MIL USHOR-2b Engine

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal (7th District of Washington)

Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Paul Tonko (Capital Region New York)

WASHINGTON, DC — U.S. Congressman Paul D. Tonko (NY-20), Ranking Member of the Energy & Commerce Subcommittee on Environment, introduced several new bills that would help address the cost-of-living crisis for American households by delivering urgently-needed utility bill relief and establishing a comprehensive energy affordability agenda. The legislation authored by Tonko includes:

• The End Energy Hardship Act: establishes a federal program to fund forgiveness of residential customer utility debt. Roughly 1 in 6 households are behind on their energy bills, and 14 million Americans have utility debt so severe that it has been or will soon be sent to collections. To qualify for funding, utilities must adopt a program to cap eligible customers’ bills at no more than 6% of each household’s income for at least 60 consecutive months. Capping utility bills at a set percentage of income provides customers with predictable and more affordable bills each month and prevents arrears from accumulating. The legislation would also provide federal funding to help offset the potential ratepayer impacts of administering these percentage of income payment programs.
• The Data Center Fairness Fee Act: requires the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to impose a charge on the owners of data centers based on electricity consumption. The revenues raised would be made available to State and Tribal Governments to fund energy affordability programs, such as LIHEAP, and electric grid upgrades to benefit residential utility customers.
• The State Energy Oversight Act: creates a Department of Energy (DOE) program to provide financial and technical assistance to state public utility commissions, which are responsible for overseeing utility rates, to support staffing, modeling, analysis, and other activities to increase commission capacity and improve public participation in proceedings. The bill would authorize $50 million for each of Fiscal Years 2027 through 2031 to be allocated to states through a DOE-determined formula.
• The Regional Energy Hubs Act: authorizes the DOE to fund state governments to establish regional energy hubs across the nation that help residents navigate and access energy efficiency incentives and affordability programs. This proposal is modeled after the success of programs like New York’s Capital Region Clean Energy Hub and the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Cooperative Extension System.

“There’s a lot of talk in Washington about skyrocketing energy costs; but the American people don’t want more discussion about rising utility bills — they need action,” Congressman Tonko said. “This slate of legislation I’m introducing responds to that need with near-term utility bill relief that provides tangible savings for consumers and puts us on a path to a more affordable energy system. When it comes to lowering energy costs, there’s no time to waste. I urge my colleagues in Congress to support this legislation that will deliver relief for countless Americans struggling to pay their energy bills.”

Since President Trump took office, household electric bills have gone up on average 18% nationally, with estimates expecting that number to continue to rise. Tens of millions of U.S. households have reported difficulty paying their energy bills, often reducing or forgoing food or medicine to keep the lights and heat on.

These latest bills build upon Congressman Tonko’s track record as a leader in the national energy affordability policy conversation. Tonko is a long-time champion of existing federal energy affordability programs, including the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) and the Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP). He is the author of H.R. 1355, the bipartisan Weatherization Enhancement and Readiness Act, which would reauthorize and strengthen WAP.

Additional details, including supporting organizations, bill text, and section-by-section summaries on each of Tonko’s bills can be found below.

H.R.10466: The End Energy Hardship Act

Bill text

Section-by-section summary

This bill is supported by the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy (ACEEE) and the American Economic Liberties Project (AELP).

Alexander Ratner, senior federal policy counsel at the American Council for an Energy-Efficiency Economy, said “No one should have to choose between paying an energy bill and buying groceries. Rep. Tonko’s bill would help wipe out utility payment debts and put stronger protections in place so bills stay affordable. This is a smart way to give families relief today and more stability tomorrow.”

“It is absolutely unacceptable that American families are having to choose between keeping the lights on and putting food on the table because of how unaffordable essential utility services have become in our for-profit monopoly utility system,” said Marissa P. Gillett, Senior Fellow at the American Economic Liberties Project and former Chairman of the Connecticut Public Utilities Regulatory Authority. “Rep. Tonko’s bill is an important first step in delivering real relief from skyrocketing utility bills. We look forward to continuing working with him and others in the fight for structural change that addresses the roots of the affordability crisis, including excess utility profit.”

H.R.10467: The Data Center Fairness Fee Act

Bill text

Section-by-section summary

H.R.10468: The State Energy Oversight Act

Bill text

Section-by-section summary

This bill is supported by Evergreen Action, the Federation of American Scientists (FAS), and the Future of Heat Initiative.

“At a time when Americans are paying historically high energy costs, the State Energy Oversight Act will help ease their burden by giving states the resources and funding they need to hold utilities accountable for the rates they charge, while putting consumers first,” said Evergreen Action Federal Affairs Director Dani Hupper. “Keeping the lights on at home should not come at the expense of paying for other basic needs. Families deserve affordable energy and a government that will stand up to the utility companies profiting off of them.”

“State public utility commissions are the peoples’ best defense against skyrocketing bills and exploding data center energy use. Unfortunately these commissions are outdated, underfunded, and understaffed, and families and businesses are paying the price. This bill would strengthen states’ affordability arsenal through much-needed funding and technical support for commissions,” said Arjun Krishnaswami, FAS Senior Advisor.

“Utilities come to rate cases with teams of lawyers and expert witnesses. State regulators often have a few staff and a mountain of filings. When they don’t have the capacity to scrutinize a spending request, families absorb the difference on their energy bills. The State Energy Oversight Act gives regulators the support they need and it gives consumer advocates a real seat at the table. We’re glad to support it,” said Jamie Van Nostrand, Policy Director, The Future of Heat Initiative, and former Chair of the Massachusetts Department of Public Utilities.

 

H.R.10469: The Regional Energy Hubs Act

Bill text

Section-by-section summary

This bill is supported by the National Association of State Energy Officials (NASEO).

Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Mike Quigley (IL-05)

Today, Chicago Congressman and Co-Chair of the Congressional Ukraine Caucus Mike Quigley (IL-05) released the following statement after voting yes on the Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026, bipartisan legislation to pressure Russia into reaching a peace agreement with Ukraine. The bill passed on a bipartisan basis by a vote of 262-159.

“As Ukrainian and Russian officials continue to work toward a peace agreement, the United States must do everything in its power to back Ukraine and pressure Russia to end its invasion. I have said again and again that Vladimir Putin will not end his war until he is forced to feel the pain of his invasion.

“Chicago is home to one of the largest Ukrainian American populations in the nation, and I have met with hundreds of people who have lost loved ones to Russia’s invasion or been forced to flee their homeland. I have seen the mass graves from Russian massacres and hidden in bunkers as Russian bombs rained on Kyiv. I am deeply dedicated to helping the people of Ukraine, defending Ukrainian sovereignty, and blocking Putin’s expansionist goals. 

“I supported this bill to further those aims and bring us closer to the end of Russia’s war. This was an important first step, but what Ukraine needs now is more than just symbolic support. They need weapons and economic support, and Trump needs to put the full support of the United States government behind Ukraine. Next year, I look forward to working with my colleagues to ensure that happens.”

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Bob Latta (R-Bowling Green Ohio)

Latta Applauds House Passage of Ratepayer Protection Act

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

WASHINGTON, DC – Today, U.S. Representatives Steny Hoyer (MD-05), Rosa DeLauro (CT-03), Sanford Bishop (GA-02), Chellie Pingree (ME-01), and Glenn Ivey (MD-04) along with U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen and Angela Alsobrooks (both D-MD) sent a letter to the United States Department of Agriculture demanding answers the Department’s decision to shutter all research related to Cyclospora in the midst of the largest outbreak in history and plans to close BARC, the largest and most diversified agricultural research complex in the world. The lawmakers urged USDA to reverse course.

Cyclospora has sickened nearly 20,000 Americans, hospitalized over 1,000 and killed at least two – with case totals expected to continue to rise. A recent Politico story reported that three research programs, that represent nearly all of the Cyclospora research at USDA, are on hold or have been terminated entirely.

“…[T]he proposal to decommission BARC will do nothing but disrupt this important work, endanger Americans’ health and safety, and harm our national security,” the lawmakers wrote. “Therefore, we request that USDA immediately cease its efforts to close BARC and halt its reorganization before it results in any more costly mistakes.”

The full letter can be read here and below.

The Honorable Brooke Rollins
Secretary
U.S. Department of Agriculture
1400 Independence Ave., S.W.
Washington, DC 20250

Dear Secretary Rollins,

The United States is in the midst of its largest Cyclospora outbreak in history, sickening over 17,000 Americans, hospitalizing 1,000 and killing at least two. Case totals are expected to continue to rise in the coming weeks.

A recent Politico story reported that the three research programs that represent nearly all of the Cyclospora research at the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), all previously or currently underway at the Beltsville Agricultural Research Center (BARC) in Maryland, are on hold or have been terminated. In the story, the Department blames Congress for terminating two of the three projects. What the Department fails to mention is that funding ended based on technical advice Congress received from USDA indicating that despite funding cuts, the researchers working on Cyclospora projects would continue to work at BARC and that USDA would retain their scientific expertise without ending all Cyclospora-related research.

The third project, which remains funded, has reportedly been halted because of the Department’s overzealous drive to dismantle the Agricultural Research Service as part of its shortsighted reorganization effort of USDA, and in particular its ill-conceived drive to shutter the largest and most diversified agricultural research complex in the world, BARC. According to Politico’s reporting, the scientists working on Cyclospora research at BARC have declined orders to relocate to a different facility in Iowa, and so the project remains on hold and there will be no dedicated USDA research staff to study Cyclospora as confirmed cases continue to rise.

As Congress continues to work towards a final funding agreement for FY 2027, Democrats stand ready to build on existing Cyclospora research to protect the American people’s health and safety. Americans deserve to trust that the food they eat is safe.  The Department can join us in doing its part by reversing its decision to dismantle Cyclospora research at BARC, something that is wholly within your power to do immediately.

During a record-breaking number of food safety outbreaks and the worst Cyclospora outbreak our country has ever experienced, USDA’s ill-considered reorganization will only exacerbate the problem and leaves serious questions unresolved:

1. Can the Department confirm reporting that all staff currently working on Cyclospora research at BARC have declined to relocate to Iowa?
        a. If so, have any new staff been hired to work on the third Cyclospora research project at its new proposed location?
2. How many other research projects will lose scientific staff who have declined or otherwise not finalized an agreement to relocate as a result of the reorganization and more specifically, the closure of BARC?
3. How will the Department ensure research progress at BARC remains “uninterrupted,” in particular the food safety research on Cyclospora?
4. Please share the Department’s specific and detailed plan to relocate Cyclospora research, including where research will move to and whether receiving labs have capacity to continue BARC research, including appropriate lab space, equipment, and staff expertise.
5. Does USDA plan to transport highly pathogenic organisms across the country as a part of the reorganization, and if so, what precautions will be in place to ensure that these samples will remain contained and undamaged during relocation? 

While the Administration continues to claim that the reorganization effort will not interrupt critical research programs, that is clearly not the case with Cyclospora research. Separately, the Agricultural Research Service has an annual appropriation of over $1.8 billion. One major question remains; how many more critical research projects focused on strengthening food safety or protecting Americans health will be disrupted because of a reorganization that the Department has decided to carry out at full speed while declining to provide Congress with meaningful details?

Notably, since 2016, USDA has invested over $170 million in BARC facility upgrades and repairs, including the completion of a $32 million renovation of BARC’s food safety lab in 2022. There is no better location to perform vital food safety research, especially on Cyclospora, and the proposal to decommission BARC will do nothing but disrupt this important work, endanger Americans’ health and safety, and harm our national security.

Therefore, we request that USDA immediately cease its efforts to close BARC and halt its reorganization before it results in any more costly mistakes.

We look forward to a timely response.

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Chris Pappas (D-NH)

Today Congressman Chris Pappas (NH-01) issued the following statement after voting no on H.R. 5334, the Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026:

“The United States must stand with Ukraine and hold Russia accountable for its invasion and continued war against a sovereign nation. I support strong sanctions that will punish Russian leadership and weaken its economy and ability to wage this horrific war, which is why earlier this year I helped discharge and pass legislation through the House that would enact aggressive sanctions and tariffs against Putin’s regime,” said Congressman Pappas. “President Trump is waging a reckless trade war against countless nations worldwide that has raised costs for Granite Staters and devastated our small business economy. I cannot support this legislation as drafted that would give the president expansive powers to do more harm while people are already struggling to make ends meet.”

Background:

Pappas is cosponsor of H.R.2913, the Ukraine Support Act, and forced consideration of the bill by supporting a successful discharge petition and helped pass it through the House in June 2026. The legislation included sanctions on Russian officials, banks, and Rosatom, plus a 500% tariff on Russian goods. He is also a cosponsor of H.R.2548, the Sanctioning Russia Act, which includes sanctions on Russian officials, banks, and energy, plus tariffs on Russia and its energy buyers. 

In the 117th Congress, Pappas voted in favor of the Ending Importation of Russian Oil Act, which was subsequently signed into law.

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Lauren Underwood (IL-14)

WASHINGTON— This week, Representatives Lauren Underwood and Mike Levin (CA-49) introduced legislation to address the veteran suicide crisis by expanding evidence-based lethal means safety training for all VA employees who regularly interact with veterans, as well as community care providers and family caregivers. Currently, clinical health care providers in Veterans Health Administration (VHA) facilities are the only staff required to receive this training.

“The evidence is clear: supporting lethal means safety saves lives. The Lethal Means Safety Training Act will make sure that all VA employees and community partners who care for our veterans are equipped to help a veteran in crisis,” said Representative Underwood. “The Lethal Means Safety Act is an evidence-based approach that creates valuable time and space between a veteran at risk for suicide and potentially lethal means, a critical step for saving veterans’ lives.”

“VA safety training programs provide VA employees with the tools they need to be successful, especially when discussing storage of firearms and medications with veterans, and they should be offered to anyone who wants to take them,” said Rep. Mike Levin. “This bill would expand lethal means safety training to ensure more VA employees, caregivers, and community care providers are able to guide veterans in secure storage and help save lives. I thank Rep. Underwood for her partnership on this bill and look forward to it moving through the legislative process.”

VA employees and contractors are essential partners in promoting evidence-based suicide prevention practices, such as lethal means safety, which is one of the few population-level interventions that reduce suicide rates. VA’s training equips recipients for conversations with veterans about lethal means safety, helping them to create valuable time and space in the event of a crisis. According to VA researchers, “for a veteran in crisis, lethal means safety during a critical period can make all the difference.”

The Lethal Means Safety Training Act also includes strong compliance and reporting requirements and requires VA to share its training resources with the general public for broader use. The Lethal Means Safety Training Act has been endorsed by Giffords, Brady United, and Everytown, and Walk the Talk America.

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Mike Kelly (R-PA)

WASHINGTON, D.C. — On Wednesday, U.S. Rep. Mike Kelly (R-PA) voted in favor of the Ratepayer Protection Act, legislation which codifies a Trump administration executive action requiring that the companies building data centers are the ones paying for the electricity needed to power them, instead of hardworking American families.

“Pennsylvania families shouldn’t be footing the bill to power data centers,” said Rep. Kelly. “This legislation puts local families first and reestablishes commonsense energy policy in the United States.”

BACKGROUND

U.S. leadership in the race to artificial intelligence (AI) dominance is critical to our economic and national security, but right now states and communities are concerned about the pace at which AI data centers are being developed and the effect they could have on residents’ electric bills.

The growth in data center development is coinciding with the exposure of systemic challenges to deploying reliable and affordable electricity resulting from harmful Biden-era policies, namely the premature retirement of baseload power and the overreliance on intermittent sources, like wind and solar.

Without fail, blue states that have led the charge to shut down fossil power plants and mandate renewable generation quotas are now home to the highest electricity rates in the country. A dual-pronged approach would ensure that facilities such as data centers pay their costs, alongside broader electricity policy reforms that prioritize reliable baseload power.

The Ratepayer Protection Act:

• H.R. 9340 would protect consumers from rate increases resulting from data center construction by having state utility commissions consider large-load standards for data centers drawing more than 100 MW of power, which would ensure they pay for the full incremental costs to serve their loads.
• By drawing on existing Public Utility Regulatory Policies Act authorities (Sec. 111(d)), this light touch approach provides a federal recommendation while preserving state power to regulate electricity markets, drawing on what 24 states are already doing to protect residential homes and small businesses.
• By establishing large-load standards, states can ensure that American families are not left footing the bill for AI data center growth.

Learn more about the Ratepayer Protection Act here.

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Rick Allen (R-GA-12)

Yesterday, the U.S. House of Representatives passed S. 2403, the Retire through Ownership Act. Congressman Rick W. Allen (GA-12) introduced the House version of this bill last year, which would provide legal and regulatory clarity in the formation of new Employee Stock Ownership Plans (ESOPs). Following House passage of S. 2403 by a vote of 401-14, Congressman Allen issued the statement below:

“One of the many lessons I learned over my decades-long career as a small business owner is that true success is measured by the success of your employees. ESOPs are a valuable tool to build wealth for retirement and give employees an ownership stake in their employer. The Retire through Ownership Act will help eliminate the regulatory ambiguity and unnecessary risks these plans often face while providing a clear framework for valuing employer stock. I am proud that this bipartisan, bicameral bill is one step closer to the finish line as we continue to advance policies that ensure more Americans can enjoy a secure retirement,” said Congressman Allen, Chairman of the Subcommittee on Health, Employment, Labor, and Pensions.

“ESOPs provide employees with a meaningful foothold in capital ownership—allowing them to share in the success they’ve helped create. Unfortunately, lack of clarity in the law has brought uncertainty and created legal grey areas. S. 2403 fixes this problem by providing clear guidance,” said Representative Walberg, Chairman of the Committee on Education and Workforce. “Employee ownership is a proven asset for workers, businesses, and our economy, and it should not be undermined by ambiguity in the law. I’m glad to see this critical legislation make it to the president’s desk—ending over fifty years of confusion and strengthening employee ownership.”

BACKGROUND: Employee Stock Ownership Plans (ESOPs) let workers build retirement savings by owning stock in their company. When an ESOP buys stock in a private company, an independent appraiser helps determine what that stock is worth. The Department of Labor (DOL) has not yet finalized clear rules for how private company stock should be valued in an ESOP transaction. That leaves ESOP trustees without a clear federal standard to follow when deciding whether the price is fair—creating uncertainty and legal risk for trustees and businesses.

S. 2403, Retire through Ownership Act, gives ESOP trustees a clearer rule to follow: If an independent appraiser follows the Internal Revenue Service’s longstanding guidelines to determine what a company is worth, the ESOP trustee can rely on that appraisal to decide if the price is fair. This legislation now heads to President Trump’s desk. Prior to House passage of the bill, Congressman Allen participated in debate on the House floor. Watch HERE.

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Sharice Davids (KS-3)

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, U.S. Representatives Sharice Davids (D-KS-03) and Derek Schmidt (R-KS-02) introduced bipartisan legislation to help Kansas families save for their children’s futures. The bill would streamline how state agencies connect with new parents, ensuring families receive timely information on tax-favored savings and investment programs right when a child is born.

“As someone who worked my way through college, I know how life-changing it is when a family can start saving early for a child’s future,” said Davids. “But right now, too many new parents miss out on savings programs simply because no one tells them that they exist. This bipartisan bill fixes that. By delivering clear, actionable information to parents the moment a child is born, Representative Schmidt and I are helping Kansas families build real financial security from day one.”

“Every child deserves the opportunity to build a strong financial foundation, and parents should have clear information about the tools available to help them do that,” said Representative Derek Schmidt (R-KS-02). “The Born to Invest Act will help connect families with information about accounts that can help them save and invest for their children’s future, while giving states a practical framework for making that information available from the beginning of a child’s life.”

Federal law offers several tax-advantaged accounts to help families plan for higher education, disability-related expenses, and long-term financial security. However, because birth records are handled by state health departments while financial programs are run by state treasurers, a lack of inter-agency coordination leaves many new parents in the dark. Better alignment between these agencies ensures families receive this critical information right at birth, when starting a financial plan is most effective.

The Born to Invest Act addresses this communication gap by establishing a clear federal model for state agencies to safely coordinate birth notifications and deliver actionable financial guidance directly to families. Specifically, it amends the Internal Revenue Code to establish guidance that helps states:

• Educate Parents on Savings Options: Provide state treasurers with standardized frameworks to share information with parents and legal guardians on tax-advantaged accounts, including Section 530A Trump accounts, 529 college savings plans, and 529A ABLE accounts.
• Coordinate Inter-Agency Birth Data: Assist state treasurers and state health departments in establishing voluntary, secure information-sharing protocols regarding live births so state treasurers can proactively send financial literacy and account information to new parents.

Davids has consistently led bipartisan efforts to help Kansas families build long-term financial security. In addition to working to lower everyday costs across the board, she introduced bipartisan legislation alongside Senator Jerry Moran (R-KS) to expand tax-favored ABLE accounts, allowing employees with disabilities to receive employer contributions toward their future without risking their essential benefits. The Born to Invest Act directly builds on Davids’ track record of delivering practical, bipartisan financial tools to help Kansans achieve lasting independence.

“Kansas has been leading the way in finding practical, innovative ways to make sure people with disabilities and their families know about and can access the financial tools available to them,” said Sara Hart Weir, Executive Director, Kansas Council on Developmental Disabilities. “Through our work at the Kansas Council on Developmental Disabilities alongside Kansas ABLE and our state partners, we have helped build a model that connects families early with information about ABLE accounts and other opportunities to save and invest for the future. I’m thrilled to see Congress, specifically Congressman Schmidt and Congresswoman Davids, take that Kansas-grown idea to the national level through the Born to Invest Act. By helping states connect families with information about ABLE accounts, Trump Accounts and 529 plans from the very beginning of a child’s life, this legislation can help ensure that children with disabilities are included in our country’s growing culture of saving, investing and building wealth. For too long, Americans with disabilities have been told what they cannot earn, save or own. This is about changing that trajectory from day one — and giving every child, including every child with a disability, a real opportunity to build a financially secure future.”

“Building a strong financial foundation early in life gives children greater confidence and opportunity as they grow,” said Steven Johnson, Kansas State Treasurer. “With several tax-advantaged savings options available, parents and caregivers have more ways than ever to help prepare their children for the future. Born to Invest is designed to help families understand these savings plans, learn about available financial incentives and recognize the important role investing can play in building long-term financial security. By providing this information early in a child’s life, we can help parents and caregivers choose the option that works best for their family and understand the lasting benefits of starting to save early. I appreciate the bipartisan leadership of Kansas Representatives Davids and Schmidt and their commitment to strengthening the financial well-being of families.”