., N.C.), Rep. August Pfluger (R., Texas), and Troy Balderson (R., Ohio).
That group’s calculations were “marked by logical deficiencies and [politicization],” Lankford’s office noted, and “were cited in number rulemakings, guidance, and agency actions undertaken by the Biden administration.”
Sen. James Lankford (R., Okla.) is leading a trio of Republican congressmen in introducing legislation that would both supercharge President Donald Trump’s agenda to unleash American energy.
The Transparency and Honesty in Energy Regulations Act, exclusively obtained by the Washington Reporter, will bolster President Trump’s “Unleashing American Energy” plan and eradicate the flawed “social cost” of greenhouse gases of the Biden administration.
Joining Lankford in rolling out the bill are Reps. Richard Hudson (R., N.C.), Rep. August Pfluger (R., Texas), and Troy Balderson (R., Ohio).
Pfluger is the chairman of the conservative Republican Study Committee (RSC) and Balderson heads the RSC’s House Energy Action Team (HEAT) — meaning the bill already has a lot of oomph behind it.
“Under President Trump, American energy dominance is back, and states like Oklahoma are fueling the charge,” said Lankford. “This bill pushes back on the Biden Administration’s war on American energy producers by ensuring federal rulemaking is grounded in facts—not flawed models or political agendas. It’s a necessary step to restore transparency, rein in government overreach, and keep American energy competitive.”
The Republicans’ bill follows closely with Trump’s pro-American energy agenda.
The president kickstarted his plan on day one of his second term by signing the “Unleashing American Energy” Executive Order, disbanding the Interagency Working Group on the Social Cost of Greenhouse gases.
That group’s calculations were “marked by logical deficiencies and [politicization],” Lankford’s office noted, and “were cited in number rulemakings, guidance, and agency actions undertaken by the Biden administration.”
This new legislation “will put an end to [the Biden administration’s] madness and unleash a new era of American energy dominance,” Pfluger told the Reporter.
SCOOP: American girl kidnapped by Hamas receives hero's welcome from House lawmakers: "This is not partisan"
by Matthew Foldi
THE LOWDOWN:
On October 7th, 2023, Palestinian terrorists murdered the parents of American-Israeli citizen Abigail Mor Edan in front of her eyes, as they rampaged across southern Israel.
Edan, a toddler drenched in her father’s blood, ran to her neighbors’ house, only to be kidnapped by terrorists and held hostage in Gaza for 51 days.
Now six years old, Edan received a hero’s welcome on Capitol Hill at an event held in her honor.
The event, hosted by Reps. Ritchie Torres (D., N.Y.) and Mike Lawler (R., N.Y.), saw attendance by legislators from across America, including freshman members and Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi (D., Calif.).
On October 7th, 2023, Palestinian terrorists murdered the parents of American-Israeli citizen Abigail Mor Edan in front of her eyes, as they rampaged across southern Israel.
The October 7th attacks by Hamas became the deadliest day in Jewish history since the Holocaust. The attack was also the deadliest terrorist attack against American citizens since September 11th, 2001.
Edan, a toddler drenched in her father’s blood, ran to her neighbors’ house, only to be kidnapped by terrorists and held hostage in Gaza for 51 days.
Now six years old, Edan received a hero’s welcome on Capitol Hill at an event held in her honor.
The event, hosted by Reps. Ritchie Torres (D., N.Y.) and Mike Lawler (R., N.Y.), saw attendance by legislators from across America, including freshman members and Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi (D., Calif.).
Pelosi spoke with Edan and her extended family and friends from Israel about their travails.
“This is not partisan,” Pelosi told the Washington Reporter. Torres echoed the need for bipartisanship in his remarks to the Reporter as well.
“Abigail Edan embodies the pure innocence caught in the middle of unimaginable violence on October 7,” Torres told the Reporter.
“I was honored to bring Abigail and her extended family to Capitol Hill to meet with a bipartisan group of my colleagues, so that they could both recount the horrors she endured, but also to demonstrate her perseverance,” the New York Democrat continued. “Abigail reminded us all of the humanity of the hostages and the urgent need to bring every last one home."
Rep. Randy Fine (R., Fla.), who recently won a special election to succeed Mike Waltz, told the Reporter following the event that “Congress needs to make sure the United States never sends another dime to the Muslim demons that did this to her and America needs to support decisive military action to free the rest of the hostages.”
“Bombs away,” he added.
SCOOP: Texas takeover: Ted Cruz is first sitting senator with a nationally syndicated radio show
by Matthew Foldi
THE LOWDOWN:
Sen. Ted Cruz (R., Texas) is taking his podcast to a new level and becoming the first sitting senator to host a nationally syndicated radio show in the process.
Cruz and Premiere Networks, a subsidiary of iHeartMedia, announced that Cruz’s Verdict with Ted Cruz podcast will air on over 100 radio stations, from Alaska to Florida.
Premiere Networks’s decision to syndicate Cruz’s podcast isn’t a shock. In recent weeks, he’s had Elon Musk, Attorney General Pam Bondi, and EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin on as guests.
Cruz’s co-host, Ben Ferguson, noted that other radio legends, like Sean Hannity, sent their “warm wishes” to Cruz in advance of the big announcement.
Sen. Ted Cruz (R., Texas) is taking his podcast to a new level and becoming the first sitting senator to host a nationally syndicated radio show in the process.
Cruz and Premiere Networks, a subsidiary of iHeartMedia, announced that Cruz’s Verdict with Ted Cruz podcast will air on over 100 radio stations, from Alaska to Florida.
Cruz launched Verdict in 2020, and it regularly charts in the top 200 podcasts every week. In addition to his day job as a legislator, Cruz releases Verdict episodes three times a week. It has amassed over 28 million views on YouTube and hundreds of millions across other platforms.
“Verdict gives listeners a behind-the-scenes look at what’s really happening in Washington, D.C., and we’re excited to begin reaching even more people across the country who are hungry for in-depth conversations on the most important issues facing our nation,” Cruz said about the news.
His podcast’s success is greater than he could have imagined, he said.
SCOOP: "This is a pro-family administration": Rep. Stephanie Bice unveils nationwide paid family leave legislation, believes Trump can help get it passed
by Matthew Foldi
THE LOWDOWN:
After years of work, Rep. Stephanie Bice (R., Okla.) unveiled a bipartisan bill, which would establish the first nationwide paid family leave framework.
Bice told the Washington Reporter that she thinks that President Donald Trump can finally make this policy happen.
Bice called the move “another step in that process” and that she is “excited to work with the Trump administration on this.”
Bice and Houlahan were joined by Reps. Jimmy Gomez (D., Calif) — who noted in his remarks at their press conference that this might have been his first-ever bipartisan press conference — and Julia Letlow (R., La.), Mariannette Miller-Meeks (R., Iowa), and Don Beyer (D., Va.).
After years of work, Rep. Stephanie Bice (R., Okla.) unveiled a bipartisan bill, which would establish the first nationwide paid family leave framework.
Bice told the Washington Reporter that she thinks that President Donald Trump can finally make this policy happen.
“The Trump administration had already been working on this in Trump 45,” Bice said, adding that Ivanka Trump had been particularly involved.
“I’m excited to pick up the mantle on this and support it,” Bice continued. “This is a pro-family administration, it is one that wants to see us raise families, to help moms and dads who are thinking about having a family or expanding their family.”
“We’ve seen some conversations about other programs that they are looking at to consider incentivizing families to grow,” she added.
Bice called the move “another step in that process” and that she is “excited to work with the Trump administration on this.”
“JD Vance has also mentioned that he’s very interesting in seeing something done. As the dad of three kids, he knows what it’s like to juggle that family life,” she said. “This is a great day for America.”
Bice’s More Paid Leave for More Americans Act would do exactly what its subject says: “this legislation establishes a competitive grant program to be run by the U.S. Department of Labor,” her office noted.
“Specifically, this would be a three-year pilot program that creates a modest incentive for states to establish their own paid family leave programs that use a public-private partnership model,” they said.
“This bill is not a mandate,” Bice explained. “It is an incentive that recognizes that states are already leading the way in this space.”
The bill, Bice explained, costs taxpayers $0, because it is funded entirely by 9 different pay-fors that total $500.5 million. One source of funds was cutting back funds from golf courses funded by the Department of Defense.
K-STREET, 10,000 FEET:
Sen. Cassidy's plan to reform hospitals lauded by industry experts, conservatives
by Matthew Foldi
THE LOWDOWN:
Sen. Bill Cassidy (R., La.), a physician by trade and the chair of the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee, unveiled a report just in time for congressional reconciliation.
Cassidy’s report showcases rampant abuse in a controversial program that was initially intended to help hospitals get discounted prescription medication to lower-income patients.
Gentry Collins, the CEO of the American Free Enterprise Chamber of Commerce, noted to the Reporter that “340B is the perfect example of Washington dysfunction” due to “its lack of transparency and potential for abuse.”
More broadly, economists like Steve Forbes caution that “there is no transparency or accountability for how 340B hospitals spend the windfall they take in from government-dictated discounts.”
Sen. Bill Cassidy (R., La.), a physician by trade and the chair of the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee, unveiled a report just in time for congressional reconciliation.
Cassidy’s report showcases rampant abuse in a controversial program that was initially intended to help hospitals get discounted prescription medication to lower-income patients.
The 340B program, Cassidy’s report found, does not always “truly benefit low-income and uninsured patients, with some studies suggesting that the 340B benefit does not translate into increased care or lower costs for vulnerable populations.”
Among Cassidy’s high-profile findings were that “Bon Secours Mercy Health and Cleveland Clinic, both hospital covered entities, generated hundreds of millions of dollars in 340B revenue, but do not pass 340B discounts directly to their patients.”
“They also differ on how patients receive discounts on their 340B drugs. Additionally, these hospitals report using 340B revenue on ‘capital improvement projects’ and ‘community benefit programs,’ but do not account for what specific expenses 340B revenue goes towards,” the report reads.
This, health care experts told the Washington Reporter, isn’t necessarily surprising.
“This report confirms that hospitals and pharmacy benefit managers are exploiting the 340B program while providing little to no benefit to patients,” Terry Wilcox, the co-founder at Patients Rising, said. “We commend Chairman Bill Cassidy for standing up for patients and working to bring transparency to the broken 340B program.”
Gentry Collins, the CEO of the American Free Enterprise Chamber of Commerce, noted to the Reporter that “340B is the perfect example of Washington dysfunction” due to “its lack of transparency and potential for abuse.”
OPINIONATED
Op-Ed: Rep. Kevin Kiley and Isabel Soto: The future of work is flexible
by Rep. Kevin Kiley and Isabel Soto
The American labor force and its success is possible in large part due to the enduring American entrepreneurial spirit and belief that an individual can flourish by his or her efforts, work, and unique talents.
This is particularly evident now, with the continued increase in independent work, a model of work that exists outside the traditional employer-employee relationship. Independent work, also known as self-employment, independent contracting, or freelancing, allows individuals to work how and when they desire. This type of engagement with the labor market, however, is constantly stifled and challenged by an outdated regulatory system.
That’s why introducing the Modern Worker Empowerment Act (H.R. 1319) and the Modern Worker Security Act (H.R. 1320) are such important steps. These two bills seek to modernize outdated labor laws, clarify worker classification, and remove legal challenges and reclassification risk if portable benefits models are provided to independent workers.
The need for legislation that provides legal clarity and flexibility for workers is urgent. The Biden administration in March of 2024 finalized a Department of Labor rule that replaces a straightforward test with a vague, six-factor framework, giving regulators broad discretion to reclassify independent contractors as employees. While the intent may be to protect workers, the actual effect is to threaten the livelihoods of millions who rely on flexible work to support themselves and their families.
By 2027, an estimated 86 million Americans will be engaged in independent work. These individuals choose this path not because they’re forced to but because it offers autonomy, supplemental income, and the ability to shape a work life that fits their needs. For caregivers, people with disabilities, seniors, and parents of young children, independent work often provides the only viable way to stay attached to the labor force.
Communities of color, in particular, see gains and increased flexibility through engagement in independent work. Roughly 50 percent of Hispanics, 40 percent of Black Americans, and 35 percent of Asian Americans participate in independent work. It’s no surprise that organizations like the U.S. Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, the Black Chamber of Commerce, and Asian American groups have voiced strong opposition to state-level and federal efforts that restrict this model.
These bills directly address the two most significant challenges independent workers face — lack of legal clarity regarding classification criteria and limited access to benefits.
Op-Ed: Rep. Troy Nehls: Why Texas's Matagorda County is America's innovation county
by Rep. Troy Nehls
Texas embodies a legacy of independence and industriousness, nowhere more evident than in our energy sector. This state leads the nation in energy production and employment, accounting for roughly one-quarter of America’s domestically sourced primary energy. We proudly bear this distinction, and I carry it as the representative of Texas’s 22nd Congressional District. My constituents have entrusted me to advocate for policies that safeguard our communities’ prosperity, both in the immediate term and for decades to come.
Under President Donald Trump’s leadership — and with a Republican-led Congress — I am confident that we can forge a comprehensive and innovative energy dominance strategy that maximizes America’s potential, maintains affordability and reliability, and advances our national security interests. Such an approach is not merely aspirational — it is imperative.
Matagorda County: A catalyst for American energy leadership
Texas is the global hub of a new energy economy, delivering long-term, strategic economic benefits to our state and our country. The result? Billions in investments and thousands of new jobs. Fortunately, the congressional district I am proud to represent includes Matagorda County, Texas, which stands ready to host new energy and petrochemical production facilities. This community’s capacity to drive innovation positions it as a linchpin in our quest to achieve global energy dominance. Recent advances in nuclear power, manufacturing, electricity generation, and e-Fuels are taking root here, signaling a new chapter in American energy development and leadership.
These projects are more than local triumphs; taken together they represent a strategic opportunity. By harnessing innovations like hydrogen, e-Fuels, nuclear power, and geothermal energy, the U.S. can bolster energy supplies for our allies, attract global investment in energy and manufacturing, and reassert our leadership against China’s energy ambitions. Matagorda County would become the epicenter of an energy renaissance, one that meets our domestic needs while fostering economic stability worldwide.
The HIF Matagorda e-Fuels facility exemplifies this potential. Upon completion, the HIF project will be the world's first large-scale e-Fuels facility producing e-Methanol, with an anticipated output of 1.4 million tons annually. That represents a nearly 25 percent increase in U.S. methanol production. E-Fuels are synthetic hydrocarbons produced from air and water. They are chemically identical to traditional fossil fuels, and can be used in existing cars, ships, and planes with no changes to engines or infrastructure. This is the type of energy ingenuity that America needs.
Beyond its technological significance, the HIF project promises substantial economic benefits: more than 4,000 jobs during construction, with enduring employment gains for Matagorda County and South Texas.
Op-Ed: Jahan Wilcox: Trump’s bold energy and AI push could be undermined by a Texas bill
by Jahan Wilcox
Last Wednesday, President Donald Trump proposed an emergency permitting overhaul that would slash federal approval times for energy and mining projects to just 28 days. It’s the kind of bold, pro-growth reform that defines his America First agenda: cutting red tape, fueling energy independence, and positioning the U.S. as a global leader in emerging technologies like artificial intelligence.
As the former spokesman for the Environmental Protection Agency during President Trump’s first term, I saw firsthand how conservative leadership can streamline regulation while protecting the environment. We proved energy dominance and environmental stewardship are not opposing goals, they're complimentary when guided by common sense and innovation.
Unfortunately, some in Texas are charting a different course. Texas Senate Bill 6 (SB6), currently advancing in Austin, runs counter to everything President Trump is championing. Instead of unleashing growth, it burdens it especially in one of the most strategically important sectors of our economy: AI data infrastructure.
SB6 tacks on an additional six-month review process for data centers on top of an already lengthy 6–18-month timeline. The result? Developers could be waiting up to two years just to break ground. That’s not just inefficient — it’s economically disastrous.
Companies like OpenAI, Oracle, and others backing Trump’s $500 billion “Stargate” AI initiative aren’t going to wait around. Time is money. And in a global arms race for AI supremacy, it’s also national security.
