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Source: United States House of Representatives – Reprepsentative Kathy Castor (FL14)

WASHINGTON, D.C. – As the United States grapples with rapid new growth in electricity demand and high household energy prices, U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor (FL-14), U.S. Senators Peter Welch (VT) and Angus King (ME) introduced the Advancing Grid-Enhancing Technologies (GETs) Act, legislation to boost investments in grid-enhancing technologies that expand the capacity of existing transmission infrastructure.

“Consumers deserve lower electric bills and a more reliable electric grid. By optimizing the existing grid infrastructure and decreasing the need for costly upgrades, GETs can build a more stable power supply. These technologies pave the way for a more efficient, affordable, and sustainable energy future for everyone,” said Rep. Castor. “In order to quickly bring these projects online and meet growing electricity demand, we must upgrade our old, congested transmission infrastructure.The Advancing GETs Act will help us do that by supercharging the deployment of grid-enhancing technologies that enable transmission operators to maximize the capacity of existing power lines, increase reliability, and lower prices.”

“We’re at a crucial turning point in our work to achieve a clean energy transition, and meeting this moment requires new investments in clean energy technologies that strengthen the capacity of our transmission system,” said Senator Welch. “The Advancing GETs Act will motivate grid operators and developers to bring new projects online that expand transmission capacity by guaranteeing returns for these targeted, cost-saving investments. Our legislation will be crucial to boosting transmission capacity and will help the United States cost-effectively achieve its clean energy goals while lowering electricity bills and for working families.”

“As technology improves and grows more efficient, we should incorporate this innovation into our energy grid to better serve American homes, businesses, and critical infrastructure,” said Senator King. “As we work to create a sustainable clean energy future, streamlined transmission is urgently needed. The Advancing GETs Act will create an incentives program to help spur new, smart solutions expanding existing transmission infrastructure. This bill is another step forward in meeting the need for reliable, affordable, and clean electricity.”  

“Delivering the cheapest power is not part of the business model for utilities who own the grid. This regulatory problem means that grid constraints that could be addressed with low-cost technologies add $3-8 billion to electricity costs every year. The Advancing GETs Act aligns utility and consumer incentives for technologies that can save money and improve grid reliability and security. GETs can be deployed in less than a year to open up the grid for cheaper energy and new industries,” said Julia Selker, Executive Director of the WATT Coalition.

“At a moment where our country faces unprecedented growth in energy demand, expected to surge 35-50% by 2040, evolving the way we deliver power is as critical as ever. Grid-enhancing technologies (GETs) will be needed to quickly and affordably increase transmission capacity. ACP commends Sen. Welch and Rep. Castor for introducing the Advancing GETs Actwhich creates incentives for these technologies. We look forward to working with them as this bill moves through the legislative process,”said Jason Grumet, CEO of American Clean Power Association (ACP).

GETs are a crucial part of achieving a diversified clean energy transition. They increase grid capacity by allowing grid operators the ability to more dynamically manage the flow of electricity. However, current financial incentives are not encouraging developers to implement GETs. The Advancing GETs Act aims to spur developer investment in GETs by creating a shared savings incentive program to split savings for GETs installation between installers and ratepayers while increasing the U.S.’ grid capacity.

The Advancing GETs Act requires FERC to establish a shared savings incentive for GETs, which would allow a developer to be reimbursed for the cost of a GETs project, plus some of the cost-savings generated by it. The rest of the savings would go to ratepayers. The bill also includes important cost qualification guardrails to protect consumers.

Additionally, the Advancing GETs Act includes an annual reporting requirement that directs transmission owners to report costs associated with congestion to FERC and directs FERC to analyze and make this data available to the public. Lastly, it charges the Department of Energy (DOE) with creating an application guide for implementing GETs projects. providing technical assistance to stakeholders interested in GETs, and managing a clearinghouse with examples of implemented GETs projects.

The Advancing GETs Act is endorsed by the WATT Coalition, American Council on Renewable Energy, Electricity Consumers Resource Council, Natural Resources Defense Council, Solar Energy Industries Association, and Sierra Club.

 Learn more about the bill.

Read the full text of the bill.

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman David Schweikert (AZ-06)

WASHINGTON, D.C. — “With just $4 billion in cuts— equal to less than a single day’s worth of borrowing— the Senate budget resolution is more business as usual at a time when that’s exactly what we’re trying to avoid,” said Arizona Congressman David Schweikert in a statement responding to Saturday’s release of the Senate’s Budget Resolution.
During his weekly House Floor speech, Rep. Schweikert went even further by expressing his disappointment with his colleagues in the Senate’s willingness “to avoid doing what was difficult,” leaving the House to do the serious policy work. Ultimately, the Senate budget resolution functionally adds another $6.9 trillion in deficits— including $1.1 trillion dollars
of interest— but only allows $4 billion in spending reductions over a ten-year period. Click on the video to view the full speech or click on any of the following blue boxes to view other excerpts from the speech.

“So, this is what some of you hear a number of us fussing about — we can’t figure out what the Senate was thinking. Were they just in avoidance, saying, “We don’t want to tell anyone we’re going to try to do something,”? It shouldn’t even be that hard. Remember, [baseline is] $86 trillion in spending. The House was just trying to do $2 trillion, and I thought that $2 trillion was absolutely anemic— we should have covered all $4.5 trillion. One of the hardest votes I’ve made in my decade+ here was standing right there and swallowing, saying, “I’m going to vote for this, but I’m really unhappy because we are capable of doing more,” and if we don’t start to telegraph to the bond markets that we’re going to do something serious, at what moment do the bond markets say, “Screw these people— they’re just not serious. They’re consuming the world’s capital. Let’s charge them more.” Do you really think the United States, with our exorbitant privilege of having the world’s reserve currency — being the country that people want to come and do their business in, move to, put their capital in — do you think that’s our birthright? Remember, up until World War II, it was Great Britain that had the world’s reserve currency. We are squandering our place in the world. And people are running around saying, “Well, we need to push down the value of the dollar!” You have trillions and trillions of dollars around the world held by people — and you’re going to push down the value of their holdings? Just understand: every time someone says something like that, you can actually start to see the full faith in the United States start to taper away.”

Key Quote: “And you wonder why some of us are cranky when our colleagues down the hall basically give us crap to work with.“

“When we all got elected this last November, United States sovereign debt [held by the public] was around $28 trillion. When we finish this 10-year cycle, we’re going to add another $28 trillion if we do what the Senate sent us. What took us 240 years to build up, we’re going to double in the next ten budget years. Go team; that’s the morality of this place. “But it’s hard, David,” to explain to people that we need to modernize; we need to change the way we deliver services; we need to use technology. And some programs — we should just stop, because they’ve been outdated for decades. This is important here. This is all without any disaster aid, without the potential economic slowdown, and without a war. I mean, just using what are actually optimistic numbers over the next ten-year tax receipts — what we’re talking about doing right now, over the next ten years, is doubling what took us 240 years to build up in debt. Does anyone care about your retirement? Does anyone have kids? Think of this. It may be insane — and my wife’s my age — I have a nine-year-old daughter, and a functionally two-and-a-half-year-old little boy we’ve adopted. And yes, they’re brother and sister. When my little boy is functionally 24 or 25 years old, every tax in the United States — every single tax — would have to double just to maintain baseline services. That’s the morality here: we are raising kids who would be part of the first generation to be structurally poorer than their parents. Because when you borrow money — it is a tax. It just means you’re going to let someone else pay it, with interest. It’s not free money; It’s a tax.”

“Functionally, 32.7 percent of the next decade— what they gave us— is borrowing… additional borrowing. They basically decided, over the next decade, “Let’s add another third of debt!” What are we going to do? For those of us in the House, who give these beautiful speeches about how it’s immoral to do this to our kids and crush people’s future retirements… what are we going to do? Are we going to step up and say, “Look, Republicans have priorities. The White House has priorities. We just have to find ways to finance them.” Are we that terrified to tell the truth?“

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Donald Norcross (1st District of New Jersey)

WASHINGTON, DC – Today, Representative Donald Norcross (D-NJ) and Senator Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI) reintroduced the Public Service Freedom to Negotiate Act, bicameral legislation to guarantee the right of public sector employees to organize, act concertedly, and bargain collectively in states that currently do not afford these basic protections. The lawmakers were joined by Representatives Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA) and Chris Deluzio (D-PA) in introducing the legislation.

“I know the power of collective bargaining because I’ve lived it,” said Congressman Norcross, a union electrician, member of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW), and co-chair of the Congressional Labor Caucus. “I spent decades at the negotiating table standing up for working families—fighting for fair pay, safer jobs, and better benefits like health care and retirement. This bill ensures public-sector workers across the country have the same rights to a voice on their job and a seat at the table.”

“Public sector workers teach our children, protect our safety, and keep our communities moving forward—they deserve the right to organize,” said Senator Hirono. “The Public Service Freedom to Negotiate Act will help ensure that millions of public sector workers across our country have the federal protections they deserve as they fight for fair wages, benefits, and improved working conditions. Private sector workers are already guaranteed the right to organize under federal law, it should be common sense that public sector workers are afforded those same rights. As President Trump works to gut our public sector workforce, this bill is crucial to protect workers’ freedom to organize and bargain collectively. I’m proud to lead this important legislation with Representative Norcross to help ensure that every public employee has their voice heard in the workplace.”

“No matter where they live, American workers in every sector should have the ability to form and join a union, or to collectively bargain to improve their workplace,” said Congressman Deluzio. “Public servants should have this right, just like other workers. Now is the time for solidarity: let’s come together and stand with hardworking Americans, defend the union way of life, and pass the bipartisan Public Service Freedom to Negotiate Act.”

“Passing this legislation has never been more urgent — especially now, as federal workers face unprecedented attacks on their collective bargaining rights,” said AFSCME President Lee Saunders. “We believe, as most Americans do, that every worker deserves a union — no matter who they work for. This bill is about something fundamental: respect. Respect for the public service workers who’ve devoted their careers to serving their communities. And respect means the freedom to negotiate.”

“When workers stand together in a union, their jobs and lives improve. But in half of the country, the people who keep our cities and towns running are banned from collectively bargaining for a good union contract. Every day, the attacks on the fundamental freedoms of workers who keep our streets and water clean, our public transportation moving, and our children learning are increasing from the highest level of government. We need federal law to protect their rights to form a union and negotiate fair contracts that allow them to continue to do the work that is so essential to our communities. We call on every member of Congress to stand with working people and support the Public Service Freedom to Negotiate Act,” said AFL-CIO President Liz Shuler.

“For years now, the rights of workers like nurses, librarians, educators, and all our essential public servants who dedicate themselves to our communities have been chipped away at, despite their dedication and selfless service to their communities,” said Claude Cummings Jr., president of the Communications Workers of America. “That’s why the Public Service Freedom to Negotiate Act is so vital. It protects public sector workers’ fundamental right to join together, bargain for fair pay, and stand up for decent working conditions. Congress needs to step up and pass this now and push back against efforts trying to undermine these essential rights.”

“As education, healthcare and public service workers, our members make a difference in the lives of others every day. But too many states don’t allow the people who do the work to have a voice,” said Randi Weingarten, President of AFT. “The Public Service Freedom to Negotiate Act would change that, ensuring public servants, no matter where they reside, have a means to influence their own lives. Whether it’s higher wages, safer working conditions, or a secure retirement, the ability to organize a union and bargain collectively lifts working families, students, patients, and entire communities up. That’s why we enthusiastically support this legislation and are committed to moving it forward.”

The Public Service Freedom to Negotiate Act would establish baseline federal protections to ensure all public service workers can join a union and negotiate workplace conditions—regardless of state law. The bill comes at a critical time, as recent federal actions have renewed attention on the collective bargaining rights of public employees, including those serving in national security-related agencies.

Specifically, The Public Service Freedom to Negotiate Act would set a minimum nationwide standard of collective bargaining rights that states must provide, including allowing public service workers to join together and have a voice on the job to improve both working conditions and the communities in which they live and work. The legislation gives public service workers the freedom to:

• Join together in a union selected by a majority of employees;
• Collectively bargain over wages, hours and terms and conditions of employment;
• Access dispute resolution mechanisms;
• Use voluntary payroll deduction for union dues;
• Engage in concerted activities related to collective bargaining and mutual aid;
• Have their union be free from requirements to hold rigged recertification elections; and
• File suit in court to enforce their labor rights.

Read the full bill text here. 

The bill is supported by the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME); the Communications Workers of America (CWA); American Federation of Teachers (AFT); AFL-CIO; Amalgamated Transit Union (ATU); Department for Professional Employees, AFL-CIO (DPE); International Brotherhood of Teamsters; International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM); International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE); International Federation of Professional and Technical Engineers (IFPTE); International Union of Police Associations (IUPA); International Union of Painters & Allied Trades (IUPAT); Laborer’s International Union of North America (LiUNA); National Education Association (NEA); National Nurses United; Service Employees International Union (SEIU); Transport Workers Union of America (TWU); UNITE HERE!; United Autoworkers; United Steelworkers (USW).

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Mike Johnson (LA-04)

WASHINGTON — This morning, at the weekly House Republican Leadership press conference, Speaker Johnson discussed the Senate budget resolution, Congressional Republicans delivering on the full Trump agenda through budget reconciliation, and House Republicans’ efforts to prevent noncitizens from voting in American elections. 

Watch Speaker Johnson’s full remarks here.

On the Senate Budget Resolution:
 
I want to make four important points about the Senate’s amendment to our house resolution: 1) The budget resolution is not the law. All this does is it allows us to continue the process begin drafting the actual legislation. It really counts, and that’s the one big, beautiful bill. 2) The Senate amendment makes no changes to the reconciliation instructions that we put into the budget resolution, so our objectives remain intact. 3) Any final reconciliation bill has to include historic spending reductions that we included in our resolution while also safeguarding essential programs. And you’ve heard a commitment from us over and over that that will happen, and the President has said it himself over and over as well. 4) Reconciliation will be a collaborative process between the House and Senate. 
 
You’re going to see the Republican Party in both chambers working together as one team. I know that’s a rare occasion, and people don’t really know what that looks like, but we’re actually going to do it this time. The House is not going to participate in an us versus them charade. We won’t do it to secure and accomplish our mission. We’ve got to be working together and rowing in the same direction. And I’m fiercely committed to doing that and so is leader Thune and our members on both sides. 
 
On delivering on the full Trump agenda:
 
Republicans have a historic, once-in-a-generation opportunity to deliver relief to hard working families and set our country back on the path of prosperity. The American people desperately need us to take this action, and we will. As we wrote in a letter to our conference this weekend, time really is of the essence. There’s a lot of pressure points that are outside of our control that are forcing this action. 
 
We’re months away from the X date on the debt limit. The border security resources are being diminished. Markets are unsettled, and the largest tax increase in American history is set to hit families and businesses at the end of this year if we do not act. And for all those reasons, we have no luxury of complacency, and we really don’t have time to dither on this thing. So, we’ll be moving that forward, and you’ll see that action this week. 
 
On the SAVE Act:
 
Polling shows that nearly 90% of the American people believe that proof of citizenship should be required to vote. There are few issues in American politics that enjoy that level of bipartisan support. This should pass with a massive bipartisan margin, but watch, it won’t. The Democrats are contorting themselves into a pretzel trying to justify some sort of vote against this. Last year, they argued we were too close to a federal election to make voting changes. And then they said that non-citizens don’t actually vote, and then they said the SAVE Act will somehow result in voter suppression. All that was total nonsense. 
 
Now they’re claiming that the SAVE Act disenfranchises married women who change their last names. I mean, it’s absurd. What they’re trying to do is protect the ability of noncitizens to participate in our elections. Plain and simple, that’s what this is about. And we know it’s a crisis because the last administration, as we all well know, opened the border wide, and we had by some counts 20 million illegal aliens come into the country. There’s no mechanism in federal law, in current law, that requires states to prove citizenship. So even though it is currently against the law, only US citizens should decide US elections. There’s no way to make sure that’s actually happening. The SAVE Act is so critically important, it follows common sense, and the American people are with us. The Democrats, I predict, will not be, and they’re going to have to answer for that. 
 

Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Don Beyer (D-VA)

Today, following President Trump’s decision to institute sweeping taxes on American consumers and businesses and engage in a global trade war with every single ally and trading partner, New Dems wrote to President Trump and his top advisors imploring the administration to change course on his erratic and unilateral tariff strategy. 

The letter from New Democrat Coalition Chair Brad Schneider, Economic Growth and Cost of Living Working Group Chair Chrissy Houlahan, and Trade Task Force Chair Don Beyer reads in part: 

Rather than engaging in an erratic and unilateral tariff strategy, we urge you to pursue a strategic and sustainable approach that strengthens our alliances, upholds international trade rules, and ensures fair competition through robust enforcement mechanisms. We urge you to focus on bringing down prices and implementing policies that support U.S. manufacturing, build supply chain resilience, and strengthen relationships with our trading partners. 

Since President Trump announced this national sales tax, global markets have crashed, companies have begun laying off workers, small businesses are considering closing their doors, and American consumers are seeing higher prices on everything from groceries to electronics and more. 

You can read the letter here or below: 

Dear President Trump,

As Members of the New Democrat Coalition, we write to express our deep concerns regarding your Administration’s approach to trade policy, particularly the imposition of sweeping tariffs on imports that are already raising costs for American consumers and businesses, undermining American competitiveness, and creating uncertainty that is stifling business investment and threatening jobs. We write on behalf of our constituents who were previously struggling to make ends meet and will now be forced to pay more for groceries, for new cars, for home appliances, and so much more. We can expect consumers to pause purchases, big and small, which will be a drain on our economy and diminish our children’s future prospects. 

When used thoughtfully, strategic and targeted tariffs can be a tool to protect American workers, ensure fair trade practices, and defend U.S. economic interests. Unfortunately, your latest announcement of capricious and sweeping universal and reciprocal tariffs undermines these goals, and in fact, moves us in the opposite direction. American workers, families, and businesses will pay the price. 

Tariffs function as taxes on American consumers and businesses, raising the costs of goods and materials essential for domestic manufacturing and production. Industries that rely on global supply chains, including agriculture, technology, and manufacturing, have already reported higher costs due to the tariffs in addition to increased sourcing challenges—both factors that are leading to price increases for American consumers. Many small businesses have made the difficult decision to pass these costs, which are a direct result of new tariffs, on to their customers and face significant challenges that will impact their ability to operate. Additionally, retaliatory tariffs from our trading partners have further restricted market access for American products, uniquely harming exporters and rural economies that depend on foreign markets to sell world class products. 

The unpredictability of your Administration’s trade agenda, characterized by on-again, off-again tariffs imposed on our closest allies in violation of trade agreements that your own administration negotiated has created an environment of uncertainty for American businesses. Businesses of all sizes depend on certainty to thrive. That certainty comes in the form of policy continuity, a clear regulatory framework, and an equitable and transparent system to resolve trade disputes. Absent this certainty, businesses cannot invest in innovation, American workers, or expanding their operations to international markets. Make no mistake, your Administration’s trade agenda is slowing economic growth and job creation, weakening U.S. global leadership, and increasing the cost of doing business with the United States. 

Rather than engaging in an erratic and unilateral tariff strategy, we urge you to pursue a strategic and sustainable approach that strengthens our alliances, upholds international trade rules, and ensures fair competition through robust enforcement mechanisms. We urge you to focus on bringing down prices and implementing policies that support U.S. manufacturing, build supply chain resilience, and strengthen relationships with our trading partners. 

The Constitution clearly states that no president, Democrat or Republican, has the power to raise taxes on the American people without the consent of Congress. We call on your administration to engage in meaningful consultation with Congress to ensure that trade policy reflects the interests and values of the American people. Given the dire consequences of an escalating trade war, we underscore Congress’s constitutional role in trade policy and respectfully request a meeting with the United States Trade Representative, Ambassador Jamieson Greer, to discuss your Administration’s trade strategy. We urge your administration to focus on policies that advance American interests without burdening consumers, isolating our trusted trading partners, and harming U.S. global leadership. 

Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Riley Moore (WV-02)

Washington, D.C. – Today, Congressman Riley M. Moore (R-WV) and Senator Mike Lee (R-UT) introduced the Fairness for Stay at Home Parents Act, which closes a loophole in the Family and Medical Leave Act to ensure employers can’t claw back the cost of health insurance premiums from an employee should he or she choose not to return to work after the birth of a child.

With health insurance premiums for family coverage averaging $25,000 per year, this current loophole can compel parents to return to work even if they feel unready or would prefer to stay home. 50% of mothers who return to work after the birth of their child experience feelings of guilt about not being with their newborn. This bill strengthens families by giving new parents the option to raise their children without having to worry about their employer clawing back their healthcare premiums.

The legislation has been endorsed by the American Principles Project, the Bull Moose Project, and the Human Coalition.

Congressman Moore issued the following statement:

“Being pro-life means being pro-family. That means ensuring families aren’t penalized for deciding to have a parent stay home with their new baby.

“Our bill ensures families won’t face a huge bill for insurance premiums simply for choosing what’s best for their family.”

Senator Mike Lee added:

“Our legislation rectifies a problem with the Family and Medical Leave Act that unfairly impacts mothers who decide to stay home with their newborns after maternity leave. Each additional financial burden we can remove from growing American families is a victory, and this bill will make it easier for hundreds of thousands of new parents to care for their kids.”

Brad Wilcox, Senior Fellow at the Institute for Family Studies, further added:

“Family policy should give parents the choice to care for their young children. The Fairness for Stay-at-Home Parents Act does this, which is why I think it is a smart idea.”

This story was first covered by the Daily Wire. Read more here.

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur (OH-09)

Washington, DC – Today, Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur (OH-09), Ranking Member of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Energy and Water Development, celebrated APA Solar’s announcement of a major $19.5 Million expansion in Northwest Ohio, which includes the construction of a new headquarters in Henry County and a manufacturing facility in Williams County. The project will bring 133 new jobs to the region, solidifying Northwest Ohio’s leadership in clean energy manufacturing and marking another proud moment in the region’s industrial resurgence.

Founded in 2008, APA Solar has grown into one of the largest fixed-tilt racking manufacturers in the United States, employing over 200 people and delivering innovative solutions to meet the growing demand for renewable energy infrastructure.

“This is a win for our workers, our Great Lakes region, and America’s clean energy independent future,” said Congresswoman Kaptur. “APA Solar’s investment reinforces what we in Northwest Ohio have always known: our skilled workforce and proud industrial legacy can drive the future of American innovation. I applaud APA for believing in our communities as much as I do and leading the way toward a more sustainable and prosperous tomorrow for generations to come.”

The company’s expansion includes a 30,000-square-foot state-of-the-art headquarters to be completed by early 2026, and a new manufacturing operation in Bryan expected to begin this summer. The Bryan facility will bring 80 new manufacturing jobs and over $5 Million in payroll over the next three years.

“The renewable energy industry is growing rapidly and APA continues to grow with it. APA has been in business 17 years and is one of the top manufacturers in the solar racking hardware space. Northwest Ohio has been a great location for APA due to the large amount of local manufacturing to help support our supply chain, along with great skilled employees,” said Josh Von Deylen, APA Solar’s CEO.

The project was made possible by strong collaboration between APA Solar and local, regional, and state economic development organizations, including JobsOhio, the Regional Growth Partnership, the Henry County Community Improvement Corporation, and the Williams County Economic Development Corporation.

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Elise Stefanik (21st District of New York)

ICYMI: Jewish News Syndicate: ‘The Stefanik Doctrine’: A stronger stand against antisemitism | Press Releases | Congresswoman Elise Stefanik

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Mike Levin (CA-49)

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Norma Torres (35th District of California)