MIL USHOR-2b Engine

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Adrian Smith (R-NE)

Today, Congressman Adrian Smith (NE-03), co-chair of the Biofuels Caucus, released the following statement after his Nationwide Consumer and Fuel Retailer Choice Act passed the U.S. House of Representatives with bipartisan support:  
 
“Today’s House passage of my Nationwide Consumer and Fuel Retailer Choice Act marks a historic win for America’s consumers, farmers, and energy independence. For over a decade, I have championed nationwide, year-round E15 to end years of patchwork regulations and expand much-needed market access for Nebraska’s biofuels producers. While I am grateful for the bipartisan support of my colleagues today, I know there is still more work to do. I urge the Senate to take up this bill and send it to President Trump’s desk so he can sign it into law and make nationwide, year-round E15 a reality once and for all.” 
 
Background: 
Smith has championed year-round E15 since 2015, when he first introduced a bill to allow year-round E15 during the 114th Congress. Over the past decade, Smith has been leading the charge to bring agriculture, biofuel, and petroleum stakeholders together in order to deliver regulatory relief and certainty.  
 
In 2025, he introduced the Nationwide Consumer and Fuel Retailer Choice Act of 2025 to break down the remaining barriers and unlock the full potential of nationwide year-round E15, further advancing America’s energy independence. In the U.S. Senate, Senator Deb Fischer (R-NE) introduced companion legislation.  
 
After falling short in January, Smith led the charge to secure the House passage of nationwide, year-round E15, and will continue to work with his colleagues in the Senate to send his legislation to President Trump’s desk, where he will sign it into law.  
 
In addition to Smith, the Nationwide Consumer and Fuel Retailer Choice Act was championed by U.S. Representatives Angie Craig (D-MN), Dusty Johnson (R-SD), Nikki Budzinski (D-IL), Mariannette Miller-Meeks (R-IA), Sharice Davids (D-KS), Mike Flood (R-NE), Mike Bost (R-IL), Max Miller (R-OH), Mary Miller (R-IL), Brad Finstad (R-MN), Ron Estes (R-KS), Darin LaHood (R- IL), Blake Moore (R-UT), Derrick Van Orden (R- WI), Zach Nunn (R-IA), Eric Sorensen (D-IL), Robin Kelly (D-IL), Mark Alford (R-MO), Dave Taylor (R-OH), Randy Feenstra (R-IA), Tracey Mann (R-KS), Ashley Hinson (R-IA), Michelle Fischbach (R-MN), Don Bacon (R-NE), Derek Schmidt (R-KS), Michael Guest (R-MS), Emanuel Cleaver (D-MO), Kristen McDonald Rivet (D-MI), and Don Davis (D-NC). 

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Jim Baird (R-IN-04)

Congressman Baird Votes to Support Indiana Farmers and Make E-15 Available Year-Round

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Jared Golden (ME-02)

WASHINGTON — Congressman Jared Golden (ME-02) today announced he would vote in favor of a ‘clean’ war powers resolution to remove the United States from hostilities against Iran. 

One such resolution, H.Con.Res.86, sponsored by Congressman Gregory Meeks (NY-05), will become eligible for a floor vote as early as next week. 

“I have said since the start of this conflict that the War Powers Act of 1973 grants the president only 60 days to conduct military operations without an explicit authorization from Congress,” Golden said. “President Trump, like all his predecessors, has refused to recognize the limitations of the War Powers Act, but to me the law is clear. His window for unilateral military engagement has closed. Hostilities, including the use of the U.S. fleet to impose a blockade of Iranian ports, cannot legally continue unless the president seeks, and wins, Congressional approval.”

H.Con.Res.86 will be the first clean war powers resolution eligible for a vote since the 60-day deadline for the president to seek Congressional authorization was surpassed on May 1. Golden has opposed prior resolutions in recognition that the administration had, to that point, met its obligations under the War Powers Act. 

Golden also announced that he will oppose a separate resolution, offered by Congressman Josh Gottheimer (NJ-05), that has been widely reported to be coming to the floor for a vote this week. That measure, H.Con.Res.75, was originally submitted on March 4 and would have reduced the deadline for Congressional authorization from 60 days to 30 days. This resolution was rendered moot one day after the 30-day deadline it sought to impose on the president.

“I supported this resolution when it was introduced, but unfortunately its proposed 30-day deadline lacks any real meaning now that we are more than 70 days into this conflict,” Golden said. “It no longer passes the straight-face test. I look forward to voting for a clean, relevant resolution as soon as possible.”

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman John Garamendi – Representing California’s 3rd Congressional District

WASHINGTON, DC — Today, Congressman John Garamendi (CA-08) joined Congressman Seth Magaziner (RI-02) in leading 54 of their colleagues in demanding answers from Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth on the Department of Defense’s halt of its review process for wind energy projects, which has led to an effective halt on all wind development.  

In the letter, the members cite reports that Department of Defense (DoD) reviews for wind energy projects have inexplicably halted at all stages of the approval process, delaying the construction of affordable, reliable domestic energy projects.  

The lawmakers requested answers as well as immediate corrective action for the delays. They also requested a briefing from the DoD to better understand the basis for the delays and the impact they could have on energy costs, domestic energy production, and ongoing development projects.

These delays come as Americans face rising energy costs and increased demand for affordable, reliable energy.

The letter is signed by Gabe Amo (RI-01), Nanette Diaz Barragán (CA-44), Donald S. Beyer Jr. (VA-08), Suzanne Bonamici (OR-01), Nikki Budzinski (IL-13), Kathy Castor (FL-14), Sean Casten (IL-06), Joe Courtney (CT-02), Danny K. Davis (IL-07), Sharice L. Davids (KS-03), Rosa L. DeLauro (CT-03), Suzan K. DelBene (WA-01), Maxine Dexter (OR-03), Lizzie Fletcher (TX-07), Valerie P. Foushee (NC-04), Sylvia R. Garcia (TX-29), Maggie Goodlander (NH-02), Dan Goldman (NY-10), Jim Himes (CT-04), Jared Huffman (CA-02), Sara Jacobs (CA-51), Pramila Jayapal (WA-07), William R. Keating (MA-09), Ro Khanna (CA-17), Rick Larsen (WA-02), Teresa Leger Fernández (NM-03), Mike Levin (CA-49), Stephen F. Lynch (MA-08), Doris Matsui (CA-07), Betty McCollum (MN-04), Dave Min (CA-47), Kelly Morrison (MN-03), Kevin Mullin (CA-15), Donald Norcross (NJ-01), Eleanor Holmes Norton (DC-AL), Scott H. Peters (CA-50), Chellie Pingree (ME-01), Nellie Pou (NJ-09), Mike Quigley (IL-05), Emily Randall (WA-06), Deborah K. Ross (NC-02), Andrea Salinas (OR-06), Jan Schakowsky (IL-09), Kim Schrier (WA-08), Adam Smith (WA-09), Darren Soto (FL-09), Eric Sorensen (IL-17), Marilyn Strickland (WA-10), Rashida Tlaib (MI-12), Paul D. Tonko (NY-20), Ritchie Torres (NY-15), Gabe Vasquez (NM-02), and Marc A. Veasey (TX-33).

You can read the full text of the letter HERE and below.  

Dear Secretary Hegseth and Assistant Secretary Marks:

We write to express our deep concerns that the Department of Defense’s (Department’s) process for wind energy projects has effectively resulted in a de facto moratorium on new development. Developers report that the process has stalled at all stages of the Department’s review process, including initial determinations of whether there is a presumed risk, mitigation negotiations for projects determined to present such a risk, execution of mitigation agreements, countersignature by the Assistant Secretary on final agreements, and the issuance and transmittal of those determinations to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). Delaying the construction of new energy projects threatens both American energy independence and national security, and it is critical for mitigation agreements to be completed in an efficient manner.

Because all land-based wind energy projects are referred by the FAA to the Department—and the FAA will not issue a final determination absent a transmittal back from the Department—these breakdowns effectively halt all new projects. Developers cannot proceed to construction without an FAA determination of no hazard, as doing so creates unacceptable liability risk. The continued functioning of this process is essential to safeguarding national and energy security by enabling wind energy Development.

Congress directed the Department to create a Military Aviation and Installation Assurance Siting Clearinghouse (SCH) to evaluate the impacts of proposed energy projects, including wind, on military operations and readiness. The expectation was that any identified risks would be addressed through mitigation—not by halting projects outright unless mitigation is not possible, which has occurred only in exceedingly rare instances. Historically, this process functioned in a routine, expedited, and predictable manner. Many projects quickly determined to present ‘no hazard,’ and where potential impacts were identified, developers worked with the Department to implement mitigation measures, typically through standardized agreements. These agreements were then transmitted to the FAA to inform its determination regarding construction in the national airspace, enabling the safe and efficient development of wind energy.

That process has effectively ceased functioning. Developers report that mitigation discussions are not being scheduled or are being canceled without rescheduling; draft mitigation agreements are no longer being issued even after successful negotiations; and executed agreements are not being countersigned or transmitted to FAA. Even where projects pose no identified risk and determinations would typically be routine administrative clearances by the Department in the FAA system, there are reports that such determinations are not being provided to the FAA.

Taken together, these actions have effectively brought the entire Departmental review process for wind energy projects, and other energy infrastructure like transmission towers, to a standstill. Nearly 200 projects are currently stalled in the Department’s review pipeline, including at least 35 that are just waiting on a Department countersignature on a fully negotiated mitigation agreement, at least 30 that have successfully completed verbal mitigation negotiations with career uniformed personnel in the affected service but are waiting on the Department to send the draft agreement, and the balance of which are impacted by the cancellation of mitigation response team meetings and the failure to process any Department clearances in the FAA system. As a result, the Department’s process is not only affecting projects requiring mitigation, but also preventing advancement of the many projects that present no risk to military operations and readiness.

Bringing these projects online would enhance American energy independence and support national security through helping to meet rising energy demand, which would lower energy costs for consumers while supporting grid reliability. American Clean Power Association (ACP), a trade organization of energy developers, estimates that preventing the construction of new wind energy would cost the U.S. electricity system an additional $361 billion over the next 25 years. These stalled projects represent at least 30 gigawatts of wind energy capacity at risk, approximately $54 billion in capital investment, and roughly 150,000 jobs. At a time when energy prices are rising, we need to be working across the federal government to ensure we are building energy generation efficiently and safely. We urge the Department to join us in this effort and complete the mitigation agreements.

While we recognize that the Department’s review of potential impacts on military operations and readiness is an important and complex responsibility, the current situation represents an unexplained and significant departure from longstanding practice. We request a prompt classified briefing to understand the basis for these developments, including any new policies, guidance, or review frameworks contributing to this outcome, as well as the steps and timeline for restoring the review process. Given the breadth and impact of these disruptions, timely clarification and corrective action are critical.

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman John Garamendi – Representing California’s 3rd Congressional District

WASHINGTON, DC — Today, Congressman John Garamendi (D-CA-08), Ranking Member of the House Armed Services Readiness Subcommittee, released the following statement after the Congressional Budget Office’s new $1.2 Trillion price tag for Trump’s Golden Dome:

“In a time when families across the country are struggling to afford healthcare, gas, food, and housing after Trump and Republicans passed massive cuts to nearly every public service program that helps with these costs, Trump is now set to spend $1.2 trillion on his egomaniacal Golden Dome project, seven times the administration’s initial estimate of $175 billion.

“A $1.2 trillion price tag is outrageous in itself, but it gets even worse when you read the report and see that this exorbitant cost is only a rough estimate. There are few details, no real objectives, and it’s missing key plans. There is a real possibility that $1.2 trillion is the floor, not the ceiling, for a program that won’t make America any safer.

“Just like his golden ballroom or golden luxury jet, Trump’s desire to spend billions of taxpayer dollars to slap his faux-gold branding onto the country’s missile defense system should anger every American who has had their healthcare or food benefits cut to help pay for it.

“What Americans deserve now are answers. I demand that the Trump Administration explain to the American people why even more of their hard-earned money is being poured into a system that will not be able to protect us and into the pockets of defense contractors instead of bringing down costs.”

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Steny H Hoyer (MD-05)

WASHINGTON, DC – Today, Congressman Steny H. Hoyer (MD-05) delivered opening remarks at the House Appropriations Full Committee Markup of the Commerce, Justice, and Science FY 2027 bill. Below are a video and transcript of his remarks:
 

Click here to watch a video of his remarks.

“Thank you very much, Mr. Chairman. First, let me say the Chairman says regularly, and correctly, that this is the first step. That’s the good news. The good news is it’s not the last step, and the good news is this bill will change very substantially before it is sent to the President if in fact, it is. And I want to thank the Ranking Member of our subcommittee, Ms. Meng, for her outstanding work. I want to thank Mr. Rogers for his leadership in so many critical areas, particularly dealing with drug abuse in our country that cost the lives of so many. Like most of the appropriations bills before this committee, this one shortchanges, though, critical national priorities, limiting the positive impact the federal government can have and should have on improving the lives of Americans. We’ll hear a lot today about the effects of President Trump’s illegal tariffs on our working families, and how this bill makes dangerous cuts to the agencies that could help alleviate their pain.

“But I want to take a few moments first and make sure the committee fully understands the impact of cuts to science research at NASA in this bill. Very frankly, the extraordinary progress that we have made in the space program has led to extraordinary innovation and inventions and better technical abilities for not only America, but for the entire world. The crew that took Artemis around the moon inspired us just as the ‘first step for mankind’ did when we first landed on the moon. These people inspired the people of this nation and billions around the world who look each night at the moon and dream of where humanity might go over generations to come. As their capsule slipped behind the waning moon beyond the reach of Earth’s communications, its four occupants were hard at work. They spent their time on the far side of the moon, observing landscapes never before seen by human eyes, capturing more than 12,000 photographs and high-definition videos and transmitting more than 480GB of lunar data back to the Earth. Before they even splashed down in the Pacific, NASA scientists – including many at Goddard Space Flight Center in the district of Mr. Ivey – were already sifting through this data and using it to develop a better understanding of the moon.

“Mr. Chairman, it was the scientists at NASA Goddard who developed the communication system used on the Artemis Orion spacecraft and the data transfer system that sent its findings back to Earth. Now, that was for that mission. But the ramifications of the research and what we learned are for the entire world and for creating jobs here in America. Goddard also produced the James Webb Telescope, which is sending us back jaw dropping images of the universe back to the very – almost beginning of time. This is part of America’s unique contribution to advancing human knowledge and exploration. The cost of cutting this funding will be far greater than $1.3 billion. It will come with costs to what our nation represents and to what we as human beings, the latest in a chain of explorers over the generations, are trying to achieve during this time on Earth.

“Just as I hope, we will reconsider the dangerous cuts this bill makes to other science and research agencies like NOAA, NIST, and the National Science Foundation, and the number of programs that every Member of this committee that has spoken in reference [to] that help Americans at a time of tough economic stress for them. Our science programs do not only send humans to the moon, but they make a difference for our economy here on Earth. They mean the world to millions in our country who use scientific discoveries and research every day, even without knowing it. For NOAA in particular, whose National Center for Weather and Climate Prediction predicts the funding – excuse me, predicts dangerous storms [and] other catastrophes that we are subject to by natural disasters. At the same time, this bill also removes critical tools for law enforcement. It’s so interesting that we are cutting crime fighting, we’re [going] after tax evaders, and we are cutting other regulatory agencies at a time when we talk about making sure people follow the rules. People follow the rules because the referee is on the field. You take the referee off the field, not so much. This bill slashes economic development assistance, particularly for rural communities, which is sorely needed to make the painful impacts of the Trump tariffs and rising gas prices from the President’s war of choice, referred to by the gentlelady from New Jersey.

“So, Mr. Chairman, I believe that we must do better in this bill. The good news, ladies and gentlemen, I want to congratulate Chairman Rogers. As he did last year, essentially, he and the committee rejected the draconian cuts proposed by the Administration. And while this bill is not as good as I would like it, it is better than [what] the Administration proposed by far. And I have great confidence that Mr. Rogers, the Chairman of this committee, and the Ranking Member, Ms. Meng, will reach, as the gentleman from Texas said, a bill that can and hopefully will receive bipartisan support. But at this point in time, Mr. Chairman, I’m going to oppose this bill because I think the cuts in it undermine America’s competitiveness and undermine America’s future. I yield back.”

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Steny H Hoyer (MD-05)

WASHINGTON, DC – Today, Congressman Steny H. Hoyer (MD-05) and U.S. Representatives Gregory Meeks (NY-05), Ranking Member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, Brian Fitzpatrick (PA-01) and Marcy Kaptur (OH-09), Co-Chairs of the Congressional Ukraine Caucus, Bill Keating (MA-09), Ranking Member of the House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on Europe, Don Bacon (NE-02), and Kevin Kiley (CA-03) released a joint statement after their bipartisan discharge petition for H.R. 2913 – the Ukraine Support Act – received the final signature needed to compel a vote on the House Floor:

“With today’s 218th signature on our discharge petition, the Ukraine Support Act will soon come to the House Floor for a vote. We are glad the House will finally be moving forward with robust legislation to support the people of Ukraine as they fight to defend their nation and its sovereignty. Few have demonstrated as much courage and perseverance in our modern history as the people of Ukraine.  In their battle for democracy, self-determination, and the preservation of their territorial integrity, they deserve our help and our material support. The Ukraine Support Act can deliver that assistance, as well as to impose additional sanctions on Russia to hold it accountable for its brutal war. We look forward to seeing the House pass this bill quickly and encourage the Senate to take it up without delay. The brave men and women of Ukraine are waiting.”

The legislation, which was introduced on April 15, 2025, would impose numerous sanctions and other economic measures to place additional pressure on Russia to cease its war of aggression against Ukraine. It also includes further vital provisions to sustain security assistance to Ukraine for its defense, generate resources for post-war reconstruction, and override presidential actions to terminate existing sanctions without cause. A section by section of the legislation can be found here. A PDF of the bill can be found here.

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-09)

WASHINGTON – Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-9) today announced that the State of Tennessee will receive $20,219,887 for Methodist Le Bonheur Healthcare Corporation and Shelby County Healthcare Corporation (Regional One) for expenses they incurred in responding to the COVID-19 emergency declared in April 2020. The funding is from the Department of Homeland Security Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).

The funding covers purchases the hospitals incurred – including medicines, rented equipment, contracted services and other expenses – in response to the pandemic. The money goes to Tennessee and is expected to be redirected to the institutions: $17,482,440 to Methodist Le Bonheur and $2,737,447 to Regional One.

Congressman Cohen made the following statement:

“It’s been a long time coming but this funding to reimburse our Memphis medical establishment is welcome. The federal government agreed to step in during the pandemic to keep the population safe and prevent further harm, and this funding reimburses our hospitals for the investments they made.”

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Jack Bergman (MI-1)

Today, Rep. Jack Bergman, joined by Reps. Tony Wied and Pete Stauber, introduced the Protecting Lifesaving Operations during Winter Storms Act, or the PLOW Storms Act, legislation aimed at ensuring snowplow operators and road commissions can keep critical winter response vehicles operational during severe winter weather events.

The legislation addresses growing concerns from road commissions and public works departments regarding increasingly unreliable diesel emissions systems that can force snowplows into reduced-power “derate” modes or sideline trucks entirely during dangerous winter storms.

“For communities across the First District, snowplows are not optional – they are lifesaving equipment,” said Rep. Bergman. “When plow trucks are disabled during winter storms because of federal emissions mandates, lives are put at risk. The PLOW Storms Act restores common sense by ensuring our road commissions have the flexibility and reliability they need to keep roads open, emergency vehicles moving, and families safe.”

The legislative proposal was developed following conversations between Rep. Bergman and road commission leaders in Chippewa County.

Robert Laitinen, Manager of the Chippewa County Road Commission, noted, “The (PLOW Storms Act) is a tremendous step forward that will provide the Chippewa County Road Commission and all other agencies like us the regulatory certainty that we need to be able to modify our existing heavy diesel fleet and to order new units in a configuration that allows us to regain the reliability that we once enjoyed and that the motoring public deserves.”

Laitinen continued, “Having multiple plow trucks down during a winter storm event due to unreliable diesel emissions equipment or enduring imposed loss of engine power (derate events) due to overzealous emissions regulations is not simply an inconvenience – in our line of work it endangers many lives. Thank you to Congressman Bergman for having the fortitude to bring this issue to light and for offering a very reasonable and functional solution. This measure, if passed, will be a major improvement in overall public safety for every resident in Michigan and the rest of the snowbelt states.”

The PLOW Storms Act seeks to provide local agencies with greater certainty and operational flexibility to maintain dependable winter maintenance fleets capable of responding effectively during severe snow and ice events.

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Gregory W Meeks (5th District of New York)

Washington, D.C. – Today, Representative Gregory W. Meeks, Ranking Member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, alongside Ranking Member Ro Khanna of the House Select Committee on the Strategic Competition Between the United States and the Chinese Communist Party, Ranking Member Jim Himes of the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, and Ranking Member Adam Smith of the House Armed Services Committee, sent a letter to President Donald Trump urging him to reaffirm the United States’ longstanding One-China Policy during his visit to the People’s Republic of China, warning that any deviation from decades of bipartisan Taiwan policy could undermine peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait.

The lawmakers wrote: “For decades, the United States has contributed to the preservation of peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait by grounding its One-China Policy in the Taiwan Relations Act (TRA), the Three Joint Communiqués, and the Six Assurances. The TRA (P.L. 96-8; 22 U.S.C. §§3301 et seq.) requires the United States to provide Taiwan with arms of a defensive character to maintain a sufficient self-defense capability.”

The letter further stated that U.S. policy has long maintained that Taiwan’s future must be resolved peacefully, while underscoring that the Six Assurances made clear Washington did not abandon Taiwan following the 1982 U.S.-China Joint Communiqué on arms sales. The lawmakers noted that the Second Assurance states the United States has “not agreed” to consult with Beijing in advance on arms sales to Taiwan, arguing that longstanding American commitments have helped preserve stability across the Taiwan Strait by deterring Chinese aggression and preventing a conflict the American people overwhelmingly seek to avoid.

“Delays of Congressionally approved arms sales to Taiwan undercut the maintenance of effective cross-Strait deterrence, and even the possibility of the PRC unduly influencing the United States’ Taiwan policy undermines the spirit of both the TRA and the Six Assurances,” the lawmakers continued.

The lawmakers requested the president do the following:

• Formally notify and proceed with the export of Congressionally approved arms cases to Taiwan;
• Affirm the Administration’s commitment to the One-China Policy, as based on the TRA, Three Joint Communiqués, and the Six Assurances; and 
• Oppose any PRC attempt to dictate U.S. policy toward Taiwan.

“Peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait rest on the United States’ steadfast adherence to the principles which it has upheld for decades,” the lawmakers concluded.

Read the letter here.