Fmr. Rep. Patrick Murphy: To bounce back, Democrats need an ‘All of the Above’ Energy Policy
Writing in PhillyBurbs, former U.S. Representative Patrick Murphy (D-PA) reflected on the Democrats’ disappointing 2024 election cycle, and what his party can learn from it. This past cycle, nearly three quarters of Americans ranked fortifying the U.S. economy as a top priority, as many voters felt enormous economic anxieties. Rep. Murphy noted that “too many Democrats” felt the negativity towards the economy were that of “bad luck,” the hangover or “COVID-era inflation,” and increases in prices. To change this sentiment, Rep. Murphy believes that adjustments in Democrats’ approach to some key economic issues must change – most notably their approach to energy, which should be top of the list in Pennsylvania.
“Look no further than the Biden administration’s decision to pause approvals for all new liquified natural gas exports,” Rep. Murphy wrote in his piece. Pennsylvania is the second-largest producer of natural gas in the country, thanks to its plethora of natural resources, and the energy industry employs thousands of people across the state. The pause on LNG export permits was a direct signal to these workers that their futures in oil and gas were in doubt. While some Democrats in D.C. “may not have understood the ramifications,” of such a move, Pennsylvania’s Democratic Senators did, releasing a joint statement opposing the policy.
Actions such as the LNG pause go further than just impacting jobs. Low-income households spend an average of 17.8 percent of their income on energy alone, almost four times the national average, Rep. Murphy noted. While success in 2026 and 2028 for Democrats will require a rethinking of some energy policy, this does not mean they should abandon renewables. “In fact, an all-of-the-above energy strategy could make voters more likely to support public policies aimed at generating more renewable energy. With more and more data centers coming online, the U.S. and the world will continue to need more energy, not less,” Rep. Murphy concluded. While energy is not the only issue, it affects all Americans’ cost of living, and should be a central part of the economic conversation heading forward.