AI data centers could drive a new wave of Texas air pollution, report finds
State regulators are considering proposals for more than 100 new gas power projects — the vast majority of them entirely new plants — to power a new wave of data centers, according to findings published early Wednesday by the Environmental Integrity Project (EIP).
More than 30 have already been permitted in a process that amounts to a 'rubber stamp,' the EIP said.
'To meet its increasing demand for electricity, Texas should be encouraging more clean energy instead of feeding public subsidies to dirty fossil fuels,' Jen Duggan, executive director of the Environmental Integrity Project, said in a statement.
The plants spread across the state but cluster around Houston, the I-35 corridor between Austin and San Antonio and the oilfields of West Texas.
If all are built, they could produce as much pollution each year as another 27 million new cars and trucks — the equivalent of doubling Texas's current motor vehicle fleet, the report found.
Oil and gas pollution includes volatile organic carcinogens such as benzene, asthma-triggering compounds including ozone and nitrogen oxides and lung-burrowing particles like PM 2.5.
The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, the state's environmental regulator, declined The Hill's request for comment on the analysis.
The report comes in the wake of the failure of a slate bills at the Texas legislature that had sought to restrict the growth of renewables in favor of gas power — an issue that drove an acrimonious inter-party debate within the state's ruling GOP.
One major reason for that failure: the state's insatiable demand for electricity, which the state's grid managers have estimated could double by the end of the decade, largely due to new cryptocurrency miners, data centers and oilfield operations.
In the fight over the renewable restrictions, wind, solar and battery advocates pitched their technologies — which can be installed much faster than gas — as ideal to meet that demand.
'Everything is supposed to be bigger in Texas, but there's no need to go big with gas plant pollution when there are cleaner alternatives,' said Adrian Shelley, the Texas director for civil society group Public Citizen.
'Texas is already number one in clean energy, which helps save the electric grid and reduce consumer costs, so we should rely on clean energy to increase our supply of electricity,' Shelley added.
But with a 'frantic race' to build capacity amid long wait times to connect to the grid, data center developers are increasingly turning to a new wave of privately owned gas plants, according to reporting this week from The Texas Tribune.
One such plant, outside the rapidly growing Central Texas town of New Braunfels, will generate about 1.2 gigawatts of power — about two-thirds as much generation capacity as is needed for the million-plus people of nearby Austin.
But all that power will go entirely to data centers, the Tribune found.
Despite the plants' size — some are large enough to power a medium-sized city — EIP contends that Texas regulators incorrectly classified three of them as belonging to a Clean Air Act category designed for minor sources of pollution.
That would mean that the gas plants will not have to use the best available technology to clean their emissions, causing a greater release of health-harming chemicals.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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Yahoo
26 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Huntington Bancshares Incorporated Announces Acquisition of Veritex and Provides Preliminary 2025 Second Quarter Results
Veritex acquisition accelerates Huntington's organic growth initiatives in high-growth Texas markets; Strong 2Q results reflect growth in loans and deposits, sustained strong revenue and profit growth, as well as continued excellent credit performance COLUMBUS, Ohio and DALLAS, July 14, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Huntington Bancshares Incorporated (Nasdaq: HBAN), a top ten regional bank holding company headquartered in Columbus, Ohio, and Veritex Holdings, Inc. (Nasdaq: VBTX), a bank holding company headquartered in Dallas, Texas, today announced entry into a definitive merger agreement, and Huntington announced preliminary second quarter results. This strategic acquisition accelerates Huntington's strong organic growth in Texas by expanding its presence in Dallas/Fort Worth and Houston. As of March 31, 2025, Veritex reported approximately $13 billion in assets, $9 billion in loans, and $11 billion in deposits. "This combination supports our ambitions and reflects our long-term commitment to the state of Texas, one of the most dynamic and fastest-growing economies in the country," said Steve Steinour, Chairman, President and CEO of Huntington Bancshares. "The Veritex team brings deep local relationships, a strong commercial banking franchise and customer loyalty, and this partnership will serve as a springboard for substantial future growth in the state." "Veritex has always been a people and community focused bank. We have found a partner in Huntington Bank who shares and lives out those same values," said Malcolm Holland, Chairman, President and CEO of Veritex. "We are very excited about becoming part of the Huntington family and bringing more capabilities to our Texas clients than ever before." Holland will join Huntington in a non-executive role as Chairman of Texas and continue his work to serve local customers and communities. Veritex, headquartered in Dallas, operates more than 30 branches across key Texas markets including Dallas/Fort Worth and Houston. Huntington plans to maintain Veritex's branch network and invest to grow it over time. Huntington has been serving customers and communities in Texas since 2009 and currently offers middle-market business banking solutions in the Dallas and Houston markets, including corporate banking and automotive finance. The nation's largest originator, by volume, of Small Business Administration (SBA) 7(a) loans, Huntington was the #1 SBA lender in Texas in 2024. Huntington currently employs roughly 200 colleagues in Texas, led by dedicated local leadership. "Veritex has assembled a talented and experienced team who have earned the trust and loyalty of individuals, families and companies of all sizes across Texas," said Brant Standridge, President of Consumer & Regional Banking at Huntington. "We're excited to build on their impressive legacy and, together with Veritex colleagues, continue to be a reliable partner supporting our customers and communities." Additionally, Huntington is committed to continuing Veritex's strong legacy of community support through local partnerships, investment and engagement. As an initial step, Huntington is funding $10 million toward philanthropic investments in Texas. The combination is expected to close early in the fourth quarter of 2025, subject to regulatory approvals and customary closing conditions. Upon conversion, Veritex teams and branches will operate under the Huntington Bank name and brand. Transaction Terms Under the terms of the agreement, Huntington will issue 1.95 shares for each outstanding share of Veritex in a 100% stock transaction. Based on Huntington's closing price of $17.39 as of July 11, 2025, the consideration implies $33.91 per Veritex share or an aggregate transaction value of $1.9 billion. The transaction is expected to be modestly accretive to Huntington's earnings per share, neutral to regulatory capital at close, and slightly dilutive to tangible book value per share with payback in approximately one year inclusive of merger expenses and CECL double count. Second Quarter 2025 Financial Highlights The announcement precedes Huntington's release of its financial results for the second quarter ended June 30, 2025. The following is a summary of results the company expects to report on July 18: Earnings per common share (EPS) of $0.34, unchanged from the prior quarter, and up over 13% from the year-ago quarter. Net interest income of $1.5 billion, an increase of $41 million or 3%, from the prior quarter and $155 million or 12%, from the year-ago quarter. Average loans and leases of $133.2 billion, an increase of $2.3 billion, or 2% from the prior quarter and $9.8 billion, or 8% from the year-ago quarter. Average deposits of $163.4 billion, an increase of $1.8 billion, or 1% from the prior quarter and $9.9 billion, or 6% from the year-ago quarter. Net charge-offs of 0.20% of average total loans and leases for the quarter, 6 basis points lower than the prior quarter. Allowance for credit losses (ACL) of $2.5 billion, or 1.86% of total loans and leases, at quarter end, an increase of $37 million from the prior quarter. Tangible book value per share of $9.13, up $0.33, or 4%, from the prior quarter and $1.24, or 16%, from a year ago. Advisors Evercore and Commerce Street Capital, LLC are serving as financial advisors to Huntington. Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz is serving as legal advisor to Huntington. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods, a Stifel Company, is serving as financial advisor to Veritex. Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP is serving as legal advisor to Veritex. Teleconference / Webcast Information Huntington's senior management will host a conference call to discuss the acquisition on Monday, July 14, 2025 at 8:30 a.m. Eastern Time, to discuss the strategic and financial implications of the transaction. The call, along with slides, may be accessed via a live Internet webcast at the Investor Relations section of Huntington's website or through a dial-in telephone number at (877) 407-8029 or (201) 689-8029; conference ID # 13754984. Huntington will host a conference call to review quarterly financial results on Friday, July 18, 2025 at 9 a.m. Eastern Time. The second quarter 2025 earnings conference call, along with slides, may be accessed via a live Internet webcast in the Investor Relations section of Huntington's website or through a dial-in telephone number at (877) 407-8029 or (201) 689-8029; conference ID # 13754784. A replay of the quarterly financial results webcast will be archived in the Investor Relations section of Huntington's website. A telephone replay will be available approximately two hours after the completion of the call through July 28, 2025, at (877) 660-6853 or (201) 612-7415; conference ID #13752707. About Huntington Huntington Bancshares Incorporated is a $210 billion asset regional bank holding company headquartered in Columbus, Ohio. Founded in 1866, The Huntington National Bank and its affiliates provide consumers, small and middle-market businesses, corporations, municipalities, and other organizations with a comprehensive suite of banking, payments, wealth management, and risk management products and services. Huntington operates 968 branches in 13 states, with certain businesses operating in extended geographies. Visit for more information. About Veritex Community Bank Veritex Community Bank is a mid-sized community bank serving its customers with a full suite of banking products and services. The bank has convenient branch locations in Houston, Fort Worth and Dallas, Texas, with total assets of approximately $13 billion. The bank, headquartered in Dallas, specializes in providing depository and credit services to small to mid-size businesses, which have been largely neglected by national banks. The name "Veritex" is derived from the Latin word "veritas," meaning truth, and "Texas." Non-GAAP Reconciliation TBV per Share ($ in millions, except per share amounts)) 2Q241Q252Q25 Huntington shareholders' equity $19,515$20,434$20,928 Less: preferred stock 2,3941,9891,989 Common shareholders' equity $17,121$18,445$18,939 Less: goodwill 5,5615,5615,561 Less: other intangible assets, net of tax 946758 Tangible common equity (A) $11,466$12,817$13,320 Number of common shares outstanding (B) 1,4521,4571,459 Tangible book value per share (A/B) $7.89$8.80$9.13 CAUTION REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS This communication may contain certain forward-looking statements, including, but not limited to, certain plans, expectations, goals, projections, and statements about the benefits of the proposed transaction, the plans, objectives, expectations and intentions of Huntington Bancshares Incorporated ("Huntington") and Veritex Holdings, Inc. ("Veritex"), the expected timing of completion of the transaction, and other statements that are not historical facts and are subject to numerous assumptions, risks, and uncertainties that are beyond the control of Huntington and Veritex. Such statements are subject to numerous assumptions, risks, estimates, uncertainties and other important factors that change over time and could cause actual results to differ materially from any results, performance, or events expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements, including as a result of the factors referenced below. Statements that do not describe historical or current facts, including statements about beliefs and expectations, are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements may be identified by words such as expect, anticipate, continue, believe, intend, estimate, plan, trend, objective, target, goal, or similar expressions, or future or conditional verbs such as will, may, might, should, would, could, or similar variations. The forward-looking statements are intended to be subject to the safe harbor provided by Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, and the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Huntington and Veritex caution that the forward-looking statements in this communication are not guarantees of future performance and involve a number of known and unknown risks, uncertainties and assumptions that are difficult to assess and are subject to change based on factors which are, in many instances, beyond Huntington's and Veritex's control. While there is no assurance that any list of risks and uncertainties or risk factors is complete, below are certain factors which could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained or implied in the forward-looking statements or historical performance: changes in general economic, political, or industry conditions; deterioration in business and economic conditions, including persistent inflation, supply chain issues or labor shortages, instability in global economic conditions and geopolitical matters, as well as volatility in financial markets; changes in U.S. trade policies, including the imposition of tariffs and retaliatory tariffs; the impact of pandemics and other catastrophic events or disasters on the global economy and financial market conditions and our business, results of operations, and financial condition; the impacts related to or resulting from bank failures and other volatility, including potential increased regulatory requirements and costs, such as FDIC special assessments, long-term debt requirements and heightened capital requirements, and potential impacts to macroeconomic conditions, which could affect the ability of depository institutions, including us, to attract and retain depositors and to borrow or raise capital; unexpected outflows of uninsured deposits which may require us to sell investment securities at a loss; changing interest rates which could negatively impact the value of our portfolio of investment securities; the loss of value of our investment portfolio which could negatively impact market perceptions of us and could lead to deposit withdrawals; the effects of social media on market perceptions of us and banks generally; cybersecurity risks; uncertainty in U.S. fiscal and monetary policy, including the interest rate policies of the Federal Reserve; volatility and disruptions in global capital, foreign exchange and credit markets; movements in interest rates; competitive pressures on product pricing and services; success, impact, and timing of our business strategies, including market acceptance of any new products or services including those implementing our "Fair Play" banking philosophy; changes in policies and standards for regulatory review of bank mergers; the nature, extent, timing, and results of governmental actions, examinations, reviews, reforms, regulations, and interpretations, including those related to the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act and the Basel III regulatory capital reforms, as well as those involving the SEC, OCC, Federal Reserve, FDIC, CFPB and state-level regulators; the occurrence of any event, change or other circumstances that could give rise to the right of one or both of the parties to terminate the merger agreement between Huntington and Veritex; the outcome of any legal proceedings that may be instituted against Huntington or Veritex; delays in completing the transaction; the failure to obtain necessary regulatory approvals (and the risk that such approvals may result in the imposition of conditions that could adversely affect the combined company or the expected benefits of the transaction); the failure to obtain Veritex shareholder approval or to satisfy any of the other conditions to the transaction on a timely basis or at all; the possibility that the anticipated benefits of the transaction are not realized when expected or at all, including as a result of the impact of, or problems arising from, the integration of the two companies or as a result of the strength of the economy and competitive factors in the areas where Huntington and Veritex do business; the possibility that the transaction may be more expensive to complete than anticipated, including as a result of unexpected factors or events; diversion of management's attention from ongoing business operations and opportunities; potential adverse reactions or changes to business, customer or employee relationships, including those resulting from the announcement or completion of the transaction; the ability to complete the transaction and integration of Huntington and Veritex successfully; the dilution caused by Huntington's issuance of additional shares of its capital stock in connection with the transaction; and other factors that may affect the future results of Huntington and Veritex. Additional factors that could cause results to differ materially from those described above can be found in Huntington's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2024 and in its subsequent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, including for the quarter ended March 31, 2025, each of which is on file with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") and available in the "Investor Relations" section of Huntington's website, under the heading "Investor Relations" and in other documents Huntington files with the SEC, and in Veritex's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2024 and in its subsequent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, including for the quarter ended March 31, 2025, each of which is on file with the SEC and available on Veritex's investor relations website, under the heading "Financials" and in other documents Veritex files with the SEC. All forward-looking statements are expressly qualified in their entirety by the cautionary statements set forth above. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made and are based on information available at that time. Neither Huntington nor Veritex assume any obligation to update forward-looking statements to reflect actual results, new information or future events, changes in assumptions or changes in circumstances or other factors affecting forward-looking statements that occur after the date the forward-looking statements were made or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events except as required by federal securities laws. If Huntington or Veritex update one or more forward-looking statements, no inference should be drawn that Huntington or Veritex will make additional updates with respect to those or other forward-looking statements. As forward-looking statements involve significant risks and uncertainties, caution should be exercised against placing undue reliance on such statements. IMPORTANT ADDITIONAL INFORMATION In connection with the proposed transaction, Huntington will file with the SEC a Registration Statement on Form S-4 that will include a Proxy Statement of Veritex and a Prospectus of Huntington, as well as other relevant documents concerning the proposed transaction. The proposed transaction involving Huntington and Veritex will be submitted to Veritex's shareholders for their consideration. This communication does not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any securities or a solicitation of any vote or approval, nor shall there be any sale of securities in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such jurisdiction. INVESTORS AND SHAREHOLDERS OF VERITEX ARE URGED TO READ THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT AND THE PROXY STATEMENT/PROSPECTUS REGARDING THE TRANSACTION WHEN IT BECOMES AVAILABLE AND ANY OTHER RELEVANT DOCUMENTS FILED WITH THE SEC, AS WELL AS ANY AMENDMENTS OR SUPPLEMENTS TO THOSE DOCUMENTS, BECAUSE THEY WILL CONTAIN IMPORTANT INFORMATION. Shareholders will be able to obtain a free copy of the definitive proxy statement/prospectus, as well as other filings containing information about Huntington and Veritex, without charge, at the SEC's website ( Copies of the proxy statement/prospectus and the filings with the SEC that will be incorporated by reference in the proxy statement/prospectus can also be obtained, without charge, by directing a request to Huntington Investor Relations, Huntington Bancshares Incorporated, Huntington Center, 41 South High Street, Columbus, Ohio 43287, (800) 576-5007 or to Veritex Investor Relations, Veritex Holdings, Inc., 8214 Westchester Drive, Suite 800, Dallas, Texas 75225, (972) 349-6200. PARTICIPANTS IN THE SOLICITATION Huntington, Veritex, and certain of their respective directors and executive officers may be deemed to be participants in the solicitation of proxies from the shareholders of Veritex in connection with the proposed transaction under the rules of the SEC. Information regarding the interests of the directors and executive officers of Huntington and Veritex and other persons who may be deemed to be participants in the solicitation of shareholders of Veritex in connection with the transaction and a description of their direct and indirect interests, by security holdings or otherwise, will be included in the definitive proxy statement/prospectus related to the transaction, which will be filed by Huntington with the SEC. Information regarding Huntington's directors and executive officers is available in its definitive proxy statement relating to its 2025 Annual Meeting of Shareholders, which was filed with the SEC on March 6, 2025, and other documents filed by Huntington with the SEC. Information regarding Veritex's directors and executive officers is available in its definitive proxy statement relating to its 2025 Annual Meeting of Shareholders, which was filed with the SEC on April 29, 2025, and other documents filed by Veritex with the SEC. Other information regarding the participants in the proxy solicitation and a description of their direct and indirect interests, by security holdings or otherwise, will be contained in the proxy statement/prospectus and other relevant materials filed with the SEC. Free copies of this document may be obtained as described above under "Important Additional Information." View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE Huntington Bancshares Incorporated
Fox News
32 minutes ago
- Fox News
Jasmine Crockett rips Trump 'regime,' vows 'solidarity' with Biden witnesses during House probe
Progressive firebrand Rep. Jasmine Crockett, D-Texas, made a second surprise appearance at the House Oversight Committee's closed-door discussions with former Biden administration aides this week, once again criticizing President Donald Trump on the way out. Crockett surprised reporters when she arrived roughly 15 minutes after House investigators' transcribed interview with former White House advisor Ashley Williams began, declining to speak on the way in. The Texas Democrat emerged just over 30 minutes later, saying little about what went on inside but telling reporters she still had "absolutely" no concerns about Biden's mental fitness while in office. She said it was important to "be there physically" for Biden allies being interviewed in the GOP probe – even going as far as suggesting the Trump administration created a threatening environment for members of Congress and its own political opponents. FAR-LEFT FIREBRAND SAYS SHE 'NEVER HAD A CONCERN' ABOUT BIDEN'S MENTAL STATE AS HOUSE PROBE HEATS UP "It is important…in my mind, to be there for these witnesses. Unfortunately, we know what happens when this regime gets going. We know about the threats that come upon them, that come upon us as members of Congress," Crockett said. "I think it is important to stand there in solidarity and to at least be there physically so that they don't feel like they're alone as they are enduring egregious attacks consistently from this administration." Crockett was the only lawmaker seen going in or out of Williams' meeting with investigators on Friday. The transcribed interview was expected to be staff-led, and lawmakers were not required to attend. "Right now, the Republicans continue to act as if this is a main priority. Yet none of them are showing up," she said. "I do think that it is important that I show up because if they are going to make allegations about the former commander-in-chief, egregious allegations they continue to wage. I want to make sure that I'm in the room to correct the record, because a lot of times they like to mischaracterize things." COMER DISMISSES BIDEN DOCTOR'S BID FOR PAUSE IN COVER-UP PROBE: 'THROWING OUT EVERY EXCUSE' When asked by Fox News Digital if the interview was still ongoing as she exited, however, Crockett answered, "It's still going. I'm leaving early. I've got to get to another thing." A source familiar with the ongoing proceeding told Fox News Digital that Crockett came in during Republican investigators' round of questioning and so was unable to make inquiries herself. Fox News Digital reached out to Crockett for a response. Williams was the former Director of Strategic Outreach under the Biden administration. She did not speak to reporters on the way into her transcribed interview. Crockett initially caught reporters and potentially even staff off guard when she arrived for the closed-door deposition of Biden's former White House physician, Dr. Kevin O'Connor. House Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer, R-Ky., was there as well, as is the norm for sworn depositions. Williams, unlike O'Connor, is not on Capitol Hill under subpoena. CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP During her Wednesday appearance, Crockett declared she never had any concerns about Biden's mental state while he was president, though she did raise similar claims about Trump. White House spokesman Harrison Fields told Fox News Digital in response to Crockett questioning Trump's mental acuity: "The Democrats' rising star has done more to cement the party's demise than the President she breathlessly supported, the decrepit and feeble Joe Biden. Jasmine continues to prove she'd be better suited as a reality TV star on VH1 than an elected official on Capitol Hill." Comer is investigating accusations that Biden's former top White House aides covered up signs of his mental and physical decline while in office, and whether any executive actions were commissioned via autopen without the president's full knowledge. Biden allies have pushed back on those claims.
Yahoo
32 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Pastor reacts to IRS reversal on political candidate endorsement
WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Internal Revenue Service is proposing to give churches a greater role in politics, allowing them to endorse or speak against political candidates. It is a shift in the interpretation of the 71-year-old Johnson Amendment to the U.S. tax code, meant to take tax-exempt status away from non-profits that participate in political campaigns. Pastors who endorse political candidates shouldn't lose tax-exempt status, IRS says in filing On July 7, a joint motion from the IRS, two Texas churches, and a Christian broadcasters association asked a federal judge to approve a revised interpretation of the amendment. Their interpretation states: 'When a house of worship in good faith speaks to its congregation, through its customary channels of communication on matters of faith in connection with religious services, concerning electoral politics viewed through the lens of religious faith, it neither 'participate[s]' nor 'intervene[s]' in a 'political campaign.'' Constitutional law expert and Dean Emeritus of the William H. Bowen School of Law in Little Rock, John DiPippa, stated the revised interpretation would not change a great deal because the Johnson Amendment was rarely enforced. Only one church ever lost its tax-exempt status under the amendment. In 1992, a New York Church bought an advertisement in national newspapers telling Christians to beware of presidential candidate Bill Clinton. Senate passes Trump's big tax and spending cuts bill as Vance breaks a 50-50 tie John DiPippa said this agreement would still allow action to be taken in cases like that, but he thinks a future challenge by a church or other non-profit could repeal the law entirely. 'At the time of the Johnson Amendment and even as late as the 90's there was thought that groups like corporations or non-profit corporations didn't have the same full First Amendment speech rights that individuals had. Well, that's changed over the years,' DiPippa said. Little Rock's Pinnacle Church of Christ Minister John Phillips said there is a danger to the division that politics bring to churches, and that he would not be changing how he preaches with this ruling. 'You really don't want to get in a situation where you're endorsing or picking a particular candidate,' Phillips said. 'It's issue-driven, and we would want to inform and teach our congregants that they should always study the issues, those things that align themselves with the teachings of scripture. I think we have a responsibility and a right to support that.' Supreme Court allows Trump to resume Education Department layoffs The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops stated after news that 'The Catholic Church maintains its stance of not endorsing or opposing political candidates.' President Trump told voters during his recent campaign that he would get rid of the Johnson Amendment. Still, critics argue that it could create a dark flow of campaign donations because churches, unlike other non-profit organizations, are not required to disclose their donors. DiPippa said repealing the Johnson Amendment entirely would create a 'free-for-all.' 'One of the fears I think is that if we made this open and wide, then churches might tend to skew their messages to the biggest donors, and I think that is a legitimate fear,' he said. A surprise IRS move on political endorsements leaves faith leaders and legal experts divided Phillips stated this has not been an issue in any Church he has attended. 'It really hasn't been a factor over the years,' Phillips said. 'We are not a political action committee. We are not going to make a big donation to any one particular candidate or try to endorse one candidate over another. Again, I think our focus is on looking over the issues.' Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
