Elizabeth Warren is expected to lead the Senate Banking Committee in January, bringing new scrutiny to Wall Street, the Trump administration, and tech companies. The Massachusetts Democrat plans to pursue housing affordability measures while expanding hearings and investigations into business practices and government ethics.
A person familiar with her plans said Warren wants to examine economic decisions she believes have raised consumer costs. Her role would give her a larger platform for legislation and oversight.
The agenda raises a central question: How much can tougher Senate scrutiny change the costs facing American households?
Warren plans to examine the conduct of large banks and corporate executives through committee hearings. The approach could revive annual appearances by major bank chief executives before congressional financial panels.
Such hearings were common when Democrats previously controlled Congress. They would give lawmakers opportunities to question executives about consumer protections. Stephen Biggar, a financial sector analyst at Argus Research, expects greater transparency and oversight. Still, he does not anticipate substantial new regulations resulting from the hearings.
Biggar said the committee may press for stronger consumer safeguards or seek to limit banks' market share. Blocking mergers could become one way to pursue that goal.
He noted concerns over the future of Republican-backed deregulation and lower bank capital requirements. Those policies could face renewed political challenges under Warren's leadership. The senator intends to protect the Federal Reserve from what she views as White House interference. Future nominees to the central bank would face review by her committee.
Earlier this year, Warren organized Democratic opposition to Kevin Warsh's nomination as Federal Reserve chair. That opposition delayed his eventual confirmation. James Angel, an associate professor at Georgetown University's McDonough School of Business, said hearings could inform the public and discourage misconduct.
Angel argued that testimony under oath creates accountability because witnesses risk perjury charges. He expects nominees facing the committee to encounter bipartisan scrutiny.
Housing costs will form part of Warren's legislative agenda. She plans to build on bipartisan work with Republican Senator Tim Scott.
This summer, Warren and Scott helped pass a housing bill. The measure encourages homebuilding, expands financing options and restricts large corporate investors from buying single-family homes.
Their cooperation offers a possible model for future housing measures. Warren is expected to continue efforts to address rising costs for households.
The senator also wants tougher scrutiny of private equity firms across industries. She argues that some investment practices contribute to higher prices for families.
Her focus on corporate ownership extends beyond the housing market. Committee investigations could examine how companies make decisions that affect consumer spending.
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Warren also plans oversight of prediction markets and platforms that offer election betting. Her stated aim is to prevent insider trading and market manipulation.
Before the midterm elections, she joined Republican Senator John Curtis in questioning Kalshi and Polymarket. Their letter asked how the platforms would stop people with private information from trading on election outcomes.
The senators specifically raised concerns about candidates and campaign staff. The inquiry sought explanations of safeguards against trades based on privileged knowledge.
Other areas of potential cooperation include controls on advanced artificial intelligence technology exports. Warren worked on three bipartisan bills this year targeting those risks.
One proposal would stop advanced AI chips from helping China develop dangerous systems. The measure forms part of her broader work with Republican lawmakers.
Credit card interest rates may provide another opening for agreement. Warren and President Donald Trump both support capping those rates.
Newly elected Democrats, including Texas Senator James Talarico, support such limits as well. The proposal could attract White House support despite broader disagreements over bank oversight
Warren's expected leadership of the Senate Banking Committee would expand scrutiny of Wall Street, federal appointments, and corporate practices. Her agenda centers on housing affordability, private equity, and election betting platforms. Bipartisan talks could advance AI export controls and credit card rate limits.