In Thom Tillis and Don Bacon, Horrifically Unpopular Republican Rate Hike Bill Claims First Political Losses

Washington, D.C. – Thom Tillis announced his retirement today, following prominent House Republican moderate Don Bacon, bending to the political reality that’s been clear for months: Republicans will lose in 2026 if they raise costs on their constituents after promising to bring them down. The Big Beautiful Bill would hike energy costs and undermine U.S. energy independence on top of ripping away health care and giving tax breaks to billionaires.

Climate Power Communications Director Alex Glass issued the following statement: “Republicans in Congress face the same choice as Thom Tillis and Don Bacon when it comes to their historically unpopular Republican Rate Hike bill: vote to prevent energy costs from skyrocketing, or vote to send bills soaring and face defeat in 2026. Having run on promises to lower costs, if Republicans ignore reality by hiking rates to fund tax breaks for billionaires, their constituents will hear about it again, and again, and again between now and November of next year.”