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House Passes Bipartisan Diesel Emissions Reduction Act Reauthorization

House Passes Bipartisan Diesel Emissions Reduction Act Reauthorization

The U.S. House of Representatives has passed the Diesel Emissions Reduction Act of 2025, a bipartisan piece of legislation aimed at mitigating diesel pollution and protecting public health. The bill, co-led by Congresswoman Chellie Pingree (D-Maine), Congresswoman Doris Matsui (D-Calif.), Congressman Ken Calvert (R-Calif.), and Congressman Nick Langworthy (R-N.Y.), reauthorizes the Diesel Emissions Reduction Act (DERA) program through fiscal year 2029, allocating $100 million annually. DERA, initially established under the Energy Policy Act of 2005, provides grants and rebates to assist schools, local governments, small businesses, and fleet operators in replacing or upgrading older, heavily polluting diesel engines. Congressman Langworthy emphasized that this legislation will facilitate the replacement of aging diesel engines in various critical equipment, including school buses, snowplows, agricultural machinery, and emergency vehicles, with newer, American-made technology. Since its inception, the DERA ...

Representative Ken Calvert Supports Extension of Diesel Emissions Reduction Act Through 2029

Representative Ken Calvert Supports Extension of Diesel Emissions Reduction Act Through 2029

The U.S. House of Representatives has overwhelmingly voted to extend the Diesel Emissions Reduction Act (DERA) through fiscal year 2029. The bipartisan legislation, House Resolution 2140, was introduced by Representatives Doris Matsui (D-CA), Ken Calvert (R-CA), Chellie Pingree (D-ME), and Nick Langworthy (R-NY). The measure passed with a vote of 343-79, authorizing $100 million in annual funding for the program. DERA, administered by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), provides competitive grants to help fleets transition from older, heavily polluting diesel vehicles and equipment to cleaner alternatives. This initiative aims to reduce air pollution and offers financial incentives to offset the higher upfront costs associated with electrifying commercial fleets. The program has been in effect for two decades, contributing to the removal of tens of thousands of older engines from the road and saving over 500 million gallons of fuel.

House Passes Bipartisan Diesel Emissions Reduction Act, Co-Led by Rep. Nick Langworthy

House Passes Bipartisan Diesel Emissions Reduction Act, Co-Led by Rep. Nick Langworthy

The U.S. House of Representatives has passed the bipartisan Diesel Emissions Reduction Act (DERA) of 2025. This legislation, co-led by Representatives Doris Matsui (D-CA), Ken Calvert (R-CA), Chellie Pingree (D-ME), and Nick Langworthy (R-NY), aims to reauthorize the DERA program through fiscal year 2029 with an annual allocation of $100 million. The bill passed with a significant majority, 343-79. The DERA program provides grants and rebates to various entities, including schools, local governments, small businesses, and fleet operators, to facilitate the replacement or upgrade of older diesel engines and equipment. Supporters of the act emphasize its role in improving air quality and public health by reducing diesel pollution. The American Trucking Associations (ATA) has applauded the House's passage of the bill, highlighting its importance for the trucking industry in updating fleets and achieving fuel savings and emissions reductions. The measure will now proceed to the Senate for consideration before ...

Rep. Josh Harder's Golden Mussel Eradication Bill Advances in Congress

Rep. Josh Harder's Golden Mussel Eradication Bill Advances in Congress

Representative Josh Harder's "Golden Mussel Eradication and Control Act" is progressing through Congress following a bipartisan hearing by the House Natural Resources subcommittee. The hearing specifically addressed strategies to halt the proliferation of golden mussels and bolster eradication initiatives. Both the acting deputy director of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and an official from the Contra Costa Water District have voiced their support for the bill's objectives. The legislation aims to establish a rapid response program, channel investments into new technologies and inspection stations, and enhance coordination among state, local, and federal agencies. Golden mussels were first detected near Stockton in 2024 and have since expanded their presence further south. In related financial news, Harder's Q2 FEC disclosure, filed on July 15th, 2026, reported $311.0K in fundraising, with $56.8K in spending and $4.7M cash on hand. Quiver Quantitative estimates Harder's net worth at $6.1M as of Septem...

Senate Committee Advances Senator Padilla's Wildfire Emissions Prevention Act to Combat Wildfires

Senate Committee Advances Senator Padilla's Wildfire Emissions Prevention Act to Combat Wildfires

U.S. Senator Alex Padilla (D-Calif.), a member of the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee and the Energy and Natural Resources Committee, has seen his bipartisan Wildfire Emissions Prevention Act (WEPA) advance out of the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works with a unanimous vote. This legislation aims to prevent wildfires and increase the use of prescribed fire. Senator Padilla emphasized the urgent need for proactive measures to address the growing wildfire crisis, which annually devastates public lands and communities. The bill provides certainty that states will not face penalties for wildfire prevention actions and establishes a program to assist communities in planning and preparing for smoke events. Additionally, Senator Padilla highlighted his bipartisan Save Our Sequoias Act, designed to protect giant sequoias from wildfires, insects, and disease, and urged the Department of the Interior to reconsider a proposed land transfer within Yosemite National Park.

Representative Huffman Highlights Northern California Water Projects in Bipartisan Water Bill Vote

Representative Huffman Highlights Northern California Water Projects in Bipartisan Water Bill Vote

Representative Jared Huffman of California's 2nd Congressional District has voted in favor of the Water Resources Development Act of 2026. This bipartisan legislation aims to authorize U.S. Army Corps of Engineers civil works projects, supporting water infrastructure, ecosystem restoration, and climate resilience efforts across the nation. Specifically, the bill includes several priorities championed by Representative Huffman for Northern California. These priorities encompass restoring communication channels between Congress and the Army Corps, assessing maintenance needs for small harbors, and advancing studies or providing support for projects in key areas such as Petaluma, Ellis Creek, Coyote Valley Dam, and Sonoma County. The legislation is designed to address critical water-related challenges and enhance the resilience of communities and ecosystems in the region.

Senator Ben Ray Luján Addresses Dynamic Pricing Legislation in the Senate

Senator Ben Ray Luján Addresses Dynamic Pricing Legislation in the Senate

Senator Ben Ray Luján (D-NM) is actively involved in legislative efforts concerning dynamic pricing, a practice where retailers adjust prices based on various factors, including consumer data. This initiative mirrors similar legislation introduced in the House by Representative Rashida Tlaib (D-Mich.). The focus of these legislative efforts is to prevent price manipulation, particularly when it involves personalized pricing based on an individual's personal data. Maryland recently enacted the Protection From Predatory Pricing Act (HB 895), banning such practices effective October 1, 2026. This law specifically prohibits retailers from setting personalized prices for goods or services based on personal data, though it does not apply to discounts from loyalty programs or price adjustments due to taxes or shipping costs. The Maryland law also addresses broader algorithmic pricing methods, a concern shared by other states like California, Hawaii, and New York, which are also pursuing similar legislation. The i...

Representative Janelle Bynum Co-Sponsors Grand Ronde Land Transfer Act in Oregon

Representative Janelle Bynum Co-Sponsors Grand Ronde Land Transfer Act in Oregon

U.S. Representative Janelle Bynum (OR-05), alongside Senator Jeff Merkley, Congresswoman Andrea Salinas (OR-06), and other members of the Oregon Congressional Delegation, has introduced the Grand Ronde Land Transfer Act. This bicameral bill proposes transferring 18,626 acres of federal land from the U.S. Forest Service into trust for the Confederated Tribes of the Grand Ronde. The legislation aims to strengthen tribal sovereignty and ensure the land is managed for conservation, recreation, and sustainable harvest. Representative Bynum emphasized the Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde's proven record as responsible stewards of Oregon's natural resources. The bill specifies that public and recreational access to the area will be maintained by the Tribe. This initiative is supported by various entities, including Tillamook County, Yamhill County, the Oregon Department of Forestry, and several conservation groups.

'Voters are deeply concerned.' Democratic 2028 hopefuls debate AI regulations

'Voters are deeply concerned.' Democratic 2028 hopefuls debate AI regulations

As Americans’ concerns over AI have grown in the wake of whistleblower warnings, Democrats are rushing to solidify their pitch to voters.

Reps. Raskin, Huffman, and Ivey Demand Documents on Trump Administration's East Potomac Golf Course Contracts

Reps. Raskin, Huffman, and Ivey Demand Documents on Trump Administration's East Potomac Golf Course Contracts

Democrats on the House Natural Resources Committee, including Maryland Reps. Jamie Raskin and Glenn Ivey, along with California Rep. Jared Huffman, District of Columbia Del. Eleanor Holmes Norton, and Virginia Rep. Don Beyer, have sent a letter to Interior Secretary Doug Burgum and acting National Park Service Director Jessica Bowron. The letter demands all documents, communications, and records related to the Trump administration's contracts for the East Potomac Golf Links. This action follows the quiet awarding of contracts by the National Park Service to begin work on President Trump's planned takeover of the historic public golf course. Rep. Huffman revealed during a committee hearing that a civil engineering firm was hired without public announcement or congressional notification. A lawsuit challenging the plan argues that the redevelopment would violate the congressional act that established the park over a century ago. The lawmakers assert that East Potomac Park belongs to the American people, not P...

California Bill SB 1387 Proposes Adding Jewish Heritage to State's Recognized Ethnic Identities

California Bill SB 1387 Proposes Adding Jewish Heritage to State's Recognized Ethnic Identities

California is considering Senate Bill 1387, which aims to include Jewish heritage among the state's more than 50 recognized racial and ethnic identities. This legislative effort has sparked a wide range of opinions within the Jewish community, highlighting the complex and multifaceted nature of Jewish identity. The bill's proponents seek to formally acknowledge Jewish people as a distinct group within California's demographic data. However, many Jewish individuals express reservations about the government maintaining a list of Jewish citizens, citing historical precedents where such lists have led to negative consequences for marginalized groups. The debate underscores the diverse perspectives on how Jewish identity, which encompasses religious, cultural, and ancestral elements, should be categorized and recognized by governmental bodies. The discussion also touches upon the multiracial nature of the Jewish community, with a significant percentage of Jewish Americans identifying as Hispanic, Black, Asian, ...

Long-shot push for AI 'kill switch' bill fails in the Senate

Long-shot push for AI 'kill switch' bill fails in the Senate

Sen. John Kennedy said his bill would order AI companies to build kill switches into their advanced models.