The Clean Shipping Act of 2025 sets new federal standards to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from commercial shipping in U.S. waters. It requires vessels over 400 gross tons operating on covered voyages (between U.S. ports or U.S. ports and foreign ports) to gradually lower the carbon intensity of their fuel, aiming for 100% reduction by 2050 through phased targets (e.g., 30% reduction by 2030, 58% by 2034). Ship owners must report annual fuel carbon intensity and emissions data, while the EPA must develop consistent reporting methods aligned with international standards. The law applies directly to commercial shipping companies operating eligible vessels and includes flexibility for feasibility adjustments if technological or economic challenges arise.
This resolution (HRES 585) is a symbolic congressional statement recognizing that extreme weather events - like heatwaves, wildfires, and poor air quality - pose unique health risks to children, including respiratory issues, heat illness, mental health impacts, and disruptions to education. It calls on Congress to prioritize rapid, equitable solutions tailored to children’s needs, such as improved school air filtration, accessible emergency alerts, and child-focused disaster planning. The resolution specifically highlights vulnerable groups like young farmworkers, pregnant people, and children in urban heat islands. As a non-binding resolution, it does not create new laws but urges future legislation and funding to address these climate-related health threats for children.
This bill repeals Section 136 of the Clean Air Act, which established an incentive program for reducing methane emissions and waste in natural gas and petroleum systems. It directly affects natural gas and petroleum companies that previously participated in this program by eliminating their eligibility for related incentives. The bill also rescinds any unobligated funds allocated under that program before its repeal. This is a direct policy change removing a specific federal incentive mechanism, not a tax change.
This joint resolution seeks congressional disapproval of an Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rule that would have extended deadlines for oil and gas companies to meet emissions standards under the "Oil and Natural Gas Sector Climate Review." The rule, published in the Federal Register on December 3, 2025 (90 Fed. Reg. 55671), aimed to delay compliance with existing emissions guidelines for new and modified sources. If enacted, this resolution would block the EPA rule from taking effect, requiring companies to adhere to the original deadlines instead of the extended timelines. The measure directly affects oil and gas industry compliance obligations under federal environmental regulations.
This joint resolution (SJRES 109) seeks to block a Bureau of Land Management (BLM) management plan for Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument in Utah. It requests Congress disapprove the BLM's "Record of Decision and Approved Resource Management Plan" (issued January 2025) under the Congressional Review Act. If approved, this resolution would nullify the BLM rule, preventing it from taking effect. The measure directly affects how the monument is managed, including land use and conservation decisions, by stopping the implementation of the specific resource plan.
HJRES 46 is a congressional resolution seeking to block an Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rule that would regulate two specific chemicals - Decabromodiphenyl Ether and Phenol, Isopropylated Phosphate (3:1) - under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA). The resolution requests Congress disapprove the EPA’s rule (published in the Federal Register on November 19, 2024), which would have required new safety measures for these persistent, bioaccumulative, and toxic chemicals. If approved, this disapproval resolution would prevent the EPA rule from taking effect, halting its implementation. The bill directly affects the EPA’s regulatory authority over these chemicals and the industries producing or using them.
HJRES 78 is a joint resolution seeking congressional disapproval of a U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service rule that granted endangered species status to the San Francisco Bay-Delta population of the longfin smelt, a fish native to California's Bay-Delta region. If passed, this resolution would block the rule from taking effect, preventing the smelt from receiving federal protections under the Endangered Species Act. The rule, published in the Federal Register in July 2024, aimed to protect this specific fish population from threats like habitat loss and water management practices. This resolution does not create new policy but directly reverses an existing regulatory action affecting the smelt and its ecosystem.
SRES 183 is a symbolic Senate resolution designating April 2025 as "Earth Month" to encourage nationwide environmental action. It does not create new laws but urges U.S. citizens to engage in specific activities like planting trees, reducing pollution, conserving energy, and supporting Indigenous environmental knowledge. The resolution specifically encourages communities to address climate challenges, center frontline voices, improve energy efficiency, and educate others about year-round environmental protection. It directly affects the general public by promoting voluntary participation in environmental stewardship during April 2025. The resolution aligns with Earth Day's legacy but focuses on sustained action beyond a single day.
HR 576 makes Executive Order 14096 legally binding by codifying it into federal law. This order directs federal agencies to prioritize environmental justice, focusing on communities disproportionately affected by pollution and environmental hazards. The bill requires agencies to integrate environmental justice considerations into their decision-making processes, directly affecting federal departments managing environmental programs. It transforms an executive directive into a permanent legal requirement, ensuring continued focus on equitable environmental policies.
The CLEAN SMART Act of 2026 establishes a Network of National Laboratories to advance scientific and technical approaches for cleaning up radioactive and hazardous waste sites from defense-related nuclear activities. The Network will develop and test new treatment technologies to reduce cleanup costs, accelerate schedules, and improve safety for sites managed by the Department of Energy's Office of Environmental Management and Office of Legacy Management. The Act authorizes $55 million annually for the Network's activities and requires annual reports to Congress on its progress. This Network will include representatives from major national laboratories and coordinate with other agencies to address environmental cleanup challenges.
