Pennsylvania Democrats must stop playing politics and unleash American energy

Originally published in Broad + Liberty:

Democrats have a demographics problem. In November, voters, even those who historically back Democrats, shifted support to President Donald Trump, Sen. Dave McCormick, and other down-ballot Republicans. Election Day delivered a clear message to Democrats: change your progressive ways — or else.

Yet, Democrats in the Keystone State refuse to listen. Rather than respect voter pleas for common sense, Pennsylvania Democrats — especially those in the state House of Representatives — prefer playing political games, namely their manipulation of the lower chamber’s committee makeup for the new 2025–26 session.

On Jan. 7, Pennsylvania House leadership announced the split of the Environmental Resources and Energy Committee into two new standing committees: the Energy Committee (chaired by state Rep. Elizabeth Fiedler) and the Environmental and Natural Resources Protection Committee (chaired by state Rep. Greg Vitali). Democrats claim they intend to increase legislative output and address voter concerns more intentionally.

But this procedural shuffle has more to do with performative politics. House Democrats will maneuver legislation through these committees to appease two core constituencies: environmental extremists and labor unions.

Read more at Broad + Liberty.