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Federal Judge Orders EPA to Reverse Reclassification of California Clean Air Act Waivers Amidst Congressional Debate

Federal Judge Orders EPA to Reverse Reclassification of California Clean Air Act Waivers Amidst Congressional Debate

A federal judge has ruled that the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) must reverse its reclassification of two Clean Air Act waivers granted to California, which the EPA had previously designated as 'rules' instead of 'orders.' This decision follows an earlier ruling where the same judge granted California a preliminary injunction regarding four other waivers. The reclassification by the EPA had made these waivers subject to potential overturn by Congress under the Congressional Review Act (CRA). Despite the judicial orders, Congress is proceeding with scheduled votes this week on resolutions to rescind these waivers. House Democrats, including Rep. Joe Neguse, have criticized these congressional actions, arguing that the waivers are not subject to the CRA and that the resolutions are unlikely to pass the Senate.

Congresswoman Fedorchak Applauds EPA Repeal of Clean Power Plan 2.0, Citing Energy Reliability and Affordability

Congresswoman Fedorchak Applauds EPA Repeal of Clean Power Plan 2.0, Citing Energy Reliability and Affordability

Congresswoman Julie Fedorchak (R-ND) has expressed strong approval for the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) decision to repeal the Biden administration’s Power Plant Greenhouse Gas Rule, also known as Clean Power Plan 2.0. According to Fedorchak, this regulation was 'disconnected from science and reality' and posed a danger to the nation's energy supply. She criticized the plan for irresponsibly and recklessly pushing for the premature closure of power plants at a time when electricity demand is increasing. The EPA's final action, which was initially proposed for repeal in June 2025, removes greenhouse-gas emissions requirements that had been imposed on existing coal-fired power plants and new natural-gas plants. Fedorchak emphasized that halting this plan is a significant victory for ensuring both affordability and reliability in the energy sector, arguing that the regulation would have led to increased costs for consumers for many years.

US EPA repeals carbon emission limits for power plants at G20 meeting

US EPA repeals carbon emission limits for power plants at G20 meeting

By Valerie Volcovici, Georgina McCartney and Ernest Scheyder WASHINGTON/HOUSTON, Sept 14 (Reuters) - The U.S.

Representative Jayapal Cosponsors Bill to Reduce Workweek to 32 Hours, Facing Employer Concerns in Washington

Representative Jayapal Cosponsors Bill to Reduce Workweek to 32 Hours, Facing Employer Concerns in Washington

Representative Pramila Jayapal (D-Seattle) has joined as a cosponsor of the Thirty-Two Hour Workweek Act (H.R. 10323), a bill introduced by Representative Mark Takano of California. This legislation aims to gradually reduce the standard American workweek to 32 hours over four years by amending the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938. The bill also proposes daily overtime requirements, mandating time and a half for hours worked past eight in a day and double time for hours exceeding 12. Crucially, it prohibits employers from cutting total workweek compensation or benefits to offset these changes. Senator Bernie Sanders has introduced a companion bill in the Senate. This proposal has been introduced multiple times since 2021 and has not advanced into law. Jayapal stated that the bill would help balance corporate profits with the needs of working people, allowing more time with loved ones.

California and States Sue Trump Administration Over Expanded Green Card Denial Rules

California and States Sue Trump Administration Over Expanded Green Card Denial Rules

California, alongside 21 other states, has filed a federal lawsuit against the Trump administration to challenge a new rule that broadens the criteria for denying green cards. The rule, set to take effect soon, expands the definition of a 'public charge' to include individuals who have used or may use public benefits such such as food or healthcare assistance. Previously, the 'public charge' assessment was limited to the use of cash welfare and long-term institutional care. The updated guidance allows immigration officers to deny green cards for 'any and all benefits,' potentially including free school lunches or state-provided health insurance for applicants or their dependents, even U.S. citizen children. This is not the first time the Trump administration has attempted such a policy; a similar rule in 2019 was struck down by courts and later reversed under President Joe Biden. California Attorney General Rob Bonta stated this is the 92nd lawsuit California has filed against the federal government since ...

Springfield News-Leader

How much are tariffs costing Missouri? See where the state ranks

How much are tariffs costing Missouri? See where the state ranks

A new report highlights how tariffs are affecting Missouri businesses, including which imported goods are generating the highest costs.

California Governor Newsom Faces Calls for Mass Commutation of Death Sentences Amidst Political Ambitions

California Governor Newsom Faces Calls for Mass Commutation of Death Sentences Amidst Political Ambitions

California Governor Gavin Newsom is facing increasing pressure from advocates and international human rights groups to commute all death sentences in the state before he leaves office in January. This call comes despite his 2019 executive order halting executions and his previous statements condemning the state's capital punishment system as a failure and infected by racism. California currently holds the largest number of individuals on death row in the U.S., with 546 men and 18 women. The state has not carried out an execution in two decades, leading to a significant backlog of appeals and a dysfunctional system. In 2022, Governor Newsom signed a law to facilitate overturning sentences affected by racial bias, following an investigation by the Alameda County District Attorney's Office that found systematic exclusion of Black and Jewish people from juries in capital cases. This investigation led to new sentences for twenty defendants and civil lawsuits seeking millions. Legal challenges regarding racial d...

House Republicans Propose Overhaul of Consumer Financial Protection Bureau Funding

House Republicans Propose Overhaul of Consumer Financial Protection Bureau Funding

House Financial Services Committee Republicans are advancing legislation to significantly alter the funding and governance of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB). The centerpiece of this effort is H.R. 10184, the Consumer Financial Protection Accountability and Reform Act of 2026, co-sponsored by nearly 30 Republicans, including Rep. French Hill (R-AR-2). This bill aims to remove the CFPB's current funding mechanism, which draws directly from the Federal Reserve, and instead subject it to the congressional appropriations process. Additionally, the proposed legislation would establish an inspector general specifically for the CFPB. This move follows a discussion draft circulated by House Republicans and a roundtable discussion on modernizing consumer financial protection, which included Rep. French Hill and former CFPB Director Kathy Kraninger, alongside industry representatives.

Democrats' Climate Rhetoric Diminishes Post-Trump 2024 Election, Shifting Focus for Midterm Candidates

Democrats' Climate Rhetoric Diminishes Post-Trump 2024 Election, Shifting Focus for Midterm Candidates

Following President Trump's 2024 election victory, there has been a noticeable reduction in the emphasis on the climate crisis within Democratic rhetoric, a trend dubbed 'climate-hushing.' This shift is influencing how some candidates are addressing climate issues in their 2026 midterm campaigns. Daniel Aldana Cohen, an assistant sociology professor at the University of California, Berkeley, suggests this trend may reflect the perceived limitations of President Biden's climate policies, which fell short of the climate movement's expectations regarding green jobs and housing investments, and disproportionately benefited wealthier households. Furthermore, many Biden-era clean energy incentives and regulations have since been rolled back. Despite this, the climate crisis continues to manifest across the country through heatwaves, wildfires, and floods, impacting voters through issues like datacenter expansion and rising home insurance rates. While some polls indicate a lack of public interest in global warmin...

Representative Delia Ramirez Co-Sponsors Bill to Reduce Workweek to 32 Hours

Representative Delia Ramirez Co-Sponsors Bill to Reduce Workweek to 32 Hours

Representative Delia Ramirez (D-IL) has co-sponsored the 'Thirty-Two Hour Workweek Act,' H.R. 10323, a bill introduced by Representative Mark Takano of California. This legislation aims to amend the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 by gradually lowering the overtime threshold over four years: first to 38 hours, then 36, 34, and finally 32 hours. The bill also introduces daily overtime provisions, mandating time and a half pay for hours worked beyond eight in a day, and double time for hours exceeding twelve. Crucially, the act prohibits employers from reducing total workweek compensation or benefits to offset these changes. Senator Bernie Sanders has introduced a companion bill in the Senate. Representative Ramirez joins five other co-sponsors, including Representatives Eleanor Holmes Norton, Rashida Tlaib, Ilhan Omar, and J. Luis Correa. This is not the first attempt to introduce such legislation, as Representative Takano has been advocating for similar measures since 2021.

Rep. Jay Obernolte Co-Authors Bipartisan AI Legislation Amidst Capitol Hill Concerns

Rep. Jay Obernolte Co-Authors Bipartisan AI Legislation Amidst Capitol Hill Concerns

Rep. Jay Obernolte, a Republican from California, is actively involved in legislative efforts concerning artificial intelligence (AI) on Capitol Hill. He has co-authored the Frontier Act with Rep. Lori Trahan, D-Mass., which aims to establish new safety and transparency rules for large AI companies. This bill is one of several AI-related legislative proposals introduced in Congress, though none have yet gained significant traction. Obernolte has also introduced the AI LABS Act, designed to provide federal grants for K-12 schools to create dedicated AI labs, fostering hands-on learning and educator understanding of AI. Additionally, he co-introduced the Liquid Cooling for AI Act, which focuses on assessing and advancing the use of liquid cooling technologies in U.S. data centers to enhance AI computing capabilities. These initiatives come amidst increasing concerns among lawmakers and tech experts regarding the rapid advancement and potential risks of AI.

EPA and Army Corps Seek Public Comment on Revised WOTUS Definition Affecting Farm Water Features

EPA and Army Corps Seek Public Comment on Revised WOTUS Definition Affecting Farm Water Features

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Army Corps of Engineers have released a supplemental proposal seeking public comments on alternatives for defining 'Waters of the United States' (WOTUS) under the Clean Water Act. This action follows the U.S. Supreme Court's 2023 decision in *Sackett v. EPA*, which significantly narrowed federal jurisdiction over wetlands. According to Roger McEowen of the Washburn School of Law, the Supreme Court rejected the broader 'significant nexus' approach, requiring adjacent wetlands to have a continuous surface connection to a qualifying water body. This ruling created a clearer boundary for federal jurisdiction, particularly relevant for agricultural lands that often feature depressions, drainage features, and wetlands that are intermittently wet. The current proposal aims to further define the standards established by the Supreme Court, focusing on perennial waters, relatively permanent waters, and the continuous surface connection requirement. It also includes p...