Elizabeth Warren Is Ready To Go Big Against Corporate America

Brace yourself for the most progressive — and aggressive — Senate Banking Committee chair in decades.

Elizabeth Warren, the longtime Wall Street antagonist poised to take over the Banking panel next year, is preparing a sweeping policy and oversight agenda that will put her in a key position to influence the Democratic Party’s debate over economic populism ahead of 2028.

According to an initial rundown of her plans provided to POLITICO by a Warren Banking aide, the Massachusetts Democrat is preparing to use her new perch to confront corporate America on multiple fronts, from investigations to legislation aimed at curbing corporate power. As Banking chair, Warren will be in charge of a wide-ranging policy portfolio that includes banking, housing, cryptocurrency, the Federal Reserve and more.

Wall Street giants, Big Tech executives and businesses tied to President Donald Trump’s family are among the targets of her planned oversight blitz.

“Big Tech CEOs, Administration officials, Trump family crypto businesses, Wall Street executives, and giant corporations should preserve their documents and prepare to answer tough questions,” said the Banking aide, who was granted anonymity to relay unannounced plans.

Warren, who is also eyeing a more senior position in Senate Democratic leadership, also plans to pursue affordability-centered policies. Those plans, according to the aide, include capping credit card interest rates, cracking down on what she calls “corporate profiteering” and pursuing a new bipartisan housing bill with soon-to-be ranking member Tim Scott (R-S.C.). She’s also planning to continue teaming up with Republican China hawks to restrict exports of advanced AI chips, the aide said. Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang, a key figure in that push, is also expected to be a top oversight target.

The ambitious agenda is poised to test how far Democrats are willing to go in embracing bold populist ideas following their sweeping midterms victories.

Warren and her allies believe the party has a mandate to go big after running and winning in deep red states on a pledge to bring down costs and take on corporate power. Many incoming Senate Democrats — including James Talarico of Texas, Sherrod Brown of Ohio and even the more moderate Josh Turek of Iowa — leaned into the populist billionaire bashing that has long been a hallmark of Warren’s rhetoric during their campaigns. But it’s unclear how much appetite the more business-friendly wing of the party will have to take on big corporations in policy and oversight efforts over the next two years.

“Democrats won by recognizing Americans’ economic pain, denouncing Washington corruption that has made a rigged economy worse by favoring giant corporations over working people, and by pledging to upend this system,” Warren posted on X on Sunday. “Americans need Democrats to deliver now.”

Warren, who built her political career warning about the excesses of Wall Street, is also planning to sound the alarm about what she sees as emerging threats to financial stability — including the rapid growth of private credit and a potential AI bubble. She’s also eyeing prediction markets, where the Banking aide said Warren wants to end a “Wild West-style lack of oversight” that has allowed insiders to profit.

Affordability will be the organizing principle of Warren’s agenda, with plans to scrutinize everything from grocery prices and insurance premiums to private equity, consumer debt and student loans, the aide said.

“Warren is looking to focus on the issues that have been the focus of her career and drove the election outcomes across the country on Tuesday — making life more affordable for families across the country, reining in industries that are raising costs and undermining the financial security of Americans, and rooting out corruption,” the Banking aide said. “Warren will look to advance legislation on these issues and have a robust hearing schedule with the public and private sectors.”