The Iran conflict has delivered an uncomfortable reminder that energy is not an environmental talking point but a matter of national survival. Nations without reliable, affordable energy do not just struggle economically. They become vulnerable. Yet even as missiles fly and shipping lanes tighten, the green energy chorus is back at the microphone insisting this is finally the moment the world abandons fossil fuels for wind turbines and solar panels. Some lessons, apparently, are harder to learn than others. Today, fossil fuels supply more than 86% of the world’s primary energy. After decades of aggressive renewable investments, green mandates, subsidies, and relentless political pressure, the needle has barely moved. Physics and economics have been delivering a message for years that policymakers keep refusing to read. Wind and solar energy’s core problem is reliability; they produce energy only when conditions cooperate. The wind doesn’t blow on command. The sun often sets before peak demand. Every megawatt of wind or solar added to the grid requires reliable natural gas, coal, or nuclear backup standing ready. We are not replacing one energy system (which would be expensive enough). We are building two. Ratepayers pay for both. That is why electricity bills rise wherever renewable mandates expand aggressively. Just like adding a weather-dependent, part-time car to your home car fleet, your car costs just went up; the more part-time cars you add, the more your car expenses go up. The battery storage solution sounds elegant until you price it out. Backing up even a fraction of America’s grid would cost hundreds of billions annually, for decades. The minerals required like lithium, cobalt, nickel, copper, and rare-earth metals do not exist in sufficient domestic or worldwide supply, and roughly 80% of solar panels and the majority of wind components are manufactured in China—in factories powered by Chinese coal. China uses more than half of the nearly nine billion tons of coal used worldwide each year, and is building hundreds of coal plants, which last more than 40 years. We would be trading American energy independence for Chinese energy dependency and calling it a climate victory. That is hardly a transition. It is rather a surrender, just with better branding. We would be surrendering our energy independence to our biggest economic and military rival. Communist China is a proven bully on the international stage, willing to use any leverage it has to accomplish what it wants. We do not have to guess at the outcomes. Europe is running this disastrous experiment for us, and the results are in: Germany, the U.K., and Denmark have electricity rates nearly triple what American families pay. Germany pays roughly 35 to 40 cents per kilowatt-hour, and Denmark tops 40 cents. Meanwhile, Americans average around 15 cents. That gap ripples through every manufactured product, service delivered, and paycheck earned. High energy costs leave less in every household budget for other priorities that cost more because of higher energy costs, carbon taxes, and climate regulations. The human cost is real and mounting. Germany’s legendary industrial base of steel, chemicals, and automobiles is contracting, shedding a quarter million jobs. Manufacturers have relocated or shuttered rather than absorb energy costs that make production economically irrational. The U.K. has watched its steel industry collapse. Across Europe, working families are spending a larger share of their incomes keeping the lights on and the heat running, leaving less for everything else. This is what energy poverty looks like in wealthy nations. It is a policy choice with predictable consequences. Wind turbines also wear out after 20-25 years, and solar panels degrade after 25-30. They are not permanent solutions—they are expensive, requiring perpetual replacement. And it’s billed to ratepayers, all while demanding ten times more land than conventional power plants for unreliable output. America’s energy record is genuinely strong. Air and water quality have improved dramatically over the last 50 years even as energy use has grown. Market-driven efficiency did more for the environment than mandates ever managed. Nuclear power deserves serious reconsideration. Honest energy policy requires honest accounting. The transition being promised to American families is expensive, unnecessary, and degrades national security that the Iran conflict makes impossible to ignore. Reliable, affordable energy is the foundation of every family’s budget, every factory’s survival, and every nation’s ability to defend itself. Europe tried it first and is paying for it now. The question is whether Americans are paying attention. We publish a variety of perspectives. Nothing written here is to be construed as representing the views of The Daily Signal.

Republican Sen. Jim Banks of Indiana directed $3 million from his 501(c)(4) organization, Hoosier Leadership for America, to primary challengers of GOP state senators who opposed a redistricting plan supported by President Donald Trump that could have netted the GOP two additional House seats. On Tuesday night, at least five of those seven senators were defeated. “Everyone in Indiana politics should have learned an important lesson today: President Trump is the single most popular Republican among Hoosier voters,” Banks told The Daily Signal. “Indiana is a conservative state, and we deserve conservatives in our State Senate who deserve a pulse on our Republican voters.” Among those targeted were state Sens. Travis Holdman, James Buck, Greg Goode, Greg Walker, and Spencer Deery, whose opposition helped derail a Trump‑backed push to redraw congressional district lines, exposing sharp divisions within the party. While Deery kept his seat, Holdman, Buck, State Sens. Linda Rogers, Dan Dernulc, Rick Niemeyer and Greg Walker were successfully defeated by Trump and Banks’ opposition. The redistricting effort, which gained traction in late 2025, was strongly backed by Trump and national conservatives but ultimately failed in the Indiana Senate. Twenty-one Republican lawmakers resisted reopening district boundaries, and reports indicated party leaders abandoned the effort after internal disagreements stalled momentum. Banks’ intervention reflects growing frustration among conservatives who view the vote as a missed opportunity to solidify Republican power in Congress. “It was an honor to be trusted by President Trump with the important political work of electing conservative Republicans who support his agenda, and I’m proud to say that we delivered,” Banks added. “I look forward to fighting for an America First agenda in Indiana alongside many newly elected conservative state senators,” Banks continued. “Now, we can turn our attention to the hard work of the general election, and putting as many Republicans in office across the state as possible,” Banks added. The dispute has also placed pressure on Indiana’s top GOP leadership. Sen. Todd Young, Gov. Mike Braun, and former Gov. Mitch Daniels have drawn criticism from conservatives over the failed redistricting push. Trump publicly criticized Young’s political circle, including consultant Cam Savage, for opposing the plan. He also expressed disappointment in Braun, saying, “I got that guy elected, and he couldn’t deliver redistricting.” While redistricting efforts in Indiana stalled, the Democrats successfully redistricted in California solely on the basis of race and potentially added an extra five House seats for the Democratic Party. House Democratic Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., is now calling on the New York State Assembly to do the same. A Democrat-sponsored redistricting referendum in Virginia that aims to turn four of the five GOP seats in the Commonwealth blue passed in April but faces an uphill battle in state court. Meanwhile, on Monday, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis signed into law a new redistricting map for the Sunshine State that could potentially flip four congressional seats red.

President Donald Trump says he is putting on pause his “Project Freedom” operation to restore commerce in the Strait of Hormuz, instead seeking to finalize a deal with Iranian officials for longer term stability in the global shipping lane. Citing as his motivation “Great Progress” in talks with Iran, Trump wrote on Truth Social on Tuesday, “Project Freedom (The Movement of Ships through the Strait of Hormuz) will be paused for a short period of time to see whether or not the Agreement can be finalized and signed.” Trump’s remarks came shortly after Secretary of War Pete Hegseth had laid out the Project Freedom operation to the public, declaring Iran’s attempt to shut down the global shipping lane blunted. Hegseth had attempted to draw a distinction on Monday between the previous hostilities of Epic Fury, and the Project Freedom operations in the strait. The secretary argued that the ceasefire with Iran continues, despite the United States’ sinking of Iranian vessels in the strait and Iranian strikes on the United Arab Emirates. On Wednesday morning, Trump urged Iran to accept the American offer as a path to ending the conflict. “Assuming Iran agrees to give what has been agreed to, which is, perhaps, a big assumption, the already legendary Epic Fury will be at an end, and the highly effective Blockade will allow the Hormuz Strait to be OPEN TO ALL, including Iran,” Trump wrote on Truth Social. “If they don’t agree, the bombing starts, and it will be, sadly, at a much higher level and intensity than it was before,” he added. On Tuesday, Secretary of State Marco Rubio told reporters that the United States is seeking an assurance of Iran’s willingness to make concessions. The administration has declared its desire to prevent Iran from being able to obtain a nuclear weapon. “This is highly complex and technical,” said Rubio. “But we have to have a diplomatic solution that is very clear on the topics they are willing to negotiate on and the extent of the concessions they are willing to make at the front end in order to make it worthwhile.” 

It was primary day in Ohio on Tuesday, with results coming in for several key races that could affect the midterms—especially control of the U.S. House. Republican Derek Merrin is set to face Ohio Democratic U.S. Rep. Marcy Kaptur in November after winning Ohio’s 9th Congressional District last night. Kaptur has represented the district since 1983, which makes her the longest-serving woman in Congress. While Kaptur did not have a primary challenger this year, Merrin came close to ousting her in 2024. As of Wednesday morning, with 99% of the vote reporting, Merrin has won 44.1%. The Associated Press called the race approximately two hours after polls closed. WASHINGTON (AP) — Derek Merrin wins Republican nomination for U.S. House in Ohio's 9th Congressional District. #APRaceCall at 9:34 p.m. EDT. https://t.co/TS3eIpQI5W— AP Race Calls (@AP_RaceCalls) May 6, 2026 State Rep. Josh Williams came in second with 25.3%, followed by Madison Sheahan at 20.2%. Alea Nadeem and Anthony Campbell finished fourth and fifth, respectively. Williams and Sheahan each won a county, however, with Williams winning Paulding County by 19%, and Sheahan narrowly besting Merrin for Ottawa County. Merrin won the 2024 primary by a larger margin, though he had a less crowded primary. He would go on to lose the general election to Kaptur by 0.7%, while President Donald Trump, who endorsed Merrin in February of that year, won the district by almost 7% against then Vice President Kamala Harris. Shortly after the AP called the race, Merrin’s campaign released a statement. “I’m honored by the support we received from Conservatives across Northwest Ohio. Northwest Ohio is ready for fresh new leadership. That’s why we are going to defeat Marcy Kaptur this November,” Merrin said. Even before emerging victorious on Tuesday, Merrin had been going after Kaptur in his social media posts. “After decades in Washington, she’s part of the problem—not the solution. Our campaign offers a clear alternative: new leadership, a focus on lowering costs, supporting law and order, and putting Northwest Ohio first. Tonight is the beginning,” he wrote. A press release from the Merrin campaign also touted the Republican nominee’s record while calling out Kaptur. “Merrin has a proven record of fighting for Northwest Ohio. In the House, he fought to cut taxes, lower prices, eliminate wasteful spending, and stand up for Ohio workers. Merrin will bring fresh new leadership to a region of the state that has been forgotten by Marcy Kaptur and the Washington establishment,” the press release said. Merrin also shared on X a screenshot of NBC News coverage declaring him the primary winner, stressing “It’s Time for New Leadership.” It’s Time for New Leadership. I’m humbled by the support across NW Ohio tonight. Let’s Finish the Mission! pic.twitter.com/JN27NE9kA8— Derek Merrin (@DerekMerrin) May 6, 2026 Kaptur released a statement of her own. “Northwest Ohio has always been my home, and the people here have always been my priority,” Kaptur said. “I will never stop fighting to lower costs, protect the health care and Social Security working families have earned, and hold anyone accountable who puts special interests ahead of the hardworking families I am honored to serve. That’s the choice in this election — a fighter who shows up for Northwest Ohio, or a self-serving politician who has spent his career showing up for himself.” Kaptur is heading toward the general election in a position of strength, including $3 million cash on hand and grassroots support across all 10 counties of Ohio’s new 9th District. Kaptur also has incumbent status. The 22-term Democratic congresswoman could benefit from a midterm with a Republican president in office. A saving grace for Merrin, however, might be that Ohio’s 9th Congressional District was recently redistricted to favor Republicans. Ohio was required to redraw its maps, and an agreement was reached late last October.

The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission sued The New York Times on Tuesday for allegedly discriminating against a white male editor applying for a promotion, whom it claims was passed over in favor of a less-qualified nonwhite female. The EEOC alleged in a press release that the Times was devoted to DEI policies, short for diversity, equity, and inclusion. “No one is above the law — including ‘elite’ institutions. There is no such thing as ‘reverse discrimination;’ all race or sex discrimination is equally unlawful, according to long-established civil rights principles,” EEOC Chair Andrea Lucas said in a public statement. She added, “no matter the size or power of the employer, the EEOC under my leadership will not pull punches.” “Federal law is clear: making hiring or promotion decisions motivated in whole or in part by race or sex violates federal law,” Lucas said. “There is no diversity exception to this rule.” The EEOC’s lawsuit alleges the Times excluded a white male New York Times editor with experience in real estate journalism from its final panel interviews for a vacant deputy real estate editor position in early 2025. None of the candidates who advanced to the final interview process were white males. The Times hired an outside candidate for the job who was a nonwhite female, according to the lawsuit. The agency further alleges the hire advanced to the final interview panel without going through the company’s standard interview processes for the position. A New York Times spokesperson said the company “categorically rejects the politically motivated allegations brought by the Trump administration’s EEOC.” “Our employment practices are merit-based and focused on recruiting and promoting the best talent in the world. We will defend ourselves vigorously,” a New York Times spokesperson said in an email response to an inquiry for this story. “The allegation centers on a single personnel decision for one of over 100 deputy positions across the newsroom, yet the EEOC’s filing makes sweeping claims that ignore the facts to fit a predetermined narrative,” the statement continues. “Neither race nor gender played a role in this decision – we hired the most qualified candidate, and she is an excellent editor.”