MIL USHOR-2b Engine

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Stacey E. Plaskett (USVI)

CONGRESSWOMAN PLASKETT CONGRATULATES NEW VIRGIN ISLANDS POLICE CHIEFS ON HISTORIC SWEARING-IN CEREMONY

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Mario Diaz-Balart (25th District of FLORIDA)

Medley, Florida – Yesterday, Congressman Mario Díaz-Balart (FL-26), Dean of the Florida Delegation, toured Mr. Glass Doors & Windows Manufacturing, a leading South Florida window manufacturing business with factories in Medley and Miami Lakes and highlighted key wins for businesses in the One Big Beautiful Bill.

“I had the pleasure of touring Mr. Glass Doors and Windows Manufacturing, a proud South Florida company based in Medley with over 600 hardworking employees and more than 20 years in business. They also operate a factory in Miami Lakes.

“Its top-tier residential and commercial products are featured in landmarks such as Aventura Mall and InterMiami FC’s soccer stadium.

“CEO Ulises Senaris’s journey from Cuba to building a successful American business is the definition of the American Dream and testament to American excellence. Every single one of its products bear the label: ‘PROUD TO BE A U.S. MANUFACTURER,’ reflecting its commitment to American-made quality.

“I was pleased to share how I voted for H.R.1, known as the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, which boosts Made-in-America Manufacturing and supports businesses like Mr. Glass & Windows Manufacturers through provisions like full expensing for research and development, capital investments, such as machinery and equipment, as well as new factories. The United States remains the best place in the world to do business.”

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Pete Aguilar (31 CD Ca)

Today, Rep. Pete Aguilar reintroduced the Affordable Housing Resident Services Act, which would provide funding to owners of affordable housing properties to offer supportive services for their residents. 
“As we work to confront California’s affordable housing and homelessness crises head-on, we need to ensure families have the tools to build stable, successful lives,” said Rep. Pete Aguilar. “I am proud to reintroduce this critical legislation to ensure residents of affordable housing properties have access to the supportive services they need. I’ll keep working to help make affordable housing a reality for everyone so that hardworking families in the Inland Empire can thrive.”
“National CORE commends Congress for recognizing that affordable housing must be more than just a roof over someone’s head – it must also create opportunities for families to thrive,” National CORE President Michael Ruane said. “Resident services are essential to helping families become self-sufficient, supporting seniors as they age in place, and breaking the cycle of poverty. We urge Congress to build on this historic step by formally authorizing a program for supportive services and increasing funding for this critical work.”
The Affordable Housing Resident Services Act establishes the Affordable Housing Resident Services Grant Program within the Department of Health and Human Services. This program provides funding for supportive services to residents over a five-year period. Specifically, owners of federally-supported affordable housing properties can allocate up to 25 percent of the grant funding to hire a service coordinator, who will be responsible for delivering supportive services to residents. The grant funding would mainly be used to provide the supportive services at affordable housing properties, including: after-school programs for children and teenagers; educational opportunities for youth and adult residents; mental health, alcohol and addiction treatment; self-sufficiency resources; resources on future home ownership; financial literacy training; elder care; assistance to residents with disabilities; and other community services. 
In Fiscal Year 2023, Rep. Aguilar created and secured funding for the Affordable Housing Resident Services Grant Demonstration Program as a member of the House Committee on Appropriations. Rep. Aguilar secured funding to continue this demonstration program again in Fiscal Year 2024. The Affordable Housing Resident Services Act would codify this program into law.
This legislation is endorsed by AHEPA Senior Living, California Housing Partnership, California State Association of Counties (CSAC), Center for Law and Social Policy, County Welfare Directors Association of California, Corporation for Supportive Housing (CSH), Housing California, National Alliance to End Homelessness (NAEH), National CORE, National Leased Housing Association (NLHA), National Low Income Housing Coalition (NLIHC), Preservation of Affordable Housing (POAH) and Stewards for Affordable Housing for the Future (SAHF).
Rep. Aguilar serves as Chair of the House Democratic Caucus and as a member of the House Committee on Appropriations.

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

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Haley Stevens (MI-11)

Bipartisan Bill Aims To Close Knowledge Gaps On The Health Effects Of Plastics In Our Bodies And Environment

WASHINGTON, D.C. –This week, U.S. Representatives Haley Stevens (D-MI) and Frank Lucas (R-OK) introduced the Plastic Health Research Act, a bipartisan bill to jumpstart national research into the potential health effects of plastic exposure.

Microplastics have been reported in our Great Lakes, our oceans, our air, and even inside our bodies. From blood and lungs to even human brains, tiny plastic particles are found nearly everywhere. 

Michiganders have already seen the impact of long-lasting but not-fully-understood chemicals on our health with the rise of PFAS levels in our drinking water. The Bipartisan Plastic Health Research Act aims to determine the exact impact of microplastics on human health.

Despite growing concern and emerging reports linking plastic exposure to cell damage and cardiovascular issues, both the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS) and FDA acknowledge that the science is too limited to fully understand health impacts. 

To address this urgent knowledge gap the Plastic Health Research Act would: 

• Direct the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) to expand and coordinate federal research programs focused on the potential health risks of plastic exposure.
• Establish two coordinated research programs: one grant program at HHS to support research by public, nonprofit, or academic institutions (including consortia with private partners), and another at the NIEHS to create Centers of Excellence for Plastic Exposure Health Research that will serve as national hubs for investigating the health impacts of plastic exposure.
• Prioritize research that fills key gaps in our understanding of how plastics may affect human health.
• Encourage the development of high-quality scientific methods to ensure research findings are comparable and actionable.

 “For too long, we’ve seen report after report detail how the number of microplastics in humans is on the rise, but we haven’t seen studies reporting how this could be impacting human health. That’s why I’m proud to partner with my Republican colleague Frank Lucas and a wide swath of endorsers to introduce the Plastic Health Research Act.” said Michigan Congresswoman Haley Stevens.

“Working alongside Congresswoman Stevens, it has become clear how little we understand about the effects of microplastics on the short and long-term health of humans. With a renewed push to tackle this issue in the current Administration, we too are determined to meet the challenge in Congress” said Oklahoma Congressman Frank Lucas.

 “Microplastics and nanoplastics are in our water, our Great Lakes, our food, and our bodies which may be contributing to all kinds of health and ecological issues,” said Bentley Johnson, federal government affairs director for Michigan League of Conservation Voters. “With the introduction of the Plastic Health Research Act, Representative Stevens is continuing her leadership to drive efforts to investigate the impacts of plastics on our bodies and to find solutions that will reduce exposure for the benefit of our health now and in the future. We urge Congress to support and advance this legislation as part of a comprehensive approach to eliminate harmful contaminants in the environment.”

“ASPPH strongly supports the introduction of the Plastic Health Research Act, which represents a critical step forward in understanding the impact of microplastics and other plastics on human health. Our Task Force on Climate Change and Health has shown that environmental exposures play a significant role in public health outcomes. By establishing dedicated research grants and centers of excellence at the NIH, this legislation will provide the scientific foundation needed to better determine these risks and develop evidence-based strategies to protect our communities. We applaud this forward-thinking initiative.” – Dr. Laura Magaña, ASPPH President and CEO.”

“Combating plastics pollution depends on sound scientific research that creates a strong foundation for developing innovative, sustainable solutions. BASF applauds Rep. Stevens and Rep. Lucas for their introduction of the Plastic Health Research Act, which helps to position the U.S. federal government as a leader in microplastics and nanoplastics research. Through interagency coordination and collaboration with external stakeholders, this bipartisan bill will provide a greater understanding of these important issues.” – Catherine Trinkle, Vice President & Deputy General Counsel – Regulatory, Environmental, & Government Affairs, BASF Corporation  

“Our organization has always supported efforts to advance research that protects our environment and public health,” said David T. Dyjack, DrPH, CIH, Executive Director and CEO of the National Environmental Health Association (NEHA). “Plastics too often persist in nature, failing to break down and potentially causing long-term harm to ecosystems and communities. This bill represents a critical step toward understanding the full scope of the problem—and identifying real, science-based solutions.”

“Dow supports the need for additional research on microplastics and increased interagency coordination to ensure we’re keeping people and our planet safe. The Plastic Health Research Act will improve scientific methods and will enable “gold standard” science to ensure the safety of our food supply. As the FDA has noted, ‘current scientific evidence does not demonstrate that levels of microplastics or nanoplastics detected in foods pose a risk to human health’, but more high-quality research is needed.” – Dave Parrillo, VP of Research and Development, Dow Inc. 

The bill has received broad and bipartisan support from environmental, public health, and industry leaders including LCV Michigan, the Association of Schools and Programs of Public Health (ASPPH), Ocean Conservancy, the National Environmental Health Association, Dow, and BASF.

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

House Sustainable Energy and Environment Coalition (SEEC) Member Rep. Kathy Castor (FL-14) and SEEC Co-Chair Paul Tonko (NY-20) led a letter to Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Lee Zeldin, urging the agency to not repeal greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions standards for fossil fuel-fired power plants, a significant threat to the American people and their pocketbooks. They were joined by SEEC Co-Chairs Reps. Doris Matsui (CA-7) and Mike Quigley (IL-5) along with 81 of their House Democratic colleagues.

“The EPA is proposing to make a finding that GHG emissions from fossil fuel-fired power plants do not contribute significantly to dangerous air pollution,” the members wrote. “The EPA has offered no new analysis to support this claim. In fact, according to EPA’s own reporting from August 2024, power plants are responsible for almost a quarter of U.S. GHG emissions, or about 3 percent of all global climate pollution. The power sector is the second-largest source of U.S. climate pollution.”

The members continued, “Congress has repeatedly affirmed EPA’s authority and obligation under Section 111 of the Clean Air Act to protect Americans from air pollution that endangers public health or welfare … Congress reaffirmed this authority in the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) by explicitly providing funding and direction for EPA to regulate power plants’ carbon pollution using existing authorities, which include those in Section 135. Congress was clear: EPA can and must use its Clean Air Act authority to establish carbon pollution standards for power plants, protecting Americans from pollution sources that cause air pollution that endangers public health or welfare.”

“We strongly oppose this proposed repeal and urge EPA to adhere to their Congressionally mandated responsibility to issue robust standards that limit pollution from fossil fuel-fired power plants, thereby cutting pollution and protecting public health.”

Under the Biden-Harris Administration, the EPA finalized impactful greenhouse gas emissions standards for new gas and existing coal power plants that would curb 1.38 billion metric tons of carbon pollution through 2047 and provide hundreds of billions of dollars in health and climate benefits. On June 11, the Trump Administration’s EPA proposed to repeal all GHG emission standards for the power sector.

The letter can be found here and below.

The Honorable Lee Zeldin

Administrator

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency

1200 Pennsylvania Avenue N.W.

Washington, DC 20460

Dear Administrator Zeldin:

We write to express our concerns about the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) proposal to repeal all greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions standards for fossil fuel-fired power plants.

EPA’s own Regulatory Impact Assessment acknowledges that the repeal will sacrifice public health benefits of $129 billion while saving industry just $19 billion. And this analysis fails to account for the climate benefits of the 2024 regulations, estimated at an additional $260 billion.

The EPA is proposing to make a finding that GHG emissions from fossil fuel-fired power plants do not contribute significantly to dangerous air pollution. The EPA has offered no new analysis to support this claim. In fact, according to EPA’s own reporting from August 2024, power plants are responsible for almost a quarter of U.S. GHG emissions, or about 3 percent of all global climate pollution. The power sector is the second-largest source of U.S. climate pollution.

In passing the Clean Air Act, Congress never intended for the significance of a single sector’s contribution to climate change to become a litmus test to merit its regulation. In fact, the House report on the 1977 Clean Air Act amendments made clear that the committee intends the Administrator “to consider all sources of the contaminant which contribute to air pollution and to consider all sources of exposure to the contaminant—food, water, air, etc.—in determining health risk”.

By extension of the logic in EPA’s proposed rule, no sector would sufficiently “contribute significantly” to air pollution and therefore, the EPA would be unable to regulate any GHG emissions. This theory was rejected by the Supreme Court in Massachusetts v. EPA, where the Court confirmed that U.S. motor-vehicle emissions make a “meaningful contribution” to GHG concentrations when judged by any standard, even though the U.S. transportation sector

represented less than six percent of global emissions.

Independent analysis suggests that the regulations issued by EPA in April 2024 would cut between 68 to 390 million metric tons of carbon dioxide annually. These regulations would save thousands of lives by reducing other pollution from the power sector as well.

Congress has repeatedly affirmed EPA’s authority and obligation under Section 111 of the Clean Air Act to protect Americans from air pollution that endangers public health or welfare. As the Supreme Court recognized in Massachusetts v. EPA in 2007, greenhouse gases are air pollutants under the Clean Air Act. And in 2011, in American Electric Power v. Connecticut, the Court affirmed that EPA has the authority and responsibility to regulate power plants’ carbon dioxide emissions. The D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled in American Lung Association v. EPA in 2021 that “under any reasonable threshold or definition,” carbon dioxide from fossil fuel-fired power plants represents “a significant contribution” to air pollution. And in West Virginia v. EPA in 2023, the Supreme Court affirmed EPA’s authority to set technology-based standards for power plants’ carbon pollution.

Congress reaffirmed this authority in the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) by explicitly providing funding and direction for EPA to regulate power plants’ carbon pollution using existing authorities, which include those in Section 135. Congress was clear: EPA can and must use its Clean Air Act authority to establish carbon pollution standards for power plants, protecting Americans from pollution sources that cause air pollution that endangers public health or welfare.

The 2024 regulations acknowledged stakeholder feedback on the challenges facing the power sector to meet demand growth while maintaining reliability and affordability. EPA conducted significant analysis demonstrating how operators can comply with the rule, even under high demand scenarios. Furthermore, EPA introduced flexible, reliability-based deadline extension options. EPA’s rules incentivize utilities and grid operators to reform their processes for connecting energy to the grid, making it easier to bring resources online quicker and meet demand growth. Even despite growing electricity demand that has exceeded the forecasts in EPA’s 2024 analysis, EPA has chosen to ignore its previous analysis and has offered no new analysis to support their repeal.

We strongly oppose this proposed repeal and urge EPA to adhere to their Congressionally mandated responsibility to issue robust standards that limit pollution from fossil fuel-fired power plants, thereby cutting pollution and protecting public health.

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Chellie Pingree (1st District of Maine)

Maine Congresswoman Chellie Pingree, Ranking Member of the House Appropriations Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Subcommittee, is speaking out against reported plans by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to terminate $7 billion in federal grants intended to help low income and disadvantaged communities benefit from residential and community solar and energy storage projects. In a letter to EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin, Pingree underscored the importance of the Solar for All program, which was explicitly authorized by Congress in 2022 as part of the Inflation Reduction Act, and called on EPA to reverse course on its plan to illegally terminate solar grants.

“At a time when electricity prices are increasing and projected to continue to rise due to other actions of this administration, it is unconscionable that you would seek to deny access to clean, cheap energy to those who can least afford it,” Pingree wrote.

The $7 billion investment was expected to generate over $350 million in annual savings on electric bills for overburdened households and create an estimated 200,000 jobs across the country.

Maine was awarded $62 million through the Solar for All program to provide financial and technical assistance to enable low income and disadvantaged households throughout the state to access solar and energy storage and support workforce development opportunities.

“Let the EPA do what it has been empowered to do: help Americans save money, breathe cleaner air, and build a more secure energy future,” Pingree continued.

The letter is available online here and copied below.

+++

Administrator Zeldin:

I write to you today regarding your reported plans to illegally terminate awards issued under the Solar for All program, a program explicitly authorized by Congress in 2022 as part of the Inflation Reduction Act. Not only would this action undermine congressional intent, it would also threaten investments that will lower energy costs for American families across the country.

As you know, the Solar for All program was established to lower energy bills, reduce air pollution, and mobilize financing for cheap solar energy in low-income and disadvantaged communities in every state and territory, as well as Tribal communities. These are communities already bearing the brunt of rising electricity rates and broader inflationary pressures. Your own agency estimated this clean energy investment was estimated to create 200,000 jobs across the U.S. and generate over $350 million in annual savings on electric bills.

My state of Maine was awarded $62 million to provide financial and technical assistance to enable low income and disadvantaged households throughout the state to access solar and energy storage. Offering long-term relief from high utility bills while supporting workforce development and creating good-paying jobs. Pulling this funding after so much effort has been put into the development of this program undermines economic opportunity and public trust.

At a time when electricity prices are increasing and projected to continue to rise due to other actions of this administration, it is unconscionable that you would seek to deny access to clean, cheap energy to those who can least afford it.

I urge you to reverse course and immediately halt any efforts to revoke Solar of All awards. Let the EPA do what it has been empowered to do: help Americans save money, breathe cleaner air, and build a more secure energy future.

Sincerely,

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Haley Stevens (MI-11)

Bipartisan Bill Aims To Close Knowledge Gaps On The Health Effects Of Plastics In Our Bodies And Environment

WASHINGTON, D.C. – This week, U.S. Representatives Haley Stevens (D-MI) and Frank Lucas (R-OK) introduced the Plastic Health Research Act, a bipartisan bill to jumpstart national research into the potential health effects of plastic exposure.

Microplastics have been reported in our Great Lakes, our oceans, our air, and even inside our bodies. From blood and lungs to even human brains, tiny plastic particles are found nearly everywhere. 

Michiganders have already seen the impact of long-lasting but not-fully-understood chemicals on our health with the rise of PFAS levels in our drinking water. The Bipartisan Plastic Health Research Act aims to determine the exact impact of microplastics on human health.

Despite growing concern and emerging reports linking plastic exposure to cell damage and cardiovascular issues, both the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS) and FDA acknowledge that the science is too limited to fully understand health impacts. 

To address this urgent knowledge gap the Plastic Health Research Act would: 

• Direct the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) to expand and coordinate federal research programs focused on the potential health risks of plastic exposure.

• Establish two coordinated research programs: one grant program at HHS to support research by public, nonprofit, or academic institutions (including consortia with private partners), and another at the NIEHS to create Centers of Excellence for Plastic Exposure Health Research that will serve as national hubs for investigating the health impacts of plastic exposure.

• Prioritize research that fills key gaps in our understanding of how plastics may affect human health.

• Encourage the development of high-quality scientific methods to ensure research findings are comparable and actionable.

 “For too long, we’ve seen report after report detail how the number of microplastics in humans is on the rise, but we haven’t seen studies reporting how this could be impacting human health. That’s why I’m proud to partner with my Republican colleague Frank Lucas and a wide swath of endorsers to introduce the Plastic Health Research Act.” said Michigan Congresswoman Haley Stevens.

“Working alongside Congresswoman Stevens, it has become clear how little we understand about the effects of microplastics on the short and long-term health of humans. With a renewed push to tackle this issue in the current Administration, we too are determined to meet the challenge in Congress” said Oklahoma Congressman Frank Lucas.

 “Microplastics and nanoplastics are in our water, our Great Lakes, our food, and our bodies which may be contributing to all kinds of health and ecological issues,” said Bentley Johnson, federal government affairs director for Michigan League of Conservation Voters. “With the introduction of the Plastic Health Research Act, Representative Stevens is continuing her leadership to drive efforts to investigate the impacts of plastics on our bodies and to find solutions that will reduce exposure for the benefit of our health now and in the future. We urge Congress to support and advance this legislation as part of a comprehensive approach to eliminate harmful contaminants in the environment.”

“ASPPH strongly supports the introduction of the Plastic Health Research Act, which represents a critical step forward in understanding the impact of microplastics and other plastics on human health. Our Task Force on Climate Change and Health has shown that environmental exposures play a significant role in public health outcomes. By establishing dedicated research grants and centers of excellence at the NIH, this legislation will provide the scientific foundation needed to better determine these risks and develop evidence-based strategies to protect our communities. We applaud this forward-thinking initiative.” – Dr. Laura Magaña, ASPPH President and CEO.”

“Combating plastics pollution depends on sound scientific research that creates a strong foundation for developing innovative, sustainable solutions. BASF applauds Rep. Stevens and Rep. Lucas for their introduction of the Plastic Health Research Act, which helps to position the U.S. federal government as a leader in microplastics and nanoplastics research. Through interagency coordination and collaboration with external stakeholders, this bipartisan bill will provide a greater understanding of these important issues.” – Catherine Trinkle, Vice President & Deputy General Counsel – Regulatory, Environmental, & Government Affairs, BASF Corporation  

“Our organization has always supported efforts to advance research that protects our environment and public health,” said David T. Dyjack, DrPH, CIH, Executive Director and CEO of the National Environmental Health Association (NEHA). “Plastics too often persist in nature, failing to break down and potentially causing long-term harm to ecosystems and communities. This bill represents a critical step toward understanding the full scope of the problem—and identifying real, science-based solutions.”

“Dow supports the need for additional research on microplastics and increased interagency coordination to ensure we’re keeping people and our planet safe. The Plastic Health Research Act will improve scientific methods and will enable “gold standard” science to ensure the safety of our food supply. As the FDA has noted, ‘current scientific evidence does not demonstrate that levels of microplastics or nanoplastics detected in foods pose a risk to human health’, but more high-quality research is needed.” – Dave Parrillo, VP of Research and Development, Dow Inc. 

The bill has received broad and bipartisan support from environmental, public health, and industry leaders including LCV Michigan, the Association of Schools and Programs of Public Health (ASPPH), Ocean Conservancy, the National Environmental Health Association, Dow, and BASF.

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Jared Huffman Representing the 2nd District of California

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

Washington, D.C. – Congressman Adrian Smith (R-NE) has extended the application window for the 2025-2026 Third District Youth Advisory Council through August 31st. Current high school sophomores, juniors, and seniors are encouraged to submit their applications. 

The Third District Youth Advisory Council is a forum for students to share opinions, thoughts, and concerns with Congressman Smith about local and federal issues throughout the school year. This group provides students the opportunity to discuss the concerns of young Nebraskans and give their input on issues facing our country.

“I appreciate the insight I receive from Youth Advisory Council members. Engaging young Nebraskans in civic life is vital to our state’s future and an important aspect of my work,” said Rep. Smith.

Members must be able to serve from August 2025 until May 2026.

For more information, and to download the application, please visit AdrianSmith.House.Gov/Services/Youth-Advisory-Council.

To learn more about the Youth Advisory Council, interested students and educators can contact Smith’s Grand Island office at 308-384-3900, Nebraska City office at 402-874-6050, or his Scottsbluff office at 308-633-6333. 

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