The Republican-controlled Senate in Georgia is advancing with a probe into Stacey Abrams, a prominent Democratic figure, amidst President Donald Trump’s critiques of her past gubernatorial campaigns. State Senator Bill Cowsert and his Republican colleagues are pushing for an investigation following ethics violations related to Abrams’ 2018 gubernatorial run and the New Georgia Project, an organization she founded. Cowsert emphasized the significance of transparency in political campaign financing, especially concerning “dark money.”
Additionally, the Senate aims to examine allegations made by the new U.S. Environmental Protection Agency head, Lee Zeldin. He accused that $2 billion was wrongly allocated to groups committed to decreasing greenhouse gas emissions. Although Abrams cooperated with one such group until the end of last year, she has become a focal point of Republican criticism regarding $20 billion in emissions-reduction grants distributed during Joe Biden’s presidency. Zeldin, appointed by Trump, underscored this in a recent congressional address.
The Senate’s decision to proceed with the examination passed along party lines, 33-21. Meanwhile, the same committee is conducting an ongoing, yet unfounded, investigation into Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis, another Trump adversary.
Democratic State Senator Jason Esteves criticized these probes, arguing they prioritize political spectacle over public service. Abrams has countered that these inquiries target her due to her political influence and effectiveness. Following her narrow 2018 loss to Republican Governor Brian Kemp, Abrams gained national attention for her voting rights advocacy. Despite losing a 2022 rematch, she remains a significant Democratic voice.
The GOP-led Senate now has the power to convene hearings on Abrams, as some committee members and Lt. Gov. Burt Jones contemplate 2026 election runs. The committee continues to try and compel Willis to justify her actions in investigating Trump’s alleged illegal activities in Georgia, though their attempts have yielded little new information regarding Willis’s probe and her relationship with special prosecutor Nathan Wade.
Abrams founded the New Georgia Project in 2013 to motivate young and minority voters in the state, but distanced herself from the group after stepping down in 2017. The organization admitted to campaign finance law violations in January, resulting in a historic $300,000 fine, largely due to unauthorized financial activities tied to Abrams’ 2018 gubernatorial bid. The group has since faced internal challenges, including layoffs amid efforts by staff to unionize.
Furthermore, Zeldin has advocated for reclaiming a $2 billion grant awarded to Power Forward Communities, as part of a larger $20 billion sum he claims was inappropriately distributed under Biden’s administration. Though Abrams was previously involved with Rewiring America, part of the coalition, her spokesperson clarified that she did not receive payment from Power Forward Communities.
In related disputes, another nonprofit that secured $7 billion of the $20 billion is suing the EPA over the suspension of legally awarded funds. The Climate United Fund, comprising three nonprofits, is demanding access to a financial account promised by the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund, established under the Inflation Reduction Act. Concurrently, the Coalition for Green Capital, having received $5 billion from the same program, has taken Citibank to court over alleged contract breaches regarding grant disbursement.