Scrutiny Is Coming for Big Businesses, from the Next Congress to 2028

Democrats won solid majorities on Capitol Hill as voters demanded action on AI’s electricity costs, children’s online safety and alleged corruption tied to federal contracts and President Donald Trump’s family business dealings.

On both sides of the aisle, voters’ priorities give lawmakers incentives to scrutinize corporate behavior and coziness with Washington, leaving a wide range of industries facing the potential spotlight.

Our research shows where that pressure could land — and why it may carry into the open 2028 presidential campaign.

Big businesses will face the heat in the next Congress. Morning Consult clients can download the full report here

On Capitol Hill, voters want AI cost protections and safeguards

Requiring AI data centers to pay for the added electricity infrastructure they need was a top priority for 52% of voters—the highest share among a list of actions tested. Safety testing of advanced AI models followed at 48%, with a ban on congressional trading of individual stocks at 46%.

Top priorities for the next Congress

Share calling each action a top priority

Legislation isn’t the only way Congress can go after corporate America.

On the oversight front, investigations into the effect of AI data centers on household electricity costs were a top or important priority for 3 in 4 voters, alongside a similar share prioritizing a probe of how technology companies protect children’s safety and privacy online. Another 7 in 10 want investigations into federal contracts and financial assistance to private companies.

On the left, Democrats face pressure from their base to pursue a broad impeachment probe. But the Democratic base also joins more than half of voters overall in prioritizing inquiries into the president’s business dealings, including his crypto ties.

What’s coming

Businesses are primed to face the spotlight.

Our research ranks multiple issues relating to business scrutiny as high priority items ahead of the 2028 presidential cycle, which begins sooner than you might think. Both parties are fighting over voters’ trust on these issues after Trump’s second term tanked the GOP’s economic brand. This means candidates and lawmakers on both sides are incentivized to put corporate actors under scrutiny in the search for voters’ confidence.

Corporations should expect candidates to fine tune and test their messaging on these issues, both on Capitol Hill and in highly-watched, competitive 2028 primaries as Democrats and Republicans look to remake their brands for the upcoming post-Trump era.

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