MIL USHOR-2b Engine

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Al Green (TX-9)

(Washington, D.C.) — On Thursday, March 19, 2026, Congressman Al Green delivered remarks on the House floor, exposing the crypto industry for spending mega millions to control Congress. 

You can access and listen to Congressman Al Green’s speech on his official YouTube page or by clicking here. The floor speech highlighted is also accessible on various social media platforms, including Bluesky, Facebook, Instagram, and X (formerly known as Twitter). 

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Clay Higgins (R-LA)

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Clay Higgins (R-LA) reintroduced H.R. 7996, the Linemen Legacy Act, which would include utility line technicians under the Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) definition of “emergency response providers.” 

The bill would properly recognize the role of utility line technicians in the aftermath of natural disasters. Congressman Donald Norcross (D-NJ) is co-leading the bipartisan legislation. 

“Utility linemen perform heroic work after natural disasters. We see this firsthand in Louisiana, as linemen work tirelessly for weeks to restore power to our state after a major hurricane,” said Rep. Higgins. “Our bill both honors linemen and streamlines storm recovery efforts by enhancing the Stafford Act definition of first responders.”  

“The National Electrical Contractors Association (NECA) proudly endorses the Lineman Legacy Act, introduced by Representatives Clay Higgins and Donald Norcross. When disaster strikes, electrical contractors and their linemen are among the first on the ground, working around the clock to restore power and keep communities safe. They run toward danger while others are told to stay away and federal law should reflect that reality,” said Marco Giamberardino, NECA Chief Communications Officer. “This bipartisan legislation delivers long-overdue recognition to the men and women who risk their lives to restore our grid in the wake of hurricanes, winter storms, and other emergencies. NECA commends Representatives Higgins and Norcross for honoring the safety risks linemen face every day and urges swift passage of this meaningful legislation.”

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Carol Miller (R-WV)

Washington, D.C. – Congresswoman Carol Miller (R-WV) joined her colleagues on the Ways and Means Health Subcommittee for a hearing examining the persistent challenges in end-stage renal disease (ESRD) care, including stagnant patient outcomes, barriers to innovation, and disparities in access to treatment.

Six in ten Americans live with a chronic disease, and ESRD remains one of the most severe, costly, and preventable conditions among them. Although Congress extended Medicare coverage to ESRD patients in 1972, the care delivery system has seen little meaningful improvement in more than five decades. Today, misaligned payment incentives continue to favor in-facility dialysis over home-based options, slowing the adoption of innovative treatments and limiting patient choice. These challenges are especially acute in rural and underserved communities, where access to care is already constrained. Patients may also face discriminatory practices in commercial dialysis coverage, further complicating their ability to receive timely and appropriate treatment. The hearing provided Members with an opportunity to question witnesses on these systemic issues and explore policy solutions to improve outcomes and expand access for ESRD patients.

A video and full transcript of Congresswoman Miller’s remarks can be found below.

Congresswoman Miller began by discussing her work advancing high-quality kidney care and addressing gaps in innovation for patients with end-stage renal disease. She emphasized the need to expand access to new treatments and discussed her Kidney Care Access Protection Act before questioning Mr. John Butler, President and Chief Executive Officer of Akebia Therapeutics, on how the legislation would help sustain innovation and improve patient care outcomes.

“I’m really really pleased to be here today as our committee focuses this particularly vulnerable population and a chronic disease I have spent much of my work in Congress addressing: individuals who are living with end-stage renal disease.

When I first immersed myself in the kidney community, very quickly I learned one of the biggest issues facing ESRD patients is the lack of innovation in dialysis treatments.

Twenty-five percent of all Medicare fee-for-service spending goes to kidney care, but new therapies are rare.

I’ve introduced the Kidney Care Access Protection Act with my colleague Terri Sewell to restore innovation and hope for kidney patients, because they deserve the same access to innovation as every other Medicare beneficiary.

This legislation ensures patients continue to receive high-quality care and timely access to innovative treatments by extending innovation payments for three years, providing Medicare Advantage parity through direct facility payments, and correcting CMS errors that previously failed to account for rising labor and supply costs.

Mr. Butler, given your 25 years of experience advancing pharmaceutical care for renal patients and your leadership at Akebia in developing therapies, can you explain how the Kidney Care Access Protection Act would help sustain innovation in ESRD treatments and ensure that patients continue to have access to high-quality, cutting-edge care?” asked Congresswoman Miller.

“Congresswoman, first, thank you so much for your advocacy for patients with ESRD. You have been a leader and everyone in the community appreciates that. So thank you and thank you for your question. And I’ll give one statistic, I heard the number this morning, that there are 1300 late stage clinical programs in development for Oncology. There is one for patients on dialysis.

So the idea that is embodied in the Kidney Care Access Protection Act is that there’s a sustainable reimbursement pathway that still falls under the the ESRD benefit. So, you know, has that same, you know, kind of built in discounts to the so, so you’re controlling costs. But when you think about investing, you know, when you’re making the decision, I can invest in Oncology, I can invest in kidney care. And I know that there’s a path that I can invest and bring that innovation to patients who need it, who absolutely need it.

There’s an innovation in prevention in CKD. When you start dialysis, you deserve the same kind of innovation. And the part, the section 101 of the bill really does define that for any private sector to look at that and say, ‘I know I can invest here and it will help patients in the end.’ And we’re very, very supportive of that. Thank you,” responded Mr. Butler.

Before questioning Ms. Ashli Littleton, a home dialysis patient in Clarksville, TN, Congresswoman Miller concluded by highlighting her pending legislation, the Improving Access to Home Dialysis Act. This bill would expand Medicare support for staff-assisted home dialysis, helping more patients with end-stage renal disease safely receive care at home while improving quality of life for those who need additional assistance.

“Ms. Littleton, my first year of marriage was spent in Clarksville, Tennessee when my husband was serving in the 101st. That’s really where I learned to become a grown-up, so I have very fond memories. Thank you for being here and sharing your experience.

As someone who is utilizing staff-assisted home dialysis, your perspective is incredibly important as we think about how to better support patients living with ESRD.

I’ve been working on legislation, the Improving Access to Home Dialysis Act, that would, for the first time, ensure Medicare supports staff-assisted home dialysis by providing an add-on payment and expanding access for patients who may need extra help, whether temporarily or long-term due to medical conditions.

My question for you, Ms. Littleton, is from your experience, how has access to staff-assisted home dialysis impacted your quality of life, and what would it mean for patients like you if Medicare more consistently covered and supported this option for those who need assistance to safely dialyze at home?” asked Congresswoman Miller.

 

“Thank you. For me, it’s just more confidence in my ability to do the dialysis at home. I know I have the support if anything goes wrong and I have the staff there that can assist me. And so with that, I’m able to do it and not be afraid of anything going wrong because I know that I have backup there that are very accessible to me. They’re just a phone call away,” responded Ms. Littleton.

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Michael McCaul (10th District of Texas)

WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Congressman Michael McCaul — chairman of the Homeland Security Committee’s “Task Force on Securing the Homeland Amidst Special Events” — released the following statement on the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)’s award of $625 million to 11 cities hosting the FIFA World Cup 2026.

“While the FIFA World Cup presents a unique opportunity to showcase American leadership and excellence, we must be clear-eyed about the threats. As we’ve learned from past events, including the Boston Marathon bombing, those who seek to do us harm often exploit events of this magnitude as a backdrop for terror. These grants will actively work to thwart those evolving dangers in today’s heightened threat environment.

“I’m grateful to all those at FEMA who pushed through Democrats’ DHS shutdown to get these vital security grants out the door — including more than $100 million for host cities in Texas. With less than 90 days to go until the opening match, I will continue working at full speed in Congress and alongside the White House task force to protect all players, spectators, and local communities.”

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Linda Sanchez (38th District of CA)

WASHINGTON – Congresswomen Linda T. Sánchez (D-Calif.) and Carol Miller (R-W.V.), members of the Ways and Means Committee, today introduced the Child Care Supply Tax Credit Act, a bipartisan bill to address the nationwide child care shortage by creating a tax credit to help providers attract and retain qualified staff.

As child care costs continue to rise faster than inflation, parents in California now pay nearly $22,000 annually for infant care and $13,000 for a 4-year-old. In West Virginia, the cost is nearly $10,000 for both.

“It’s ridiculous that it can be cheaper to send a child to college than to preschool,” said Congresswoman Sánchez. “If we’re serious about supporting working families, we need to make child care more affordable and accessible. Our bill will help providers hire and retain qualified staff, so parents have reliable options for their young children without paying higher prices.”

“Parents across the country continue to struggle with the rising costs of childcare due to the industry’s workforce shortage. Attractive wages attract employees, and a large part of the cost of retaining the staff needed to adequately and safely care for the children is often passed on from the provider to the parents,” said Congresswoman Miller. “Building on the increased Child Tax Credit and expansion of the Child and Dependent Care Tax Credit that were secured by the passage of the Working Families Tax Cuts last summer, I am happy to join my colleagues Rep. Sánchez and Senators Justice and Warner in introducing the Child Care Supply Tax Credit Act to go one step further in addressing rising childcare costs. By providing a tax credit to assist our providers in paying their staff, we can limit the costs being passed on to parents.”

In the United States, child care workers earn less than the average worker despite a high level of responsibility and demanding training requirements. These low wages lead to high turnover and difficulty in recruitment, ultimately resulting in fewer available classroom slots and higher costs for families. 

The bipartisan Child Care Supply Tax Credit Act would create a new tax credit for eligible child care facilities to help offset the cost of employee wages, incentivizing higher pay for workers who directly care for children, while preventing the benefit from going toward administrative overhead.

Senators Mark R. Warner (D-Va.) and Jim Justice (R-W.V.) previously introduced companion legislation in the Senate.

“From health care premiums to groceries to utility bills, life is only getting more and more expensive for American families, and for many, the math simply doesn’t work without affordable child care,” said Senator Warner. “Child care is the foundation that allows parents to earn a living while providing kids with the head start they deserve. I’m proud to introduce this bipartisan legislation to address the workforce challenges contributing to our nation’s child care crisis.”

“Childcare providers simply can’t afford to pay their workers enough without passing those high costs on to parents. Families in West Virginia and across the country are spending thousands of dollars just to secure reliable childcare – it must be addressed. By creating a targeted tax credit tied directly to caregiver wages, we can pay the people who take care of our kids what they deserve while giving our hard-working families some breathing room,” said Senator Justice.

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Aumua Amata (Western Samoa)

Washington, D.C. – Congresswoman Uifa’atali Amata, who serves as Vice Chairman of the House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs (HVAC), is highlighting a lengthy slate of 27 Veterans’ bills and proposals examined by the Committee in a Wednesday legislative hearing. 

The US Capitol on a rare warm day earlier this March

These bills are part of the Committee’s reauthorization effort led by Chairman Mike Bost (R-IL) to review and improve programs at the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), many of which have not been specifically reauthorized by Congress in 30 years, with the objective of renewing expired authorities, providing better oversight, improving infrastructure, and modernizing the delivery of healthcare, benefits, and research for Veterans.

“To each of our Veterans, thank you for your service and your leadership in our islands,” said Vice Chairman Amata. “Better services and the well-being of our Veterans are constant priorities, as well as keeping you informed. This week, the Committee examined the text of 27 bills, with each bill seeking to improve a specific area of need for our Veterans, or reform an aspect of the VA for better services. I will keep our Veterans updated as votes are scheduled.”

Chairman Bost said, “From reorganizing the largest integrated healthcare system in the country, to cutting through the red tape in VA’s construction and facility leasing process, to modernizing VA’s healthcare research processes and education benefits delivery to better serve veterans, and much more – the bills we discussed at today’s hearing would make a difference in the day to day lives of veterans and their families.”

The Committee examined the following legislation and proposals:

• H.R: 6733, the VISN Reform Act of 2025 (introduced by Chairman Bost regarding the Veterans Integrated Service Network)
• H.R. 6843, the Establishing the Veterans Economic Opportunity and Transition Administration Act of 2025
• H.R. 6861, the Consolidating Veteran Employment Services for Improved Performance Act
• H.R. 6580, the VA National Formulary Act of 2025
• H.R. 6755, the Accountable Leadership for Veterans Act of 2025
• H.R. 6599, the Leasing and Infrastructure Act of 2025
• H.R. 6583, the Research Reform Act of 2025
• H.R. 6549, the VA Contracting and Procurement Act
• H.R.6740, the VA TRUST Act
• H.R. 6764, the Veterans Affairs Advisory Committee Oversight Act of 2025
• H.R. 6833, the Acquisition Reform and Cost Assessment Act of 2025
• H.R. 2303, the Board of Veterans’ Appeals Attorney Retention and Backlog Reduction Act
• H.R. 210, the Dental Care for Veterans Act
• H.R.5203, to direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to update directives of the Department of Veterans Affairs regarding the management of acute sexual assault
• H.R.4114, the Ensuring Veterans’ Smooth Transition (EVEST) Act (regarding the VA patient enrollment system)
• H.R.3183, the SAFE STEPS for Veterans Act of 2025 (regarding age-related falls prevention)
• H.R.3869, the Every Veteran Housed Act
• H.R.1732, the GUARD VA Benefits Act
• H.R.2722, the VA Funding and Workforce Protection Act
• H.R.1391, the Student Veteran Benefit Restoration Act of 2025
• H.R. 6904, the Veterans Readiness and Employment Improvement and Accountability Act of 2025
• H.R.4876, the Reproductive Freedom for Veterans Act
• Discussion Draft, the Get Justice-Involved Veterans BACK HOME Act
• Discussion Draft, the Toxic Exposure Advisory Committee Establishment Act
• Discussion Draft, to amend title 38, United States Code, to establish the Advisory Committee on Toxic Exposure of the Department of Veterans Affairs
• Discussion Draft, the Honor Vets Act
• Discussion Draft, to provide for the modernization of the electronic health record system and other health information technology activities and systems of the Department of Veterans Affairs.

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Betty McCollum (DFL-Minn)

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Congresswoman Betty McCollum (D, MN-04) and Senate Minority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) today reintroduced the Forever Chemical Regulation and Accountability Act bicameral legislation to address the use of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in the domestic supply chain. The use of PFAS, commonly known as “forever chemicals,” has severely contaminated water sources and their surrounding environments across the United States. 

“Minnesotans know all too well the threat that PFAS contamination poses to the health and safety of our communities. I’m proud to partner with Senator Durbin to reintroduce our legislation which will set a ten-year national deadline to eliminate PFAS wherever possible,” said McCollum. “This legislation builds on the leadership of Minnesota’s elected officials, who passed Amara’s Law to protect the health of our residents and confront environmental contamination through a ban on non-essential uses of PFAS. Our legislation would establish a federal ban, while also investing in research and ensuring thoughtful, science-backed safeguards that keep people safe and healthy. Reintroducing this legislation is the first step towards ensuring that communities across America have access to the clean and safe drinking water they deserve.”

“Protecting our environment and Americans from toxic hazards like PFAS is a matter of public health—especially when PFAS is commonly used in household products and can be found in our water systems,” said Durbin.  “With the Forever Chemical Regulation and Accountability Act, we can work toward phasing out the unnecessary uses of PFAS, protecting consumers and our environment from the hazards of these chemicals.”

PFAS are a class of chemicals that are highly toxic and can even be harmful at low doses. They are considered “forever chemicals” as they do not break down easily and can accumulate in people, food, and the environment. Exposure in people can occur by consuming PFAS-contaminated water or food or by using products that contain PFAS such as food packaging or non-stick cooking surfaces. Despite preliminary evidence showing the chemicals’ toxicity as early as the 1960s, these dangers were not publicly known until the late 1990s. It is estimated 99 percent of Americans have PFAS in their blood. PFAS have been linked to serious illnesses, including several types of cancer, birth defects, and thyroid disease.

The Forever Chemical Regulation and Accountability Act would:

1. Initiate a National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine study to review the persistence, bioaccumulation, and human health risks of PFAS. The Academies would also identify current PFAS uses and provide guidance on classification of essential or non-essential uses, which will be used by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to require those designated “non-essential” be phased out;
2. Require all PFAS manufacturers and users to file reports with EPA to disclose certain information relating to PFAS, and require manufacturers and users to submit a phase-out schedule of their products to be completed within 10 years;
3. Direct EPA to facilitate phasing out non-essential PFAS production, consumption, and possession and prohibit manufacturers and commercial users from releasing any PFAS into the environment within 10 years;
4. Establish deadlines for manufacturers to remove PFAS from certain consumer goods such as rugs, furniture, and child products;
5. Reinforce that, to the maximum extent possible, PFAS should be eliminated from products or replaced by substitutes that reduce risk to human health and the environment. The bill also would direct federal agencies to maximize resources to achieve this goal;
6. Establish regional PFAS rapid response hubs to advance PFAS replacement and remediation;
7. Require EPA to collect fees to administer the reporting and petition processes;
8. Prevent large corporations from exploiting bankruptcy procedures to avoid persistent, bioaccumulative, and toxic chemicals, claims, ensuring that individuals who have been harmed by such chemicals can have their day in court; and
9. Update the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA) to toll state statutes of limitations and statutes of repose for newly-designated hazardous substances, such as PFAS, until the later of the date on which it was designated as a hazardous substance or when the plaintiff knew or reasonably should have known their injury was caused by the substance. 

The full text of the bill can be found here. A fact sheet on the bill can be found here. A section by section summary can be found here.

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Robert Aderholt (AL-04)

WASHINGTON — Congressman Robert Aderholt (R-Ala.) and House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform Chairman James Comer (R-Ky.) are continuing their investigation into pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) and are urging the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) to protect patient care as new bipartisan reforms are implemented.

Aderholt also pointed to the real-world impact of PBM practices on independent pharmacies in North Alabama, including a column by Brooke Walker, a pharmacist at Geraldine Drugs in DeKalb County, who described the growing financial strain these practices are placing on community pharmacies and their customers.

“In her heartfelt piece, Brooke Walker made clear what I’ve been hearing across our district, independent pharmacists are being pushed to the brink by unfair reimbursement practices,” said Congressman Aderholt. “These pharmacies are more than businesses; they are lifelines for our rural communities.”

PBMs act as middlemen in the prescription drug supply chain, determining reimbursement rates and influencing where patients fill prescriptions. Critics say their practices—including low reimbursement rates and steering patients toward affiliated pharmacies—have contributed to the closure of independent pharmacies across Alabama and the country.

In Alabama alone, pharmacists have warned that they are sometimes paid less than the cost of filling prescriptions, with some reporting losses on a significant share of medications. These pressures have led to widespread pharmacy closures, particularly in rural communities where access to care is already limited.

“Patients in places like rural Alabama shouldn’t have to drive miles to fill a prescription because their hometown pharmacy was forced to close,” Aderholt continued. “That’s why this issue matters—not just in Washington, but in communities across our district.”

In a letter to CMS, Aderholt and Comer emphasized that recently passed bipartisan reforms aimed at increasing PBM transparency and accountability must be implemented in a way that:

• protects patient access to medications,
• ensures fair reimbursement for pharmacies, and
• prevents PBMs from circumventing the law.

“The House Oversight Committee exposed how the three largest PBMs colluded to line their own pockets,” said Chairman Comer. “These self-benefitting pricing tactics have done nothing but jeopardize patient care, undermine local pharmacies, and raise prescription drug prices. Congress took action to advance legislative solutions to support patients and provide greater transparency in the PBM industry. While these new bipartisan reforms take effect, CMS must also ensure patients are protected and can access quality care without interference from PBMs. Americans deserve affordable medications, and Congress will continue to work in a bipartisan fashion to restore competition in the pharmaceutical marketplace.”

“Congress has taken important steps to rein in PBMs,” Aderholt said. “Now CMS must ensure these reforms are carried out as intended so patients—not middlemen—come first.”

The lawmakers pledged to continue their oversight efforts to ensure that federal policy strengthens patient protections, lowers prescription drug costs, and preserves access to care in communities like those across North Alabama.

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Tom McClintock Representing the 4th District of California

Washington, D.C. – The House of Representatives today passed HR 1958 (Taylor) with Rep. McClintock’s legislation “Consequences for Social Security Fraud Act” folded into the bill.

Rep. McClintock’s “Consequences for Social Security Fraud Act” makes specific acts related to Social Security or identification document fraud a ground for barring a non-U.S. national from admission into the United States or deporting the individual.  Offenses that trigger this ground of inadmissibility and deportability include knowingly and without lawful authority producing a false identification document and making a false statement of material fact in an application for Social Security disability benefits.

Congressman McClintock delivered remarks in support of the amendment containing his bill language at the House Judiciary Committee markup:

 This amendment delineates specific federal crimes that make an alien inadmissible to, or removable from, the United States.  This amendment also incorporates my “Consequences for Social Security Fraud Act” which the House passed on a bi-partisan basis two years ago. 

That bill simply says if you are an alien who admits to, or is convicted of, social security fraud or identification document fraud, you cannot enter the country, and if you are already here, you should be deported.  That’s just common sense. Even the New York Times recently reported that “as many as one million” illegal aliens are using fraudulent or stolen social security numbers.  According to another report in 2017 there were 1.2 million cases in which illegal aliens used social security numbers that belonged to somebody else or were fabricated.  That number surely has skyrocketed following four years of the Biden-Harris open borders.  

A 2022 investigative report found that because of this fraud “victims may face tax bills for income they didn’t earn, or depleted benefits, and may suffer from poor credit histories, or even criminal histories.” By specifically listing federal crimes that make an alien inadmissible to, and removable from, the United States this amendment closes loopholes, removes the years-long litigation that so often bogs down the removal process, and strengthens the immigration system.  

Finally, the amendment guarantees that the fraudsters described in this bill cannot exploit Americans generosity ever again by receiving any immigration relief in this country.

The legislation will next go to the Senate.

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Frank Pallone (6th District of New Jersey)

WASHINGTON, D.C.— With electricity costs climbing across New Jersey, House Energy and Commerce Committee Ranking Member Frank Pallone, Jr. (NJ-06) is pressing federal regulators to step in before ratepayers are hit with another increase.

In a letter sent today to Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) Chairman Laura Swett, Pallone called for immediate approval of PJM Interconnection’s proposal to extend its price cap for upcoming capacity auctions, arguing that failure to act will leave New Jersey residents exposed to another round of sharp cost hikes. 

“I urge you to approve PJM Interconnection’s proposal to extend its price cap for the upcoming capacity auctions and prevent New Jersey residents from absorbing yet another sharp increase in their electricity costs. When PJM fell behind in connecting new sources of energy generation to the grid, electricity ratepayers in New Jersey and throughout PJM’s territory were punished for that incompetence,” wrote New Jersey’s 6th District Congressman. 

Electricity prices across the PJM region have already surged following increases in capacity auction prices, with average residential rates in New Jersey now roughly 18 percent higher than they were a year ago. The current price cap has helped limit additional increases this year, but that protection is set to expire without further action from FERC.

Pallone pointed to PJM’s ongoing failure to connect new sources of energy to the grid as a central driver of the problem, leaving supply constrained while demand continues to rise. As a result, ratepayers across New Jersey and the broader PJM region are bearing the cost of those delays.

At the same time, broader market pressures are compounding the situation. Supply chain disruptions tied to tariffs and the repeal of key energy tax credits under Republicans’ “Big Ugly Bill” have made it more difficult for developers to bring new power generation online. Those challenges are expected to persist through the end of the decade, raising concerns about whether sufficient electricity supply will be available to meet demand in 2029 and 2030.

Pallone argued that extending the price cap for two additional auction cycles would provide a necessary pause, giving regulators, states, and Congress time to pursue longer-term solutions to stabilize the grid and protect consumers. He also noted that growing electricity demand from data centers and artificial intelligence is adding new pressure to the system, making timely action even more critical.

“While the price cap is not a silver bullet for the problems facing the PJM region, extending it is a critical first step toward prioritizing affordability.  Without it, I am concerned that other reforms and changes to our region’s electricity system will not be able to protect New Jersey families and small businesses from higher energy bills,” Pallone wrote.

The public comment period for PJM’s proposal ends tomorrow, Friday, March 20.

Full letter can be found here and below: 

The Honorable Laura V. Swett

Chairman

Federal Energy Regulatory Commission

888 First Street NE

Washington, DC 20426

 

RE: PJM Interconnection, L.L.C., Docket No. ER26-1556

 

Dear Chairman Swett:

 

                  I urge you to approve PJM Interconnection’s  proposal to extend its price cap for the upcoming capacity auctions and prevent New Jersey residents from absorbing yet another sharp increase in their electricity costs. When PJM fell behind in connecting new sources of energy generation to the grid, electricity ratepayers in New Jersey and throughout PJM’s territory were punished for that incompetence.  The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) must act to extend the price cap because New Jersey residents and businesses cannot shoulder additional energy price increases. 

 

                  New Jersey families are facing an electricity cost crisis and they deserve immediate relief. As you know, the increase in PJM’s capacity price starting with the 2025/2026 Base Residual Auction (BRA) has caused retail electricity prices to spike across the PJM footprint, including in New Jersey where the average residential rates are now 18 percent higher than they were a year ago.[1]  That means the typical New Jersey household saw their annual electricity bill increase by more than $300 per year.[2]  PJM’s existing price cap was absolutely vital to ensuring that residential rates in New Jersey will see relatively limited increases this year.[3]  But without action from FERC, that limited reprieve will disappear. 

 

                  There is only one solution to PJM’s problems: ensuring there is a sufficient supply of electricity to meet demand, but PJM’s antiquated processes for interconnecting new sources of power to the grid will prevent significant amounts of electricity from coming online by the end of the decade.  Making matters worse is the chaos in energy supply chains resulting from President Trump’s illegal tariffs and the foolish repeal of energy tax credits last year in Republicans’ Big Ugly Bill.[4]^,[5]  Combined, these factors erode any ability for power plant developers to build new power plants in PJM’s territory in time to serve the region’s needs in 2029 or 2030.  That is why FERC must grant relief for PJM’s ratepayers by extending the price cap for two more auction cycles. 

 

                  As PJM noted in its transmittal letter, this filing is just one in a suite of filings that PJM plans to make over the course of this year to reform its markets.  However, those filings and incremental auctions will not come until afterthe 2028/2029 BRA – leaving ratepayers who will pay for the costs of that auction in limbo, unless FERC acts.[6]  If FERC acts expeditiously, it will give PJM, its states, and Congress time to debate and enact other vital reforms to safeguard ratepayers from increasing electricity prices driven by data centers fueling artificial intelligence tools. You must allow time for this process and allow energy system operators and regulators the opportunity to chart a more stable path. 

 

                  I appreciated the commitment you made to prioritize affordability at an Energy Subcommittee hearing last month.  While the price cap is not a silver bullet for the problems facing the PJM region, extending it is a critical first step toward prioritizing affordability.  Without it, I am concerned that other reforms and changes to our region’s electricity system will not be able to protect New Jersey families and small businesses from higher energy bills.  I appreciate your consideration and, as always, stand ready to work with you and your colleagues to make electricity more affordable. 

 

Sincerely,

 

 

Frank Pallone, Jr. 

 

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[1] U.S. Energy Information Administration, Electric Power Monthly: Average Price of Electricity to Ultimate Customers by End-Use Sector(Feb. 24, 2026) (https://www.eia.gov/electricity/monthly/epm_table_grapher.php?t=epmt_5_06_a)

[2] New Jersey Board of Public Utilities, NJBPU Announces Conclusion of New Jersey’s Annual Electricity Supply Auction (March 18, 2026) (https://www.nj.gov/bpu/newsroom/2025/approved/20250212.html)

[3] New Jersey Board of Public Utilities, New Jersey Board of Public Utilities Certifies 2026 Electricity Auction Results (Feb. 12, 2026) (https://www.nj.gov/bpu/newsroom/2026/approved/20260212.html)

[4] David Yellen and Sagatom Saha, Policy Brief: How Tariffs are Undermining U.S. Energy and Economic Security, Clean Air Task Force (June 4, 2025) (https://www.catf.us/resource/policy-brief-how-tariffs-undermining-us-energy-economic-security/)

[5] Marina Domingues, Matthew Bernstein, and Katie Keenan, Trump’s ‘Big Beautiful Bill’ Transforms Supply Chains, Undercuts Renewables and Recalibrates Energy Finance, Rystad Energy (Sep. 3, 2025) (https://www.rystadenergy.com/insights/trump-s-big-beautiful-bill-transforms-supply-chains-undercuts-renewables-and-reca)

[6] Letter from Craig Glazer, Vice President–Federal Government Policy, PJM Interconnection, L.L.C. and Chenchao Lu, Associate General Counsel, PJM Interconnection, L.L.C., to Debbie-Anne A. Reese, Secretary, Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (February 27, 2026).