CAUTION: EXTERNAL SENDER Latest Updates from Capitol Hill & the Administration [https://lyi4jwdab.cc.rs6.net/on.jsp?ca=5489af60-be9d-4ce3-9636-7fe5027e7c23&a=1103481512715&c=9c8285dc-7d89-11ee-b2f7-fa163e4ddc15&ch=9c83854a-7d89-11ee-b2f7-fa163e4ddc15] View as Webpage<https://lyi4jwdab.cc.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001Jv0QEMTHfJ1Jc_Uwyhr9vqBNoVp0FI_aLXbFUrtWTzsPxPESSZvPIoOeZ40tvzMod27uLHyw02DNkwAzL5zDMXM9AbvCWGC0MBGrqTz07KPPoCo9wWM0l604berT4NRTsxAPV8WRtwieW7Zi_JP6VQ==&c=f8vrJ0Gs1F2yStvJY4NdALR_7jBusWquotJ7xQAYFVXRuFObNIS_JA==&ch=XKQIbmqL69MxH41QYImNOUgVIFALNEy5xtCm9qBxAzkjwBbdLtx2sw==> [https://files.constantcontact.com/b03af9ce001/6f647e9d-56d2-42e0-a854-0c85f5e16d2b.png?rdr=true]   Weekly Washington Report [https://files.constantcontact.com/b03af9ce001/93015654-d62e-4726-bfce-42471230aa82.png?rdr=true]   May 5, 2025   Welcome to the May 5, 2025, edition of The New England Council's Weekly Washington Report. Upcoming in Congress The House and Senate will be in session for the week ahead. When the House convenes<https://lyi4jwdab.cc.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001Jv0QEMTHfJ1Jc_Uwyhr9vqBNoVp0FI_aLXbFUrtWTzsPxPESSZvPInS9EEUNKGyLqnulEW92hABFaz-fuWlXAm9BzRX8cIpJs1ztyMhHXeU1Dwx-QGot9V8kKfQVswHSovmtqc1JBVcxItHks6SL6zDc-WEmaAcW-VL-ytuDbYlJRwO_E8VzcFmKWrREVMkMgPVjPPIahyw=&c=f8vrJ0Gs1F2yStvJY4NdALR_7jBusWquotJ7xQAYFVXRuFObNIS_JA==&ch=XKQIbmqL69MxH41QYImNOUgVIFALNEy5xtCm9qBxAzkjwBbdLtx2sw==> on Monday, it will consider 18 measures from the Suspension Calendar, all but one of which are from the House Energy & Commerce Committee. On Tuesday and for the remainder of the week the House will take up legislation that has been cleared for consideration, including five joint resolutions providing congressional disapproval of proposed rules put for the by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the National Park Service, and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. On Monday at 5:30, the Senate will vote on a Motion to proceed to H.J.Res.61<https://lyi4jwdab.cc.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001Jv0QEMTHfJ1Jc_Uwyhr9vqBNoVp0FI_aLXbFUrtWTzsPxPESSZvPIoOeZ40tvzMoTdGc1hbqYHKQIwmlZJnjTyd-yFSUG8QQGzlNCzZHXG3Oh2a4DAepDZF77kWXL-fQVP_nj6wxSKE7jl6Comm0eIU51p1gxr7hf4WYEVO0vzFvbptSCrr5iTAaTMAprKMpGI1KbRQHxmzx-4i3pcJ3DINmPoc3jpKc&c=f8vrJ0Gs1F2yStvJY4NdALR_7jBusWquotJ7xQAYFVXRuFObNIS_JA==&ch=XKQIbmqL69MxH41QYImNOUgVIFALNEy5xtCm9qBxAzkjwBbdLtx2sw==>, Providing for congressional disapproval of the rule submitted by the Environmental Protection Agency relating to "National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants: Rubber Tire Manufacturing" Notably, it was reported on Friday that following a meeting between President Trump and House Republican Leadership, the decision was made to delay three critical markups on the reconciliation package due to internal disagreements among House Republicans. Markups were scheduled this week in the House Energy & Commerce, Ways & Means, and Agriculture Committees. It is now expected that these markups will take place the week of May 12. Budget/Appropriations Upcoming Hearings & Markups The House Appropriations Committee is slated to hold a minimum of nine hearings in the week ahead. To view upcoming House hearings, please click on this link<https://lyi4jwdab.cc.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001Jv0QEMTHfJ1Jc_Uwyhr9vqBNoVp0FI_aLXbFUrtWTzsPxPESSZvPIoOeZ40tvzMo2EiZIDwjH5B6kKKaLy-UmKJ8PAA701APa2n1D_her_X5D8AACLxYxz7FW3wfFLALoOlrXM1VF_0nmZHah9s9lQrGnPa3fK79QiORm1BN_YT88FfPJQILNbJ620-d5Rnkq952s3OWCII=&c=f8vrJ0Gs1F2yStvJY4NdALR_7jBusWquotJ7xQAYFVXRuFObNIS_JA==&ch=XKQIbmqL69MxH41QYImNOUgVIFALNEy5xtCm9qBxAzkjwBbdLtx2sw==> and navigate for a particular day/topic. * Wednesday, May 7, 2025 (10:00) – House Budget Committee – Hearing: The Fiscal State of the Nation<https://lyi4jwdab.cc.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001Jv0QEMTHfJ1Jc_Uwyhr9vqBNoVp0FI_aLXbFUrtWTzsPxPESSZvPIoOeZ40tvzMoFmLBJZWV0IhRtrE3RGdmStGKROMaxUW08WFiAPMh5_KKwf04S1TqmuJdSQZmq7Uml1Xng2h0eFlH1Aj804B7CaO753k0LQKOf9_yhe46j-UgovfEaxMa68nWHFpNV8VbW4jFwdSr8vJIuOSxPKR4OAd3XjjlILK8A0at94plEhY=&c=f8vrJ0Gs1F2yStvJY4NdALR_7jBusWquotJ7xQAYFVXRuFObNIS_JA==&ch=XKQIbmqL69MxH41QYImNOUgVIFALNEy5xtCm9qBxAzkjwBbdLtx2sw==> House T&I Committee Adopts Budget Reconciliation Guidelines – At a markup on Wednesday, the House Transportation and Infrastructure (T&I) Committee adopted a budget reconciliation proposal that is meant to contribute up to $10 billion in deficit reductions. Among the provisions put forward by Committee Chairman Sam Graves (R-MO) and approved by a majority of the Committee was an increase in the fee paid by electric vehicle (EV) users to $250 per year. An earlier proposal to initiate a $20 vehicle registration fee was removed while no change was made to the $100 per year fee for hybrid vehicles. The Committee estimates that this will bring in approximately $38 billion over ten years. Other savings are expected to be achieved through “the elimination of funding for several Green New Deal style programs…and other deficit reduction measures.” The bill also provides over $21 billion for the U.S. Coast Guard “for investing in assets like Offshore Patrol Cutters, Fast Response Cutters, Polar Security Cutters, fixed and rotary wing aircraft, shoreside infrastructure, and depot maintenance.” In addition, the Committee bill will appropriate $12.5 billion to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) in order to modernize air traffic control (ATC) technology. With passage, the proposal now goes to the House Budget Committee where it will be added to the final reconciliation package. Additional information can be found here <https://lyi4jwdab.cc.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001Jv0QEMTHfJ1Jc_Uwyhr9vqBNoVp0FI_aLXbFUrtWTzsPxPESSZvPIoOeZ40tvzMoc6lQf6ZOMKF2ynwl5mmnh4q5X6P17g30RpCk48w_H7psUp0u7bdrzfX8m9iiZmx8TT-Uu6uzILAzMiqFE3cUKmIHLAA2HSBcMdgmEA4oMjm87dwVUiF21OL62KySS9GQLyd1arAnHr5OPopo8IfcDrjSDVn1UxGp&c=f8vrJ0Gs1F2yStvJY4NdALR_7jBusWquotJ7xQAYFVXRuFObNIS_JA==&ch=XKQIbmqL69MxH41QYImNOUgVIFALNEy5xtCm9qBxAzkjwBbdLtx2sw==> and here<https://lyi4jwdab.cc.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001Jv0QEMTHfJ1Jc_Uwyhr9vqBNoVp0FI_aLXbFUrtWTzsPxPESSZvPIoOeZ40tvzMoYgxVTBj71aSAg8qubmTC_L5cDeDVznRXseUtvdVKwrQHIMOut4QqgdFYphKm9qn27skrw8zx6OCdNNddGl0TqfYW5YU3jvdgBlIhZTxYAwRd16iIBpm34TXsQ14nfg3Lw_q68BG1r9bDQKAN6wOSKwDFK0TDB4F2&c=f8vrJ0Gs1F2yStvJY4NdALR_7jBusWquotJ7xQAYFVXRuFObNIS_JA==&ch=XKQIbmqL69MxH41QYImNOUgVIFALNEy5xtCm9qBxAzkjwBbdLtx2sw==>. Energy & Environment Upcoming Hearings and Markups: * Tuesday, May 6 2025 – House Natural Resources Committee, Full Committee Markup<https://lyi4jwdab.cc.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001Jv0QEMTHfJ1Jc_Uwyhr9vqBNoVp0FI_aLXbFUrtWTzsPxPESSZvPIoOeZ40tvzMopbGYCx18QIAyXmYTKus2IWNDz2WiUflE59wBnnFQSKbDROwGXKolsLuahm724kNLnscI7Hy_A58zfwmQun9w7HUlN6ObpFFqO7wcAG_23Ki7TGp8mr_CsqY66QB3FIqK8KWJn3qbIgh6xB1H_baLXdWRLX7d7Dl2&c=f8vrJ0Gs1F2yStvJY4NdALR_7jBusWquotJ7xQAYFVXRuFObNIS_JA==&ch=XKQIbmqL69MxH41QYImNOUgVIFALNEy5xtCm9qBxAzkjwBbdLtx2sw==>. (It is anticipated that this markup will pertain to portions of the budget reconciliation) * Wednesday, May 7, 2025 – House Committee on Appropriations, Subcommittee on Energy and Water Development, and Related Agencies: Budget Hearing - U.S. Department of Energy<https://lyi4jwdab.cc.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001Jv0QEMTHfJ1Jc_Uwyhr9vqBNoVp0FI_aLXbFUrtWTzsPxPESSZvPIoOeZ40tvzMoK4nmxdcu0JDKvIu4JWXmWxWXEjIC1yUDBTFFWsY9p7e81x9VeSEW-RmR0F9Bz0ONXELA54HRhnSaXtu-ydEMx5jAiHmQnekClIhhr4MLHfF2OCAi3Q5Y2caq6q6wIe85Y3hS2ED2IE4k2NRKml2WWVNsQyD0UmBwg8dA-EEpeqo=&c=f8vrJ0Gs1F2yStvJY4NdALR_7jBusWquotJ7xQAYFVXRuFObNIS_JA==&ch=XKQIbmqL69MxH41QYImNOUgVIFALNEy5xtCm9qBxAzkjwBbdLtx2sw==> * Wednesday, May 7, 2025 – House Committee on Appropriations, Subcommittee on Homeland Security – Hearing: Oversight Hearing The Federal Emergency Management Agency<https://lyi4jwdab.cc.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001Jv0QEMTHfJ1Jc_Uwyhr9vqBNoVp0FI_aLXbFUrtWTzsPxPESSZvPIoOeZ40tvzMoPr9PHU9xZaqB_fOr7Tzn5SWN2HNLpdz7qGW25hkz6KPYJWyUTnbgPWJ_kEKB0DnF5a1791rGVQuJs02Q_qRuwUuQ4pQP6ejmaUNEvuTypCY9CEWrmiVqSG1OAPrkf3Cp9GqLZ8IY20J23tnMuE1qEkQu6Tme8QeL1-Ks50toIDgQEhDrTWDZo4ObyV41Weuv62rCQu0BejA=&c=f8vrJ0Gs1F2yStvJY4NdALR_7jBusWquotJ7xQAYFVXRuFObNIS_JA==&ch=XKQIbmqL69MxH41QYImNOUgVIFALNEy5xtCm9qBxAzkjwBbdLtx2sw==> Senators Introduce Bipartisan Legislation to Ban Offshore Drilling – On Earth Day, Senators Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Susan Collins (R-ME), Maggie Hassan (D-NH), Angus King (I-ME), Edward J. Markey (D-MA), Chris Murphy (D-CT), Jack Reed (D-RI), Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), and Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) introduced the bipartisan legislation, the New England Coastal Protection Act<https://lyi4jwdab.cc.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001Jv0QEMTHfJ1Jc_Uwyhr9vqBNoVp0FI_aLXbFUrtWTzsPxPESSZvPIoOeZ40tvzMorpi2SogCzdzMMb6-ZCKr_095kbmIgiH4ozH0DKVyQN-OVLUkouVkn_-S89ENWXECFweMSDLN1EhrQ0VRy0eLabQomR93TFHyXufjHgeKSuVRyuEmVpza5glzZ8QNzM2yGeZEcOsaUWN8VwrykytuCg==&c=f8vrJ0Gs1F2yStvJY4NdALR_7jBusWquotJ7xQAYFVXRuFObNIS_JA==&ch=XKQIbmqL69MxH41QYImNOUgVIFALNEy5xtCm9qBxAzkjwBbdLtx2sw==>. The bill would permanently ban offshore oil and gas drilling along the New England coast and aims to safeguard a coastal economy that generates more than $17.5 billion annually through industries.  Additionally, Congressman Seth Magaziner (D-RI) introduced companion legislation in the House. In a press release<https://lyi4jwdab.cc.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001Jv0QEMTHfJ1Jc_Uwyhr9vqBNoVp0FI_aLXbFUrtWTzsPxPESSZvPIoOeZ40tvzMojZspyGoGEmC76PF14gKd7YR4Bm1cUosZpuA3F36_cUjJoFM6Y1my1OYwCyoj8EtoG4uwf3w6p7dzQWO2xeBmaIA8HOv6PiWg8Vh0op6sOV0wgKsznIR5T2HwUeywZRkCw4joQYHXY_jWzJ2X8GjRCWJxIww9wNVagpMsM0WX9SqDBMFTF8jKlslpfHdo8G-Ik0Zw7Jn9HHpuemUsC14Fiw==&c=f8vrJ0Gs1F2yStvJY4NdALR_7jBusWquotJ7xQAYFVXRuFObNIS_JA==&ch=XKQIbmqL69MxH41QYImNOUgVIFALNEy5xtCm9qBxAzkjwBbdLtx2sw==>, Sen. Whitehouse argued “offshore drilling would enrich the fossil fuel industry at the expense of the Ocean State’s coastal economy and the health of our Narragansett Bay.” Sen. Collins then added that “the waters off Maine’s coast provide a healthy ecosystem for our fisheries and are an integral part of our tourism industry, supporting thousands of jobs and generating billions of dollars in revenue each year. Offshore drilling along the coast could impact Mainers of all walks of life for generations.” In the same week, President Donald Trump signed an executive order<https://lyi4jwdab.cc.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001Jv0QEMTHfJ1Jc_Uwyhr9vqBNoVp0FI_aLXbFUrtWTzsPxPESSZvPIoOeZ40tvzMoBrrIxOzXOfPYG8ZFSpzYQaOU6gjVQhhoRXROcsvpTqfTQSEdg1ftSbJAjakAYbdPvXLUQPP_XVH33g0BmoHwC4AjTqlpednA&c=f8vrJ0Gs1F2yStvJY4NdALR_7jBusWquotJ7xQAYFVXRuFObNIS_JA==&ch=XKQIbmqL69MxH41QYImNOUgVIFALNEy5xtCm9qBxAzkjwBbdLtx2sw==> that aims to spur mining on the ocean floor. The Interior and Commerce departments were directed to expedite permitting, licensing, and mapping on the Outer Continental Shelf, as well as accelerate seabed mineral exploration and development. Read more here<https://lyi4jwdab.cc.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001Jv0QEMTHfJ1Jc_Uwyhr9vqBNoVp0FI_aLXbFUrtWTzsPxPESSZvPIoOeZ40tvzMofj_7HONkaXdS7m_GXUz6yL_a_qzx1UI8Tui0ucyRH0NmREISpp4H0inojkxOBEH-mnRJCPXdRun1qIIBOsKlpMuUpk5ZN9pWkL1tEQug-e5cygIud177WpcyYeywjC0u7T1X8K2hUlHtL0kbFo3qTyS8rwJBm4TO4rWy9VTarxo6JGYZkaruF1iKyo3fwNd-61XiN4IfqZ_zgJqYnrOOnw==&c=f8vrJ0Gs1F2yStvJY4NdALR_7jBusWquotJ7xQAYFVXRuFObNIS_JA==&ch=XKQIbmqL69MxH41QYImNOUgVIFALNEy5xtCm9qBxAzkjwBbdLtx2sw==>. Bill Reintroduced to Support U.S. Path to Net-Zero Greenhouse Gas Emissions – Also in recognition of Earth Day, Congresswoman Chellie Pingree (D-ME) and Senator Marin Heinrich (D-NM) reintroduced The Agriculture Resilience Act (ARA).<https://lyi4jwdab.cc.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001Jv0QEMTHfJ1Jc_Uwyhr9vqBNoVp0FI_aLXbFUrtWTzsPxPESSZvPIoOeZ40tvzMorhz78siPHWHtBoLpH3B0TUBuXHYJUk3gta3vSSeRTLa6tdkkXY1-koZbNfXptjetbfljjyqQu1NFzJRKLcr6WCla9rK3U6AkCfmHLi2iaa9oAiGPnRaGaVnvaq_GX6abHHFaHWkng2u2zhTSMlcT-eSNWRGUqUX8&c=f8vrJ0Gs1F2yStvJY4NdALR_7jBusWquotJ7xQAYFVXRuFObNIS_JA==&ch=XKQIbmqL69MxH41QYImNOUgVIFALNEy5xtCm9qBxAzkjwBbdLtx2sw==> The Bill aims to help the U.S. reach net-zero greenhouse gas emissions in the agricultural sector by 2040 while simultaneously booting the resilience and profitability of American farming. The bill focuses on six key policy areas to guide Americans to that goal: increasing Research, improving Soil Health, protecting existing farmland and supporting farm viability, supporting pasture-based livestock systems, boosting investments in on-farm energy initiatives, and reducing food waste. In a press release<https://lyi4jwdab.cc.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001Jv0QEMTHfJ1Jc_Uwyhr9vqBNoVp0FI_aLXbFUrtWTzsPxPESSZvPIoOeZ40tvzMoDqlwy-H5PKIt2BALwWfdzjdmoenN8Go0IuBDfQLUMU6dO0OHkGivSCHvfsM1OBZn7fFh0vPoVLP4ZxJxe5g5xfoufIXlkr0Jjxy1mFmUH4uKQeS0FDx7HWZs6ZdtdUI6ti8gPH7M-B3_LYYRDS6OHA==&c=f8vrJ0Gs1F2yStvJY4NdALR_7jBusWquotJ7xQAYFVXRuFObNIS_JA==&ch=XKQIbmqL69MxH41QYImNOUgVIFALNEy5xtCm9qBxAzkjwBbdLtx2sw==>, Rep. Pingree emphasized the urgency of advancing climate-focused agriculture policy, stating, “from historic droughts and wildfires to devastating floods and extreme weather, America’s farmers are directly impacted by the climate crisis . . . These goals are ambitious—but they’re achievable. By helping farmers adopt practices that boost resilience and profitability, this bill charts a path to not only create a more sustainable future for America’s agriculture sector, but ensure greater economic viability for our farmers as well.” The bill has garnered support<https://lyi4jwdab.cc.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001Jv0QEMTHfJ1Jc_Uwyhr9vqBNoVp0FI_aLXbFUrtWTzsPxPESSZvPIoOeZ40tvzMoWX56eaWUMbgHJffLlst9vlFamHjsm9AOEZ0sRwZfLtDuvKnpdStoa5WyMxRPkkFbZB5DRflxO2Vbs-EeuumjzFhJdY6Ivt8nK-EgxF548ZqU4s6CPz43pYWq0OnfIYUiSlXm827awKS3lUbOhYCf03cSj9l0BOiJ&c=f8vrJ0Gs1F2yStvJY4NdALR_7jBusWquotJ7xQAYFVXRuFObNIS_JA==&ch=XKQIbmqL69MxH41QYImNOUgVIFALNEy5xtCm9qBxAzkjwBbdLtx2sw==> from dozens of national and local organizations, including American Farmland Trust, World Wildlife Fund, Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association, Stonyfield, and Organic Valley. EPA Plans to Address PFAS, Emphasizes 'Polluter Pays' Approach – this month, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) unveiled a series of actions to tackle nationwide contamination from per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). The actions include designating an agency lead for the PFAS chemicals developing wastewater guidelines for PFAS manufacturers and metal finishers. Manufacturers, not taxpayers or utilities, will shoulder the financial burden for cleaning up the pollution. Additionally, the agency will work with Congress to strengthen liability standards and shield passive receivers. and moving forward with cleanup in areas where drinking water supplies show PFAS contamination. EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin said the approach reflects a whole-agency response from all EPA program offices, and they intend to address, “the most significant compliance challenges and requests from Congress and drinking water systems.” Read more here<https://lyi4jwdab.cc.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001Jv0QEMTHfJ1Jc_Uwyhr9vqBNoVp0FI_aLXbFUrtWTzsPxPESSZvPIoOeZ40tvzMo8bpN7B3zgSXS5YhpgkcslKbBrinKTdgL9OxgIiWQyPb4kS34RrrPaYmE1j0KKSxcrO9YrcLRY1PRNftVDbzwGhgC__1FDgLwTc-97SHi7QLKuNRCX4PC9bo5Pu8kbmjk3eDFjh0xg7KcR3JobHHalc3oBE2tpjoGc5GspN5MMbZ9KIcf2NxS0jZrMZP-zzpW&c=f8vrJ0Gs1F2yStvJY4NdALR_7jBusWquotJ7xQAYFVXRuFObNIS_JA==&ch=XKQIbmqL69MxH41QYImNOUgVIFALNEy5xtCm9qBxAzkjwBbdLtx2sw==>. EPA Cancels Grants, Environmental Justice Projects Targeted - The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has confirmed plans to cancel 781 grants issued under President Joe Biden's administration. The announcement followed a court filing in the ongoing case Woonasquatucket River Watershed Council v. Department of Agriculture, where the EPA publicly acknowledged the full scope of the cancellations, including all of its environmental justice grants. EPA Deputy Assistant Administrator Daniel Coogan confirmed that 377 grantees have already been notified, with 404 additional notifications expected in the coming weeks, and the EPA stands by its actions, claiming the cancellations align with its priorities and it conducted thorough reviews of each grant. The cancellation of these grants has drawn widespread criticism with multiple environmental nonprofits suing the EPA over its actions. Governor Maura Healey (D-MA) also expressed her concerns about the impact of these cuts, specifically on Hampden County, Massachusetts, where nearly $1 million in grants aimed at addressing poor air quality and asthma was canceled. Read more here<https://lyi4jwdab.cc.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001Jv0QEMTHfJ1Jc_Uwyhr9vqBNoVp0FI_aLXbFUrtWTzsPxPESSZvPIoOeZ40tvzMo5skdxcPgPX-HRz_3FCpyHKtyd70hJTH8LuG_fDWC12Hd7BylndYC7m4INNoWaIz00wOJZoHnL72saKfv6irjN16jwAW8VJzj4sAKdsUGZGpQX64f34u4BaAQ90-bbGDrTMcIt4LW80FwW1TIvhQIM1WAmuTj3fjj1cOFcdRrkgd4jcHnQS0BggGVW4VyWi9IRoACiyOrRf9-99hfPEukm1ICidr09-WPPSHv1S8gfER5Atw3wXz1hWMMnGbxRwPRxqmzWmDMjeyUoqMHEGBo1A==&c=f8vrJ0Gs1F2yStvJY4NdALR_7jBusWquotJ7xQAYFVXRuFObNIS_JA==&ch=XKQIbmqL69MxH41QYImNOUgVIFALNEy5xtCm9qBxAzkjwBbdLtx2sw==> For more information on the Council's Energy & Environment Committee<https://lyi4jwdab.cc.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001Jv0QEMTHfJ1Jc_Uwyhr9vqBNoVp0FI_aLXbFUrtWTzsPxPESSZvPIiq6Gx42sZAJmTuCAMefHBSRCyigCzsDRoa2idwqErCcv1JjD83Wac0xkV8C9s2M_hiBA4bpkT3RP_tt257UdDlnCOwOmOxSPKpsj_6coduzYvF1ydNQFx6s3k5KMpQDLmGsPHPnWhzSnVyc64PJxw8=&c=f8vrJ0Gs1F2yStvJY4NdALR_7jBusWquotJ7xQAYFVXRuFObNIS_JA==&ch=XKQIbmqL69MxH41QYImNOUgVIFALNEy5xtCm9qBxAzkjwBbdLtx2sw==>, please contact Sean Malone<mailto:smalone@newenglandcouncil.com>. Financial Services/Fiscal Policy Upcoming Hearings and Markups: * Tuesday, May 6, 2025 – House Committee on Financial Services, Subcommittee on Digital Assets, Financial Technology, and Artificial Intelligence and the House Committee on Agriculture, Subcommittee on Commodity Markets, Digital Assets, and Rural Development - Joint Hearing: American Innovation and the Future of Digital Assets: A Blueprint for the 21st Century<https://lyi4jwdab.cc.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001Jv0QEMTHfJ1Jc_Uwyhr9vqBNoVp0FI_aLXbFUrtWTzsPxPESSZvPIoOeZ40tvzMogKf5fZq1wEPGa9e4nIQ7UwiX-IAl1HaIJA9iOao-xJa4yYpmzC3K9YLE_wcl9T0zik4Y5zxxIenCO5oD5WG7wU5TJDAhLNVCP3gbaKFLsiQe9gHjWfqtLg3I6x33j2SPYdg9gsw8D-7cENhhPDXlt8A8CBPAI0e2G_GcHpOEBYA=&c=f8vrJ0Gs1F2yStvJY4NdALR_7jBusWquotJ7xQAYFVXRuFObNIS_JA==&ch=XKQIbmqL69MxH41QYImNOUgVIFALNEy5xtCm9qBxAzkjwBbdLtx2sw==> * Wednesday, May 07, 2025 - Committee on Financial Services - Hearing Entitled: The Annual Testimony of the Secretary of the Treasury on the State of the International Financial System<https://lyi4jwdab.cc.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001Jv0QEMTHfJ1Jc_Uwyhr9vqBNoVp0FI_aLXbFUrtWTzsPxPESSZvPIoOeZ40tvzMosZ70WvM9ZzCQkOKqCEby3iT62czC7hdvD0gQc_DD7XsfN1_mRYR8PbGTm3fWe3Ok3TW-TkWTvxJLOKqJY1eGQClfABeajjwiy9MnYD3UQKKRvzHuyCDNOdkFBclVgTQl2M-taCwAjMz91bzkJsXQ1dDHzlFZCt1aTEmWNWqBxUU=&c=f8vrJ0Gs1F2yStvJY4NdALR_7jBusWquotJ7xQAYFVXRuFObNIS_JA==&ch=XKQIbmqL69MxH41QYImNOUgVIFALNEy5xtCm9qBxAzkjwBbdLtx2sw==> * Wednesday, May 14, 2025 – House Committee on Small Business, Subcommittee on Economic Growth, Tax, and Capital Access – Hearing: “Investing in America: How Private Equity Empowers Main Street”<https://lyi4jwdab.cc.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001Jv0QEMTHfJ1Jc_Uwyhr9vqBNoVp0FI_aLXbFUrtWTzsPxPESSZvPIoOeZ40tvzMoVq-Vb_k0AMbcNRrhLjGftQVbVcjyizS1_FIdpVGHsl0gESRc1l1pWZZIoQ3atQQ60FAS698tciDj8GKYnOhorQWL411Mw1JW_Sl3Sjcr83lbnpioQ0cNo4VRq-FCJOj0kCMCTXA6mvqI8YBrvEjI_ehJVDT_gQgc&c=f8vrJ0Gs1F2yStvJY4NdALR_7jBusWquotJ7xQAYFVXRuFObNIS_JA==&ch=XKQIbmqL69MxH41QYImNOUgVIFALNEy5xtCm9qBxAzkjwBbdLtx2sw==> * Wednesday, May 14, 2025 - house Financial Services Committee, Subcommittee on Financial Institutions - Hearing: Enhancing Competition: Shaping the Future of Bank Mergers and De Novo Formation”<https://lyi4jwdab.cc.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001Jv0QEMTHfJ1Jc_Uwyhr9vqBNoVp0FI_aLXbFUrtWTzsPxPESSZvPIoOeZ40tvzMo8l5plcbjrsSrVJpcZ7nHxIUmRPSagCxdttLwqRJu0YyzXdykyftJregPpClNdjHTcKjZepP-R2eZbnXcnq3WtRC8FYT9Shtj5k-ncuRdQK2K5iSUBFP9IkZ9HZvRKIPiuAWyjRTv1rburgyrpf2IpLogw4ZuUpyTff7SpEDDymI=&c=f8vrJ0Gs1F2yStvJY4NdALR_7jBusWquotJ7xQAYFVXRuFObNIS_JA==&ch=XKQIbmqL69MxH41QYImNOUgVIFALNEy5xtCm9qBxAzkjwBbdLtx2sw==> New England Democrats Join Coalition to Keep Social Security Field Offices Open – All 11 New England Democratic Senators, as well as several House Democrats from the region, joined a coalition of over 100 Congressional Democrats in writing to the Acting Commissioner of the Social Security Administration (SSA), Leland Dudek, to demand that he keep Social Security field offices open. The letter<https://lyi4jwdab.cc.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001Jv0QEMTHfJ1Jc_Uwyhr9vqBNoVp0FI_aLXbFUrtWTzsPxPESSZvPIoOeZ40tvzMoeDBG3f6TWVTRSo-TtWU2gPRTleBHZSl8U6Up7ZREC1PFOjDsLQMNzj2KYcKjfTjomkOFkieAs6ftreDZ0zEndi_QVa_bwVXpFrIm0KTiXcWnsgpPnScXthDdp5HLPxDo1lLzWE_lo3txNL5EGIYmNTKTBWXaq8U15mt0Jr4csGesx3Da99RWQRr4Vf_KWPYuKs3jLiM9sGg=&c=f8vrJ0Gs1F2yStvJY4NdALR_7jBusWquotJ7xQAYFVXRuFObNIS_JA==&ch=XKQIbmqL69MxH41QYImNOUgVIFALNEy5xtCm9qBxAzkjwBbdLtx2sw==> came following reports that the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) has directed the closure of numerous SSA offices, including those in Hartford, Bridgeport, and New Haven Connecticut. The letter listed every SSA field office across the country and pressed Acting Commissioner Dudek to commit to keeping every single one of them open and operating. Further, in a press release<https://lyi4jwdab.cc.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001Jv0QEMTHfJ1Jc_Uwyhr9vqBNoVp0FI_aLXbFUrtWTzsPxPESSZvPIoOeZ40tvzMom2-nVkBvqPIGXe5stVXx7RRVsNjImivIU5vwnnBCyDzWYuijl4pFsMiI19V3v_nz3E8RKCPOwN7Gcysxkm_1ildM20htS-QPf9FkgavHhWew19DV2u6K90NeGIruIuYlIPfTk1dJHq3V-IKKDA9JwCkvh8dFT60EGeRAJr9xVquCeDhW7J8JWE-cpEsO5fOfWohg9Y5jDtLXXEzJSNXE1ln2a67Kh3sZOGFP9Vg1RzfBlF4ADBK0jfV4mRX4HoIkvmmUXHnsb0U=&c=f8vrJ0Gs1F2yStvJY4NdALR_7jBusWquotJ7xQAYFVXRuFObNIS_JA==&ch=XKQIbmqL69MxH41QYImNOUgVIFALNEy5xtCm9qBxAzkjwBbdLtx2sw==>,<https://lyi4jwdab.cc.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001Jv0QEMTHfJ1Jc_Uwyhr9vqBNoVp0FI_aLXbFUrtWTzsPxPESSZvPIoOeZ40tvzMom2-nVkBvqPIGXe5stVXx7RRVsNjImivIU5vwnnBCyDzWYuijl4pFsMiI19V3v_nz3E8RKCPOwN7Gcysxkm_1ildM20htS-QPf9FkgavHhWew19DV2u6K90NeGIruIuYlIPfTk1dJHq3V-IKKDA9JwCkvh8dFT60EGeRAJr9xVquCeDhW7J8JWE-cpEsO5fOfWohg9Y5jDtLXXEzJSNXE1ln2a67Kh3sZOGFP9Vg1RzfBlF4ADBK0jYtWBLJWLBZ7oOX1qZpBCWA=&c=f8vrJ0Gs1F2yStvJY4NdALR_7jBusWquotJ7xQAYFVXRuFObNIS_JA==&ch=XKQIbmqL69MxH41QYImNOUgVIFALNEy5xtCm9qBxAzkjwBbdLtx2sw==> the lawmakers stated that this initiative is part of Senate Democrats’ new Social Security War Room<https://lyi4jwdab.cc.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001Jv0QEMTHfJ1Jc_Uwyhr9vqBNoVp0FI_aLXbFUrtWTzsPxPESSZvPIoOeZ40tvzMogY4uUOYthg7JWS3rbf3xc27LYlhkTL7BK1Z4kfrCWKyNIjkjb14Gn_fkHyE_BOn-CeMIZVEEIgtldhbAEymTPsGgrjz0skZ4PUAQwghrAg1MPKtqr1EGoIgNuaRaSkxU&c=f8vrJ0Gs1F2yStvJY4NdALR_7jBusWquotJ7xQAYFVXRuFObNIS_JA==&ch=XKQIbmqL69MxH41QYImNOUgVIFALNEy5xtCm9qBxAzkjwBbdLtx2sw==>. House Small Business Committee Advances Seven GOP Bills - On Wednesday, Representative Roger Williams (R-TX), Chairman of the House Committee on Small Business, led a full Committee markup where all seven bills considered were passed by the Committee. The Republican-backed bills aim to reshape the Small Business Administration (SBA) and roll back regulations and overreach the new administration claims occurred under the previous one. Notably, among the bills<https://lyi4jwdab.cc.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001Jv0QEMTHfJ1Jc_Uwyhr9vqBNoVp0FI_aLXbFUrtWTzsPxPESSZvPIoOeZ40tvzMoBeJ0YIsrb5mtHo53artu0cBIwV1mFgPDFu_IeD4d_1MCmgfKEtRPtnzDVv5zuYo7xlU-oL8WyBoSeYofLn525UGJCi33nOByxJK_CisFLQK0YZeX11NIlj05wgObPr-XoyMJET4PZ07PIgf9LbiFixeMpHCXNkm0&c=f8vrJ0Gs1F2yStvJY4NdALR_7jBusWquotJ7xQAYFVXRuFObNIS_JA==&ch=XKQIbmqL69MxH41QYImNOUgVIFALNEy5xtCm9qBxAzkjwBbdLtx2sw==> (all passed by a 15-11 vote) was (H.R. 2968) Business Over Ballots Act<https://lyi4jwdab.cc.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001Jv0QEMTHfJ1Jc_Uwyhr9vqBNoVp0FI_aLXbFUrtWTzsPxPESSZvPIoOeZ40tvzModEnnCvJc9JlTFLLooqVU6SF807kWSCZF3AZ02hcDWmt-P71v6a-tDmdQ6yVtv8_yPK2Ye7Nlf_s0AWwXyNjEVHAMsDvmXoHr3eEvjmodYTp6evGbivB76uzs4z4ldUE2Rt4wjLQX2N7TyIZmhrNj4g==&c=f8vrJ0Gs1F2yStvJY4NdALR_7jBusWquotJ7xQAYFVXRuFObNIS_JA==&ch=XKQIbmqL69MxH41QYImNOUgVIFALNEy5xtCm9qBxAzkjwBbdLtx2sw==>, which would bar the Small Business Administration from facilitating voter registration access, a direct opposition to actions taken under the Biden administration. Other bills included: - (H.R. 2027<https://lyi4jwdab.cc.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001Jv0QEMTHfJ1Jc_Uwyhr9vqBNoVp0FI_aLXbFUrtWTzsPxPESSZvPIoOeZ40tvzMoaTGOq-oT97x00PRbv4tT9lq7ix9LfgBBNx-n6Z-WF8ykqUxUaoQ3DYoVxtyzoIDiH-HN_-gN9klquWiC0jSELCLFaX-O311G1c17Jmuom813f6-5oAghcp8TtyVWt-C3loUiAFj16QjlHz3_5xgxsA==&c=f8vrJ0Gs1F2yStvJY4NdALR_7jBusWquotJ7xQAYFVXRuFObNIS_JA==&ch=XKQIbmqL69MxH41QYImNOUgVIFALNEy5xtCm9qBxAzkjwBbdLtx2sw==>) Returning SBA to Main Street Act - (H.R. 2966<https://lyi4jwdab.cc.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001Jv0QEMTHfJ1Jc_Uwyhr9vqBNoVp0FI_aLXbFUrtWTzsPxPESSZvPIoOeZ40tvzMopu93RlVZGvpKuypShYKFNAbiY0ZUHwqKkIeBbnkMa26ao0SUlajOq7rn512CyvglTOkDbG1Q31NE1jMHoetU_rZqTaWOnX-UNacCFMDof5nxxzfHBpD9r72Rjw5oUCFwGaZLl_5GQI5-JZka-ZPc6w==&c=f8vrJ0Gs1F2yStvJY4NdALR_7jBusWquotJ7xQAYFVXRuFObNIS_JA==&ch=XKQIbmqL69MxH41QYImNOUgVIFALNEy5xtCm9qBxAzkjwBbdLtx2sw==>) American Entrepreneurs First Act - (H.R. 2965<https://lyi4jwdab.cc.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001Jv0QEMTHfJ1Jc_Uwyhr9vqBNoVp0FI_aLXbFUrtWTzsPxPESSZvPIoOeZ40tvzMoz-Bgm9eKLhGKshI0i1YO5eRj6DYNpoJFXYTCbZeJa3dwu8qX0V2IgUIpugJe42tQ7lOLIaWFIywW4eH_VUpurtYkjrr-GhkTp80XgHocO1oB_AlJYeO9Wm6KlnEx7pqpXfn2WIHmomLXxCqdv6TVhQ==&c=f8vrJ0Gs1F2yStvJY4NdALR_7jBusWquotJ7xQAYFVXRuFObNIS_JA==&ch=XKQIbmqL69MxH41QYImNOUgVIFALNEy5xtCm9qBxAzkjwBbdLtx2sw==>) Small Business Regulatory Reduction Act of 2025 - And (H.R. 1163<https://lyi4jwdab.cc.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001Jv0QEMTHfJ1Jc_Uwyhr9vqBNoVp0FI_aLXbFUrtWTzsPxPESSZvPIoOeZ40tvzMoTfIbQumy-OhfYoUr6LYlC1sNj2Vmhzk3A3MekV5XpJrlWoVsx3E4-2Am2EGUiMj5HkbK6oXadqzGbXF1N6G7o7oNMXXQ9jRPBwPaEvX1BsdaDU2cqSIf56ZiXVtyO0j4t_thY5UeAjLGso9Uj-KUjA==&c=f8vrJ0Gs1F2yStvJY4NdALR_7jBusWquotJ7xQAYFVXRuFObNIS_JA==&ch=XKQIbmqL69MxH41QYImNOUgVIFALNEy5xtCm9qBxAzkjwBbdLtx2sw==>) Prove It Act of 2025 House Republicans Advance Deep Cuts to CFPB - During a Wednesday markup<https://lyi4jwdab.cc.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001Jv0QEMTHfJ1Jc_Uwyhr9vqBNoVp0FI_aLXbFUrtWTzsPxPESSZvPIoOeZ40tvzMoXwAY100lYPt80CTIwIkBHM6lC06MRy6-sn6GmxrJgZaTUCv-pz1NmANNIEn_Vli8UH3RnXIkYHiSAWjuLvd3GlJvymxgccCPKNPqM_p-oPPWxEcY0j1s5MfX4_nnOgk52Juat-qo9kGfAGxkZ-NVlnFv_nw7fl5r9t9a56ngW-Y=&c=f8vrJ0Gs1F2yStvJY4NdALR_7jBusWquotJ7xQAYFVXRuFObNIS_JA==&ch=XKQIbmqL69MxH41QYImNOUgVIFALNEy5xtCm9qBxAzkjwBbdLtx2sw==>, the House Financial Services Committee approved reconciliation recommendations that will cut funding for the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) and dissolve the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board and fold it into the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The panel voted along party lines, 30-22, to approve this reconciliation text. The committee recommended reducing the CFPB budget by about 70% as well as rescind unspent funds for a Department Housing and Urban Development green energy program and excess civil penalties to the U.S. Treasury. The Fed provided $823 million to the CFPB in fiscal 2025 and under the new proposal, that amount would be cut to $249 million instead. Committee Democrats offered more than three dozen amendments to the language that were rejected on party lines throughout the nine-hour markup. The approved language now heads to the House Budget Committee for inclusion in the larger reconciliation package. Rep. Maxine Waters (D-CA), the Committee’s Ranking Member, accused Republicans of trying to defund the CFPB to enable massive tax breaks, stating “Committee Republicans are cosigning this destruction and helping Trump and co-president Elon Musk dismantle the agencies responsible for bringing down costs.” Notably Rep. Waters told the committee the CFPB has successfully returned $21 billion to consumers since its founding. Read more here<https://lyi4jwdab.cc.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001Jv0QEMTHfJ1Jc_Uwyhr9vqBNoVp0FI_aLXbFUrtWTzsPxPESSZvPIoOeZ40tvzMoGpi_Bz8LBqqeTtRO4-s0zypuA0jORNMxwW2ccVXVm8KoFwszkM-KKxRzVdqGE4GPEhVO9GIbGKIcj5uZtqig1r8c7ZJM3r_Yq8HsgmllZkW8GLinf-RIv2ABHZ4kf5UW0-I5HWhB7wINGcRpDTPmIRLpXv4iLVxIn6rSnbizTE8kpITt7SBChQcwVPU8ym4lGWcva1xM7HytMqPBM7Tt6FdO-yfkotYV9BhtQpDy0bYq9jf7vCY5Qw==&c=f8vrJ0Gs1F2yStvJY4NdALR_7jBusWquotJ7xQAYFVXRuFObNIS_JA==&ch=XKQIbmqL69MxH41QYImNOUgVIFALNEy5xtCm9qBxAzkjwBbdLtx2sw==>. House Financial Services Subcommittee Holds Hearing on Regulations, Accountability, and Transparency – On Tuesday, the House Financial Services Subcommittee on Financial Institutions convened for the hearing: “Regulatory Overreach: The Price Tag on American Prosperity.”<https://lyi4jwdab.cc.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001Jv0QEMTHfJ1Jc_Uwyhr9vqBNoVp0FI_aLXbFUrtWTzsPxPESSZvPIoOeZ40tvzMoIgrzE-TtAC-KEiENzHZ37ES9i3mkyr3-rckN36bL04PxssK5iflSdsZg6v2RNo_inVaF6UKIvEZ3gAKYTB3Ta0qVjWG1o5AgEX_hiMvJpFlUaFsnxcO0w1pD1l-A0y4VLRNOh-d6zoBF9a_GhQus0aDjmG-tiZeajl2upYdR-TE=&c=f8vrJ0Gs1F2yStvJY4NdALR_7jBusWquotJ7xQAYFVXRuFObNIS_JA==&ch=XKQIbmqL69MxH41QYImNOUgVIFALNEy5xtCm9qBxAzkjwBbdLtx2sw==> Lawmakers and expert witnesses discussed how what they describe as excessive and misaligned oversight harms smaller financial institutions. Subcommittee members asked witnesses what reforms were needed to recalibrate oversight and accountability for regional and community banks, specifically ones facing one-size-fits-all regulation standards. Further, some Democrats expressed concern that the legislation proposed could reduce accountability at key financial watchdogs and weaker consumer protection standards. The Subcommittee also looked at 15 legislative proposals in the hearing, including the Taking Account of Institutions with Low Operation Risk of 2025 Act of 2025, or the TAILOR Act, which would mandate federal regulators scale rules based on the risk profile of each bank. Also discussed were the FDIC Board Accountability Act, which removes the CFPB Director as a voting member of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) board, and the Banking Regulator International Reporting Act, which would require annual reporting by federal banking agencies on interactions with non-governmental international organizations. Watch full hearing here<https://lyi4jwdab.cc.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001Jv0QEMTHfJ1Jc_Uwyhr9vqBNoVp0FI_aLXbFUrtWTzsPxPESSZvPIoOeZ40tvzMoL-irlFYi_AeZah8lOT0oxlo7SQKoZzVicfDZ9h_o2pyklC3EgkQsTisNDRiHs9xI-QYe9Uu4Hj2ifqLwU40d7gnlIsDMb35Q95wh5TxAn4xtcCq0tzYXFQ==&c=f8vrJ0Gs1F2yStvJY4NdALR_7jBusWquotJ7xQAYFVXRuFObNIS_JA==&ch=XKQIbmqL69MxH41QYImNOUgVIFALNEy5xtCm9qBxAzkjwBbdLtx2sw==>. For more information on the Council's Financial Services Committee<https://lyi4jwdab.cc.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001Jv0QEMTHfJ1Jc_Uwyhr9vqBNoVp0FI_aLXbFUrtWTzsPxPESSZvPIkqWt1bRzSq1eyeZspKYo6ZoGqHQqSpn2KcGe8Tn1sdPFD99aWjx4jTHTLk86kmsGAkkeoXL0SGk4ycKe9SSc5C7D-ZUAPvSVLbSPZn0LL8oNrlZYbY-ujA5O1VbUrVLOCWb7G9UPkkc28wS5OFVgGE=&c=f8vrJ0Gs1F2yStvJY4NdALR_7jBusWquotJ7xQAYFVXRuFObNIS_JA==&ch=XKQIbmqL69MxH41QYImNOUgVIFALNEy5xtCm9qBxAzkjwBbdLtx2sw==>, please contact Emily Heisig. Healthcare Congress Prepares to Address Budget Cuts and Healthcare – Last week, House Republicans conducted several meetings<https://lyi4jwdab.cc.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001Jv0QEMTHfJ1Jc_Uwyhr9vqBNoVp0FI_aLXbFUrtWTzsPxPESSZvPIoOeZ40tvzMocW40GgAI61udE14b4OaXKZY-rliz3crVsGkHU54JM3mOMM-a8X3m8d6zUupOZA8flU2x5WFlng_6PCKI42o3T-z8LmJCCk8LjC7HoynNumDMeG4PYHCV8nhINlPwPe6mt8YVzaB44TJnXUG8WFBE-UF4Pid8rLSYyqsQKJOd6eU=&c=f8vrJ0Gs1F2yStvJY4NdALR_7jBusWquotJ7xQAYFVXRuFObNIS_JA==&ch=XKQIbmqL69MxH41QYImNOUgVIFALNEy5xtCm9qBxAzkjwBbdLtx2sw==> to discuss budget instructions calling for the committee to find $880 billion in savings. Energy and Commerce Committee Chair Brett Guthrie (R-Ky.) has indicated that between $500 billion and $600 billion could come from health care programs including Medicaid. However, Republican moderates have unresolved questions about potential Medicaid policy changes ahead of next week’s planned Energy and Commerce reconciliation markup – details of which have yet to be announced. The questions surround controversial provisions, however, consensus appears to be building for provisions such Medicaid eligibility reporting requirements, eliminating retroactive coverage, prohibiting states from covering undocumented immigrants, requiring some cost-sharing for the Medicaid expansion population, penalizing states that cover undocumented immigrants under Medicaid expansion through a 10 percent reduction in their federal match, reducing the federal match for Washington D.C. and prohibiting transgender care for minors or beneficiaries. There also seems to be agreement in rescinding a controversial Biden administration nursing home staffing rule and rolling back a temporary increase in the federal match to states that adopt Medicaid expansion that was created through a 2021 COVID-19 relief law. Meanwhile, the Senate appears to be operating in its own track, with most Republicans unified only on Medicaid work requirements. White House Reveals Budget Request for FY 26 – On Friday, the White House released it’s budget request<https://lyi4jwdab.cc.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001Jv0QEMTHfJ1Jc_Uwyhr9vqBNoVp0FI_aLXbFUrtWTzsPxPESSZvPIoOeZ40tvzMoXOMEZk6kh1VJfi7CII5uTp3YKgp2s2-yT_vF-J1PXXCBBIGCy1_BBFmGn8KENWNHrb4X7G3gYQBH8ADmsVh1YFRvjjYJGYo7BLbPqy08r3rLxIrmtzgFcX0TGw9MXrIdNURoyVbLb9pq8nzC2dVv5JKPi5rYFUiyQ39hCrndQV5a1CVaQsv-veXNdXDTzAJwew63GapQzAcB32fqzHAnqaCm-SC-jYtb&c=f8vrJ0Gs1F2yStvJY4NdALR_7jBusWquotJ7xQAYFVXRuFObNIS_JA==&ch=XKQIbmqL69MxH41QYImNOUgVIFALNEy5xtCm9qBxAzkjwBbdLtx2sw==> for fiscal 2026 which seeks to cut $33.3 billion in discretionary funding for the Department of Health and Human Services, representing a 26.2 percent reduction compared to the fiscal 2025 budget. In a letter<https://lyi4jwdab.cc.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001Jv0QEMTHfJ1Jc_Uwyhr9vqBNoVp0FI_aLXbFUrtWTzsPxPESSZvPIoOeZ40tvzMoE8aw36kmQuwsKv_BmldfUcxM6KfzdEHqUnkviiI_Vgp8Rh0aRXvO7TBGdbUh8TR3QJWEJZwojiTuwyFsawdQsmTQUqHaz7i7J9fjrHuO4tcNy03vjQ7eOHSg9Yreje0T5VyeQDY2Oqx1QG-UDu3SKk4b2XGOTtFn7dM1mx7qG-xnzIrQY7qzDw19ReIj3zHFnlNpmuRVTNI=&c=f8vrJ0Gs1F2yStvJY4NdALR_7jBusWquotJ7xQAYFVXRuFObNIS_JA==&ch=XKQIbmqL69MxH41QYImNOUgVIFALNEy5xtCm9qBxAzkjwBbdLtx2sw==> addressed to Sen. Susan Collins (R-ME), Office of Management and Budget Director Russell Vought listed out the major discretionary funding changes requested by the Trump administration, including steep cuts to NIH<https://lyi4jwdab.cc.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001Jv0QEMTHfJ1Jc_Uwyhr9vqBNoVp0FI_aLXbFUrtWTzsPxPESSZvPIoOeZ40tvzMolkji7rcgk9Eil1V6XhOzaHydm8mp0yT8NCbEqXxvXNS3vRmlRC35w6NpTFqgx7UUSbp50Kjr3VJU0KdBXK6sJU1eEM3Jmdq8zFv53k9YeI6kfrAmWiT0KxxIAgdEdy5a45n9sRIXALavPFbjYtYHBZh-N0tgilInDFVAyH10MbJheUj4sa3dFJ1drFpmm7GxzalB3YS3bTw=&c=f8vrJ0Gs1F2yStvJY4NdALR_7jBusWquotJ7xQAYFVXRuFObNIS_JA==&ch=XKQIbmqL69MxH41QYImNOUgVIFALNEy5xtCm9qBxAzkjwBbdLtx2sw==>. Specifically, the budget request includes a $3.6 billion reduction in discretionary funding for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), an $18 billion reduction for the National Institutes of Health (NIH), a $674 million reduction for the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) Program Management and a $240 million reduction for Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response (ASPR) Hospital Preparedness Program. The only health program that gains discretionary funding in the proposal is HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s <https://lyi4jwdab.cc.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001Jv0QEMTHfJ1Jc_Uwyhr9vqBNoVp0FI_aLXbFUrtWTzsPxPESSZvPIoOeZ40tvzMomEbHpqrOonR2dJxdxVUE-iAfAqKxJCJZDpSyUmfUSS6iClZNbf_UZTRKYP1hnX-0eny4AWGxN4Nns2OxeZldnM-Z-8x1wm9vwzHWgBefTraqLiZ2gNhzuWe0MRdtoW5G&c=f8vrJ0Gs1F2yStvJY4NdALR_7jBusWquotJ7xQAYFVXRuFObNIS_JA==&ch=XKQIbmqL69MxH41QYImNOUgVIFALNEy5xtCm9qBxAzkjwBbdLtx2sw==> Make America Healthy Again (MAHA) Commission, for which the budget provides $500 million. Meanwhile, at the Senate Appropriations Committee's first full hearing<https://lyi4jwdab.cc.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001Jv0QEMTHfJ1Jc_Uwyhr9vqBNoVp0FI_aLXbFUrtWTzsPxPESSZvPIoOeZ40tvzMo5O0csDJo5uDyd3_waVGzww1RYYRho1yRw0E7KcfVxtKBWIkSIXp6S68LkN6508RsJxYje7kn9_bNmwOMpXThcDKAxAFg7XPrrxvShFAgLGoZ-LsTj9fHjAvpf0ZJoROUHcL7hw6MLQPl7rvHWCCXN2BL6gZ3RiG0p473T11n9sFM4ggfKVHJ28Ekm1y4aYjb&c=f8vrJ0Gs1F2yStvJY4NdALR_7jBusWquotJ7xQAYFVXRuFObNIS_JA==&ch=XKQIbmqL69MxH41QYImNOUgVIFALNEy5xtCm9qBxAzkjwBbdLtx2sw==> this Congress Wednesday, Senator Collins called on the Trump administration to reverse course on cutbacks. She cited the administration’s cap on indirect research costs, the canceling of grants and the mass firing of employees across the Health and Human Services Department. Collins’s message is a stark contrast from Republican lawmakers to the Trump administration’s health care agenda. House Committee Advances Opioid Treatment Bill – On Tuesday, the House Energy & Commerce Committee hosted a hearing<https://lyi4jwdab.cc.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001Jv0QEMTHfJ1Jc_Uwyhr9vqBNoVp0FI_aLXbFUrtWTzsPxPESSZvPIoOeZ40tvzMo0FFOYnpUkhr2wtYGQljkRnOm7eKtAgg0ne3KCkrvjgmJeDtw1Lf9n63LbzTHM1wRcWB6gMGRbaTFyvvIRYjoAPhrciN5U1haVVH1KWVy2zhkpYGGGmueB5Hu96uOudKhzVnj5G24e-M=&c=f8vrJ0Gs1F2yStvJY4NdALR_7jBusWquotJ7xQAYFVXRuFObNIS_JA==&ch=XKQIbmqL69MxH41QYImNOUgVIFALNEy5xtCm9qBxAzkjwBbdLtx2sw==> in which they advanced H.R. 2483<https://lyi4jwdab.cc.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001Jv0QEMTHfJ1Jc_Uwyhr9vqBNoVp0FI_aLXbFUrtWTzsPxPESSZvPIoOeZ40tvzMoIqKSyx1mz3sVAQTZPWinRxzcrtsxBb7sofqfassrNZZ-xY-B0JHEEV9SPHuOxfM1it4ny5vq520pcZzOui90svJbboe1zm7ObCCXeF0lr_7E9LG8ytFVc2e8EN00IaoqVYImYkK1YzSoLaZ51dThjg==&c=f8vrJ0Gs1F2yStvJY4NdALR_7jBusWquotJ7xQAYFVXRuFObNIS_JA==&ch=XKQIbmqL69MxH41QYImNOUgVIFALNEy5xtCm9qBxAzkjwBbdLtx2sw==>, the SUPPORT for Patients and Communities Reauthorization Act of 2025. The bipartisan legislation has received widespread support from over 160 vital substance use disorder treatment and recovery organizations. Specifically, the SUPPORT Act of 2025 reauthorizes key public health programs focused on prevention, treatment, and recovery for patients with substance use disorder that were established in the Substance Use-Disorder Prevention that Promotes Opioid Recovery and Treatment (SUPPORT) for Patients and Communities Act, which was signed into law in 2018. For more information on the Council's Healthcare Committee<https://lyi4jwdab.cc.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001Jv0QEMTHfJ1Jc_Uwyhr9vqBNoVp0FI_aLXbFUrtWTzsPxPESSZvPIseFBYzJZy-O5vmVQ1Det-IvzZiMV6oWxS4xyUpYVlK2TTkIX9c-MRSlkVxoeRfiWpFzdPwfNpR-10A3QwWLL9JBe9nWXGeYe49xd90Jj7YucQDhHW0payaMZrAI1RuJaPowgcvwtrvm&c=f8vrJ0Gs1F2yStvJY4NdALR_7jBusWquotJ7xQAYFVXRuFObNIS_JA==&ch=XKQIbmqL69MxH41QYImNOUgVIFALNEy5xtCm9qBxAzkjwBbdLtx2sw==>, please contact Sean Malone<mailto:smalone@newenglandcouncil.com>. Higher Education Upcoming Hearings & Markups * Wednesday, May 7, 2025 – House Committee on Education & Workforce – Hearing "Beyond the Ivy League: Stopping the Spread of Antisemitism on American Campuses" <https://lyi4jwdab.cc.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001Jv0QEMTHfJ1Jc_Uwyhr9vqBNoVp0FI_aLXbFUrtWTzsPxPESSZvPIoOeZ40tvzMouE9ozjHI4kDuc0rS9k0vJKW3UB4IqoVxcKr3vn0NCy0ItxejirpjYyzXPtq5Px2OnO_LHDlfZ47vwfxxIqcc_gQPkEmN0arwUblAogmfSPdD0C08SJxA749kU7mty-fgyKeKd5X7oHzzO0eZeRfYxxvlR-mNx5PH&c=f8vrJ0Gs1F2yStvJY4NdALR_7jBusWquotJ7xQAYFVXRuFObNIS_JA==&ch=XKQIbmqL69MxH41QYImNOUgVIFALNEy5xtCm9qBxAzkjwBbdLtx2sw==> Republicans propose major changes to Pell Grants, student loans – House Republicans recently released new proposals which would make borrowing for college more expensive and limit who can get Pell Grants. The proposed legislation would restrict access to college financial aid, lowering loan limits for parents and some students. These changes come as part of GOP plans to implement President Trump’s agenda on taxes, energy and immigration through budget reconciliation. House committees have begun crafting the legislation, with a target of $1.5 trillion in spending cuts over the next 10 years. The House Committee on Education and the Workforce has a budget reconciliation goal of saving $330 billion, and the committee’s proposed changes include placing annual and total limits on unsubsidized student loans, phasing out separate loan programs for graduate students/ parents of undergraduates, and expanding Pell Grant eligibility to short-term job-training and technical skills programs. The committee also proposed a “risk-sharing” plan which would require universities to reimburse federal government dollars for a portion of students’ unpaid loans as well as offer new grant funding as a reward to schools with higher records of graduating students into gainful employment. Education and Workforce Chairman Tim Walberg (R-MI), said in a statement, "Colleges have ridden this gravy train of taxpayer dollars without any accountability for the quality of the education they provide or whether students can find jobs when they graduate. This plan brings accountability and holds schools financially responsible for loading students up with debt." The committee plans to mark up the reconciliation next Tuesday morning (5/06). Additional information can be found here<https://lyi4jwdab.cc.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001Jv0QEMTHfJ1Jc_Uwyhr9vqBNoVp0FI_aLXbFUrtWTzsPxPESSZvPIoOeZ40tvzMo3oyaQ64ZnhEOggnApExPqCcdqZModd7LcMdVeUJqn5iBnTfSscj20h5VpveQOik0qzf36hxgkWTZcHdm9_IX9APEyCA5JIoOOpzXTzYXEcXzumxdbN6nIsi5BGkrbUJ4UhgyzvuuiSgHTm1OxSJgVXcUCBLDHPbeMRftlTy2Kzs8ggu8ecBvaA==&c=f8vrJ0Gs1F2yStvJY4NdALR_7jBusWquotJ7xQAYFVXRuFObNIS_JA==&ch=XKQIbmqL69MxH41QYImNOUgVIFALNEy5xtCm9qBxAzkjwBbdLtx2sw==>, here<https://lyi4jwdab.cc.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001Jv0QEMTHfJ1Jc_Uwyhr9vqBNoVp0FI_aLXbFUrtWTzsPxPESSZvPIoOeZ40tvzMowioy7eo4JFRgo8pkWXdnIQMkQaSsF8ECeT2FVT-zn7USMRNBYWisslEyQBxE9uxzxQnl8l-GRh-dx-4r0mHh-j_61cQhIPLnJYl6vzD65kOdOouiG4zSkJPM5Bxi2LmZr7yxOxBX_a0IBm07yzx8iaJ0phUZ11-m2gXTXDmS4pQBcMx9jonARcxWcllaoZ2piV86vleqR5UwpHpRn86QLD9A-v3hZcZGwacVdAVMP70=&c=f8vrJ0Gs1F2yStvJY4NdALR_7jBusWquotJ7xQAYFVXRuFObNIS_JA==&ch=XKQIbmqL69MxH41QYImNOUgVIFALNEy5xtCm9qBxAzkjwBbdLtx2sw==> and here<https://lyi4jwdab.cc.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001Jv0QEMTHfJ1Jc_Uwyhr9vqBNoVp0FI_aLXbFUrtWTzsPxPESSZvPIoOeZ40tvzMoxqlwo7ynUS-esBBmacPI_dY6X4rBW2AZJ2AD2ovtCebUaYK9MoWkQtdrizvzubRi9d4MZr9uwMbn9adNnAyLwNiUWqoyUwQRqkoxHHu1qYwI86DNsNSJVLzpp32RYUDbdrNEbGJ7F4lDmXoezgqz5Vutubj1fVgLiJHev37tYcanGRrzjzojwdqCA_pMyHAu7_J7Tz2jksFKH4RcwG8wAVn1AOS5CJmL&c=f8vrJ0Gs1F2yStvJY4NdALR_7jBusWquotJ7xQAYFVXRuFObNIS_JA==&ch=XKQIbmqL69MxH41QYImNOUgVIFALNEy5xtCm9qBxAzkjwBbdLtx2sw==>. ICE reverses legal status termination for many international students – On April 25th, the Trump administration abruptly restored thousands of international students’ legal status to study in the United States. This comes after colleges and universities across the country have announced at least 1,680 international students have had their statuses terminated in the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) over the past month. However, immigration officials have signaled that the Trump administration will continue to pursue efforts to terminate that legal status despite the legal challenges that have arisen. This sudden pivot came after a court hearing from lawyers representing the government in several of the individual lawsuits filed challenging the terminations. A lawyer for the plaintiff in one of the lawsuits, Brian Green, provided The Associated Press with a copy of a statement a government lawyer emailed to him regarding the restoration of legal status: “ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement) is developing a policy that will provide a framework for SEVIS record terminations. Until such a policy is issued, the SEVIS records for plaintiff(s) in this case (and other similarly situated plaintiffs) will remain Active or shall be re-activated if not currently active and ICE will not modify the record solely based on the NCIC finding that resulted in the recent SEVIS record termination.” According to Tricia McLaughlin, an assistant Homeland Security secretary, ICE has not reversed course on any visa revocation processes, but did restore SEVIS access to those who haven’t had their visas revoked. According to a senior Department of Homeland Security official, students whose legal status has been restored could still have it terminated in the future as well as their visas. A lot of uncertainty still remains over whether ICE will restore status to everyone targeted as well as whether the State Department will help students whose visas were wrongly revoked. Additional information can be found here<https://lyi4jwdab.cc.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001Jv0QEMTHfJ1Jc_Uwyhr9vqBNoVp0FI_aLXbFUrtWTzsPxPESSZvPIoOeZ40tvzMoYTazAR6OlpEZKQWSiAs9N8bioBaKns3Ruda_e6nXCzj9OCIYgnE6WFB40eTOKqBeIsmpY4bgb66_DKPE5gOZDMG8jnTLALamG5YO5_hJ1JUeIBmKxjuFZaRquiDp-OlmsvZcsJ4h7MzESUaIJxCfAgVFw-kTB7P-L3FGVmroDvW3bqFeqAoL0g==&c=f8vrJ0Gs1F2yStvJY4NdALR_7jBusWquotJ7xQAYFVXRuFObNIS_JA==&ch=XKQIbmqL69MxH41QYImNOUgVIFALNEy5xtCm9qBxAzkjwBbdLtx2sw==>, here<https://lyi4jwdab.cc.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001Jv0QEMTHfJ1Jc_Uwyhr9vqBNoVp0FI_aLXbFUrtWTzsPxPESSZvPIoOeZ40tvzModliGcci7qG-cPe6JmQpi0MAhYNWElSE7-0PdxpEsv12Z7HzNtEGz9crK3tqRfT_NxaYfqNEkhG3VRacb04BSpj0XWgrR-5l9D_catB_EtSlYz68KVK9LyOfXaxHO7jC4ds5Pzd0L2LVQW2SmX3LLBwT9d42yXhiQpBpTzyOm3QbgJwW5LyZ9dEUWrt13iVlm&c=f8vrJ0Gs1F2yStvJY4NdALR_7jBusWquotJ7xQAYFVXRuFObNIS_JA==&ch=XKQIbmqL69MxH41QYImNOUgVIFALNEy5xtCm9qBxAzkjwBbdLtx2sw==> and here<https://lyi4jwdab.cc.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001Jv0QEMTHfJ1Jc_Uwyhr9vqBNoVp0FI_aLXbFUrtWTzsPxPESSZvPIoOeZ40tvzModP9bxmDHwQsUZJ_qFys970GQVS98yfUHF3VTYSH__N6khgYyIza8eUcMvoK0e8jw75XRV8IZDG5xQ7P2IjAh1RAlQ1tmlIOTV2AdM2WHlmMYw4sDBUivpPpWYRXBx_oSJCkx02h5axHKCrN40k_YPeOygepJzxLnbC0dBtKCq_XFfNdqop3zLffVWP0rwM2kG3jr4Ssag4Pfk41u-ki3VBBXDNMZ2G-KiBywEWBUMwo=&c=f8vrJ0Gs1F2yStvJY4NdALR_7jBusWquotJ7xQAYFVXRuFObNIS_JA==&ch=XKQIbmqL69MxH41QYImNOUgVIFALNEy5xtCm9qBxAzkjwBbdLtx2sw==>. For more information on the Council's Higher Education Committee<https://lyi4jwdab.cc.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001Jv0QEMTHfJ1Jc_Uwyhr9vqBNoVp0FI_aLXbFUrtWTzsPxPESSZvPIseFBYzJZy-OkE1FZbl2iuiC7SIu_Dqd8AyBxf2yWNyS-E12UWnTZnWJI7q88_kb3G6eiPOy_cPUTtdfNm7a4UAzfhIFRTreG6PGUd-WFC4oqvrKWuEbxhAjzMEohQLd96wZZ1mD_bMEBtsiunpRwhc=&c=f8vrJ0Gs1F2yStvJY4NdALR_7jBusWquotJ7xQAYFVXRuFObNIS_JA==&ch=XKQIbmqL69MxH41QYImNOUgVIFALNEy5xtCm9qBxAzkjwBbdLtx2sw==>, please contact Mariah Healy<mailto:mhealy@newenglandcouncil.com>. Housing Upcoming Hearings & Markups * Wednesday, May 14, 2025 – House Committee on Financial Services – Hearing: Exploring Alternatives to Traditional Stick-Built Homes<https://lyi4jwdab.cc.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001Jv0QEMTHfJ1Jc_Uwyhr9vqBNoVp0FI_aLXbFUrtWTzsPxPESSZvPIoOeZ40tvzMoBDRkx-yKU5KJE3p6R8zbfwc2w-yCPMIk_UhfLctfWlIwPYMGZNYxQBi0ZrkKOJbOrbYJVAtLstcxsiZlYOU-SndWWv1dk-55T1yVJ44gyTqGnpk3mW-an3WoNlL6pJHRbc8QWeCmCzMcaSnyX8KCplGhEx1ZISxiYA24PvUqpjo=&c=f8vrJ0Gs1F2yStvJY4NdALR_7jBusWquotJ7xQAYFVXRuFObNIS_JA==&ch=XKQIbmqL69MxH41QYImNOUgVIFALNEy5xtCm9qBxAzkjwBbdLtx2sw==> Bipartisan bill aimed at first-time homebuyers reintroduced in the Senate- On Tuesday, April 29, Senators Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NE) and Bill Cassidy (R-LA) introduced a bill aimed at expanding housing affordability for first-time homebuyers. The “Affordable Housing Bond Enhancement Act,” which was originally introduced in 2023, has been reintroduced in the Senate. The main focus of the legislation is the expansion of two federal programs: the Mortgage Revenue Bond (MRB) and Mortgage Credit Certificates (MCC). The MRB program assists prospective homebuyers who are at an area’s median income (AMI) range, but don’t have enough money to meet costs related to down payment and closing. The program grants mortgage loans with interest rates below market. The MCC is a tax credit program in which homebuyers are granted certificates issued by housing finance agencies that increase federal tax benefits of owning a home. The program helps low and moderate income, first-time homebuyers to offset some of their mortgage interest. The “Affordable Housing Bond Enhancement Act” calls for simplifying the administration of both programs and making changes which would allow working families to take better advantage of the initiatives. “Buying a home is increasingly out of reach for first-time buyers. This addresses that issue. By giving them a boost, we get them on the ladder of homeownership,” said Sen. Cassidy regarding the bill. Read more here<https://lyi4jwdab.cc.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001Jv0QEMTHfJ1Jc_Uwyhr9vqBNoVp0FI_aLXbFUrtWTzsPxPESSZvPIoOeZ40tvzMoEqr5uQQ4WQj4hkBdcQJ_VsDodu-huAxM5I_unJVEsJPU5yJ9WFP6IFPE7e4S0EGPI5qAgE_hRV2dXk8bBqqVkOYXOsP7W43otCXuZaHxRM56nt5_mLA1ocC9ebXJpFp4oXeM1p76aQz6cjafNJDk9zES-xBY5NrwVHOGhUFvgYWW5P5eiUi3jA==&c=f8vrJ0Gs1F2yStvJY4NdALR_7jBusWquotJ7xQAYFVXRuFObNIS_JA==&ch=XKQIbmqL69MxH41QYImNOUgVIFALNEy5xtCm9qBxAzkjwBbdLtx2sw==> and here<https://lyi4jwdab.cc.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001Jv0QEMTHfJ1Jc_Uwyhr9vqBNoVp0FI_aLXbFUrtWTzsPxPESSZvPIoOeZ40tvzMoDwonE4SOM7FsHun4AhwotmAIZFcCiILVrKLiiJDHTA4yZMPfXwiPclObVxHrsGtYA3vgJi3f098Md4mEmO6dhDiaGOVkafv0xiGxJ-PJESx0cIAfipR0kUhbcBHNpAUPnF7NekM4tGwLpVnjzk9pAu7LjjjDLMVkJMZuZVj_a_cYWmxnotyhhXU9ZwSqcEBh1z5yo65aKptj-_ny7dWo-VCpcrKC5eHH0kIHYYHE8RYo92FfEdCP17OsNXY1DSeq_seg0I_nvnuGWTK64idj8Q==&c=f8vrJ0Gs1F2yStvJY4NdALR_7jBusWquotJ7xQAYFVXRuFObNIS_JA==&ch=XKQIbmqL69MxH41QYImNOUgVIFALNEy5xtCm9qBxAzkjwBbdLtx2sw==>. For more information on the Council's Housing Working Group<https://lyi4jwdab.cc.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001Jv0QEMTHfJ1Jc_Uwyhr9vqBNoVp0FI_aLXbFUrtWTzsPxPESSZvPIiRnqkAvjqIKD0jUe-tX0vRJuCK2tyI34dzzDQUBXVhfvwv8VA3S7vwIj5MP51jSYsrIKnISmDGPfKKYpTGzMaKuo7_SPzOAPTdU-cY04qKpd-MvckQnkMyTJGhnZr1fT5rl_jm62sMp&c=f8vrJ0Gs1F2yStvJY4NdALR_7jBusWquotJ7xQAYFVXRuFObNIS_JA==&ch=XKQIbmqL69MxH41QYImNOUgVIFALNEy5xtCm9qBxAzkjwBbdLtx2sw==>, please contact Emily Heisig<mailto:eheisig@newenglandcouncil.com>. Technology & Innovation Upcoming Hearings & Markups * Wednesday May 7, 2025 – House Committee on Science Space and Technology Full Committee Hearing “From Policy to Progress: How the National Quantum Initiative Shapes U.S. Quantum Technology Leadership” <https://lyi4jwdab.cc.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001Jv0QEMTHfJ1Jc_Uwyhr9vqBNoVp0FI_aLXbFUrtWTzsPxPESSZvPIoOeZ40tvzMod12_ciKkZSTAE_dRC5J3PkPkKpx1OYUEMVXXriV85tH0TalBJTo2Uh0eMlZWHTYTs_0MoncXWvaZN5IwQxHh9onXdSmtvDN2TwmdsY7WGQwYbsJcDdpquglOeo3bsNnVcxksyNQxj93clHUJgt-2WoGJceGxCqqSvYs1iZePnSERcukby9LUKcg4RCMq-f4SBdPVX7RllhsD3rqvzNZBmh2kE8xaV1bCD69uENm0Ifk=&c=f8vrJ0Gs1F2yStvJY4NdALR_7jBusWquotJ7xQAYFVXRuFObNIS_JA==&ch=XKQIbmqL69MxH41QYImNOUgVIFALNEy5xtCm9qBxAzkjwBbdLtx2sw==> * Thursday May 8, 2025 – Senate Commerce Committee Full Committee Hearing “Winning the AI Race: Strengthening U.S. Capabilities in Computing and Innovation” <https://lyi4jwdab.cc.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001Jv0QEMTHfJ1Jc_Uwyhr9vqBNoVp0FI_aLXbFUrtWTzsPxPESSZvPIoOeZ40tvzMo83d15lLt4ZWSOK1NC9hY8rJjjN8zGz7KvHDGOow484eHqa15L6hszRoF2eDl6FxIBEqtwOhnJueYA-FztOSrXILvDupqpNtSKqU7lU2nkjg_bINfXM9DuU9VZ31EqDU3fu2D8voUTYhaFmxZXHCtdDAiLE49LM9lJTBzuMpox2UVhhC5t07d33YRgRMxreXwbV9W5k5LkyjJ9TQ9ClKChhZR3cThnViQ&c=f8vrJ0Gs1F2yStvJY4NdALR_7jBusWquotJ7xQAYFVXRuFObNIS_JA==&ch=XKQIbmqL69MxH41QYImNOUgVIFALNEy5xtCm9qBxAzkjwBbdLtx2sw==> White House Office of Science and Technology Policy Published 10,000 Received Comments on AI— Late last month the White House Office of Science and Technology published the comments that it received in response to “its request for information on the development of a new national AI Action Plan” which resulted in about 10,000 comments being submitted. This particular Request for Information “asked for input on elements that the forthcoming AI Action Plan should include, particularly the ways it which it can help remove barriers to American leadership in AI technology development and deployment.” Many of the comments in response, across all different sectors, highlighted the importance of “enabling open-source software regimes.” In this context opensource software means “allows original source code to be manipulated and used for other software tools and offers greater transparency into the software’s inputs — such as training data, parameters and model weights — and how they work together.” The argument is that as AI rapidly continues to evolve, having the technology be opensource with both allow for any vulnerabilities to be highlighted but also allow for a flow of knowledge in the sector and allow for “under-resourced developers and entities the chance to gain experience and build tools with AI.” The MIT Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence Lab weighed in stating that “we should maintain the healthy mix of open source and proprietary licensing modes for AI models, data and underlying software,” and highlighted that “neither open nor closed-source licensing will prevent software-based AI algorithms or other expertise from falling into the hands of determined, well-resourced adversaries.” Other groups that weighed in were the Federation of American Scientists, IBM, MITRE, and many more. Additional information can be found here<https://lyi4jwdab.cc.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001Jv0QEMTHfJ1Jc_Uwyhr9vqBNoVp0FI_aLXbFUrtWTzsPxPESSZvPIoOeZ40tvzMoeRU4IjJatDizCdUjjb_6lpH5znrxnnqpWI3fNuc4PFlWuzdyfd2mA8nQ_qQRUWcfFxRYNt84PyEx6tfBwf03-e00Oo-2_p0uLiHMVO0lcbncaY1oSLv_kdZm2zu2HHoiRIaKx61LGJ6O0XZC5IFBSjnBEc1pUErtI7rpa3K0AKSjj2qRt9ZlZ52-DyBFz19uvOCX8PNTijH-xUQZ6RMQ_MpwAaJZn_1iTxHnhQIIyCm809xvHcGH4CjPEKmW5dPVyQLnp0lhzxoWypLtdZYQDyhP5B_UMq6w7ezW__N9U0K71-kkjP3LKg==&c=f8vrJ0Gs1F2yStvJY4NdALR_7jBusWquotJ7xQAYFVXRuFObNIS_JA==&ch=XKQIbmqL69MxH41QYImNOUgVIFALNEy5xtCm9qBxAzkjwBbdLtx2sw==>. For more information on the Council's Technology & Innovation Working Group<https://lyi4jwdab.cc.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001Jv0QEMTHfJ1Jc_Uwyhr9vqBNoVp0FI_aLXbFUrtWTzsPxPESSZvPIvdMtfJbMg8IHpgg_b6XlLXdUvnrqJPwyslGsRrRDkAqtINui9zOGXUtOCLP5ILbrXYm3Sfz0CnUBnY-5C8wu4rVnh7-gtIU7tA4pLCrDv6x4qDoDg0mJttT-EZRqd8_-WzBJ1Ey2cgeKBhP43Hmb9zTDcIXq2Bk3A==&c=f8vrJ0Gs1F2yStvJY4NdALR_7jBusWquotJ7xQAYFVXRuFObNIS_JA==&ch=XKQIbmqL69MxH41QYImNOUgVIFALNEy5xtCm9qBxAzkjwBbdLtx2sw==>, please contact Mariah Healy<mailto:mhealy@newenglandcouncil.com>. Trade Senate Defeats Measure to End Emergency Tariff Declaration – On Wednesday, The U.S. Senate voted 50 to 49 to turn back a joint resolution that would seek to end the emergency declaration issued by President Trump to justify the leveling of tariffs on the many and varied trading partners of the United States. Introduced by Senate Finance Committee Ranking Member Ron Wyden (D-OR) and Senator Rand Paul (R-KY), the measure (S.J.Res. 49), was also co-sponsored by New England Senators Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Peter Welch (D-VT), and Elizabeth Warren (D-MA). Prior to the vote, the White House issued a Statement of Administration Policy (SAP) – or veto threat – against S.J.Res. 49. This SAP pointed out that at the beginning of April, the President issued an Executive Order indicating that under the powers of the National Emergencies Act and the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA), there existed “extraordinary threats to national security and economic stability” due to ongoing trade deficits. As such, the President determined that tariffs on a sliding scale should be levied. On April 9, the President paused the implementation of most tariffs for a 90-day period. The vote on the measure was deadlocked at 49 to 49, requiring Vice President J.D. Vance – in his capacity as the President of the Senate – to cast the tiebreaking vote to torpedo the measure. Two senators who were presumed to vote in favor of the resolution – Mitch McConnell (R-KY) and Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) – were not available for the vote. Senator Whitehouse was traveling back from South Korea where he was attending a world forum on oceans and climate. Even if the Senate had passed S.J.Res. 49, the resolution was not expected to be considered in the House of Representatives. If by chance the House did pass the resolution, the President would veto it and it would be unlikely that either chamber would be able to muster the two-thirds vote needed to override. Additional information can be found here<https://lyi4jwdab.cc.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001Jv0QEMTHfJ1Jc_Uwyhr9vqBNoVp0FI_aLXbFUrtWTzsPxPESSZvPIoOeZ40tvzMoxYCdTxrM1Ue_UvNcPxoxbFGuxkNQiHar6vXmsknfjcmSk9klaVr_pCKugAylKEdUO_0vkZLo9iTEe4tNFCoGwPeYPkYPiD_z2YEe_0DCfRDlhm7-e6ixWB7ZYyvE97BBqH5cqXeGSkRBJKijGn1XvqkbckMI9QA_53NPUXYoJ4zQpXtJwob_bA==&c=f8vrJ0Gs1F2yStvJY4NdALR_7jBusWquotJ7xQAYFVXRuFObNIS_JA==&ch=XKQIbmqL69MxH41QYImNOUgVIFALNEy5xtCm9qBxAzkjwBbdLtx2sw==>, here<https://lyi4jwdab.cc.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001Jv0QEMTHfJ1Jc_Uwyhr9vqBNoVp0FI_aLXbFUrtWTzsPxPESSZvPIoOeZ40tvzMo_B00MPD5TyqxUikPI31e8j1MGqIGozFbtDtLiVm1vs_K8KHx8KjUXy1NdooLC-Eh8kxezmLwzp3iHn-t6rvjPm8fCN7AKGzlyFFy1tuutIH97Ae7JT05tYL9A4I9BdOKmee9AFh_xKl-bWzT8D9kOw==&c=f8vrJ0Gs1F2yStvJY4NdALR_7jBusWquotJ7xQAYFVXRuFObNIS_JA==&ch=XKQIbmqL69MxH41QYImNOUgVIFALNEy5xtCm9qBxAzkjwBbdLtx2sw==>, and here<https://lyi4jwdab.cc.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001Jv0QEMTHfJ1Jc_Uwyhr9vqBNoVp0FI_aLXbFUrtWTzsPxPESSZvPIoOeZ40tvzMozs5uJHfD9k3vZ6sEkqCTx5gNqV3TqO6BZI5GIIrqy6FcoHVTmdI-vnqSAkEbGpXgUJFweANvJ3SIy_N_pFP7QiW-aOYCNt_hLcn6KK0Uq-zHVUveCa_zh7p1Zxw8g_ZpWbmUht4cGXU=&c=f8vrJ0Gs1F2yStvJY4NdALR_7jBusWquotJ7xQAYFVXRuFObNIS_JA==&ch=XKQIbmqL69MxH41QYImNOUgVIFALNEy5xtCm9qBxAzkjwBbdLtx2sw==>. House Passes Bill to Step-Up Focus on Critical Supply Chains – On Monday evening, the House of Representatives adopted legislation that will require the Assistant Secretary for Industry and Analysis at the Department of Commerce to add to their portfolio the promotion of “the stability and resilience of critical supply chains, and critical and emerging technologies.” The bill, the Promoting Resilient Supply Chains Act (H.R. 2444), was adopted by voice vote. As passed, the bill also requires the establishment of a Critical Supply Chain Resilience Working Group, which is meant to encourage “the growth and competitiveness of U.S. productive capacities and manufacturing in the U.S. of emerging technologies.” Other items to be added to the Assistant Secretary’s portfolio include “assessing the resilience, diversity, and strength of critical supply chains and critical industries; supporting the availability of critical goods and manufacturing operations in the U.S.; assisting the Federal Government in preparing for and responding to supply chain shocks; reduce reliance on foreign adversaries for critical goods; and word to assist American manufacturing.” The Assistant Secretary is to report to Congress within one year on the progress of their new undertakings. With the action taken by the House, the bill now goes to the Senate for further consideration. Additional information can be found here<https://lyi4jwdab.cc.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001Jv0QEMTHfJ1Jc_Uwyhr9vqBNoVp0FI_aLXbFUrtWTzsPxPESSZvPIoOeZ40tvzMopkcSsOC46ZZs2B_a-nQ6lDeLIesHy0l83_oXUoVQkgj9oJzLMn1Jw4gcEzVIJXFvLfV7oOTQc8A4US5yYDVMFG8JXOLTD8qJEKuzzP4bEwf5S3a-ecXAog0ep-9a44I2yiALnQUpSqX3yDwseHP3Kg==&c=f8vrJ0Gs1F2yStvJY4NdALR_7jBusWquotJ7xQAYFVXRuFObNIS_JA==&ch=XKQIbmqL69MxH41QYImNOUgVIFALNEy5xtCm9qBxAzkjwBbdLtx2sw==> and here<https://lyi4jwdab.cc.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001Jv0QEMTHfJ1Jc_Uwyhr9vqBNoVp0FI_aLXbFUrtWTzsPxPESSZvPIoOeZ40tvzMoS2s43cHSsEbB1oKxlLtyCZYG55nv-T-6euPhtQTtKgwomETl3bWuiupAVp22mpPZwwJ6NoSlYZS0WjlVsBuvDqvutYi6KJWTyDFPqu5bkNh-jG0-xoN5lodlLbgmRoG_qLo810Jt_qIqMVFp7Vq3Gknb-fxbev-sYoqDYmQDJKVL4rvOGkiDX75xPqaTipxDQliADrqQzTY=&c=f8vrJ0Gs1F2yStvJY4NdALR_7jBusWquotJ7xQAYFVXRuFObNIS_JA==&ch=XKQIbmqL69MxH41QYImNOUgVIFALNEy5xtCm9qBxAzkjwBbdLtx2sw==>. White House Modifies Tariffs on Auto Parts – On Tuesday, President Donald Trump issued an Executive Order that modified his existing policy related to the imposition of new tariffs on certain autos and auto parts. Under the new plan, tariffs of 25 percent still would be levied on imports of automobiles and auto parts, however, to avoid a “double tariff,” they would not be implemented on steel and aluminum used in these products and for certain related products that are made in Canada or Mexico. This particular tariff policy would remain in effect for two years and would be used to incentivize auto and auto parts manufacturers to locate their production in the United States. Additional information can be found here<https://lyi4jwdab.cc.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001Jv0QEMTHfJ1Jc_Uwyhr9vqBNoVp0FI_aLXbFUrtWTzsPxPESSZvPIoOeZ40tvzMon7xLR45ByA6tMY0i5WkqHDJi9R_ugNFmH21tViPPxSrgJ4pcPBaYSESZGsvk_7scVJjOYiAPhleMSMcCfEtUO_dNwP3eb47R2wIK5sy1SEjm5UEwfXdH4dmfQl68dvZUzr1JvuHtkw_lrrnOhosvVRb_MM_eGafuvieoSw9EH3Srq0AMc7KE_EWq6mR1mMRdZOBHTJjmiF0=&c=f8vrJ0Gs1F2yStvJY4NdALR_7jBusWquotJ7xQAYFVXRuFObNIS_JA==&ch=XKQIbmqL69MxH41QYImNOUgVIFALNEy5xtCm9qBxAzkjwBbdLtx2sw==>. Senate Committee Approves Nomination of Trade Official – On Tuesday, the Senate Finance Committee voted 14 to 13 along party lines to approve the nomination of William Kimmitt to be Under Secretary of Commerce for International Trade. At Tuesday’s markup, Committee Chairman Mike Crapo (R-ID) noted that during his nomination hearing, “Mr. Kimmitt spoke about his mission to ensure the International Trade Administration (ITA) is a champion for American workers and industries, and to promote a trade policy that is guided by a strategic understanding of our national interest.” He added that if Mr. Kimmitt is confirmed by the full Senate, he would “look forward to working with him…to accomplish these goals.” Conversely, the Committee’s Ranking Member, Senator Ron Wyden (D-OR) blasted the Trump Administration’s overall trade and economic policy, stating that “no temporary pause on tariffs changes the fact that {President] Trump has started a trade war on a scale we haven’t seen in a century.” He went on to say that the President “has pushed the Commerce Department front and center to the trade and tariff debate.” He went on to say that “Mr. Kimmitt has been at the Commerce Department for a while now [and] if confirmed, he will be a key player in implementing Trump’s disastrous trade agenda.” With the action by the Committee, the nomination now goes to the full Senate for further consideration. Additional information can be found here<https://lyi4jwdab.cc.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001Jv0QEMTHfJ1Jc_Uwyhr9vqBNoVp0FI_aLXbFUrtWTzsPxPESSZvPIoOeZ40tvzMo5-U2H31XsZA3MZkTlOKJ1NEzMxZwR7M9hPuXVpHgkLoOh8GktTOm2hMYI31HlYqFZWBYSSH5djCq_EwwP1rXmDVJ3swBIQRWoPK1CQGWij4Ial2QwUr5LbukraOGssHsh95D0ArRO4dKTKcH2WnPXu9x4UFOs4ZH0AgGafIqqzQ2k2wLOxMa8_f8IYFNvG_E2KyZt8ZgeQnD154pKvcCWt8Eah4cqMqhhmcp83Wl62M=&c=f8vrJ0Gs1F2yStvJY4NdALR_7jBusWquotJ7xQAYFVXRuFObNIS_JA==&ch=XKQIbmqL69MxH41QYImNOUgVIFALNEy5xtCm9qBxAzkjwBbdLtx2sw==>, here<https://lyi4jwdab.cc.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001Jv0QEMTHfJ1Jc_Uwyhr9vqBNoVp0FI_aLXbFUrtWTzsPxPESSZvPIoOeZ40tvzMoZQ7dmcb4pbDhKTIQZNtJXVHa78Y9_bQPaogy4LKK6P31gnM7FtsY4JvErcnX87dt7QiGYs2Oe-KYmQbrpttfBth1zwqlOuV_R8ZPbZrVLeuucOoTYJyERkF_Xdc70sNzmxs4GoKnCooifqwJyflyQLeJhpifRYuDLbr7L95V7lg51He8eUbnlYWn-GCEfqp902CCkGqbFmceuBIomMHXcqeAHQLrduG0aCwdS9fp-pk=&c=f8vrJ0Gs1F2yStvJY4NdALR_7jBusWquotJ7xQAYFVXRuFObNIS_JA==&ch=XKQIbmqL69MxH41QYImNOUgVIFALNEy5xtCm9qBxAzkjwBbdLtx2sw==>, and here<https://lyi4jwdab.cc.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001Jv0QEMTHfJ1Jc_Uwyhr9vqBNoVp0FI_aLXbFUrtWTzsPxPESSZvPIoOeZ40tvzMotT2IfpRcSN_2PZHCQib1w8TFdshuO6ePIEDI916MkXmXu-jFbr2y-xMWMsxBHeH1rKLDnO-_eV9P5FV8PG_7C44k6VcQJMBvHaJ2V2XZgErpBi3PL5uh1PIrFRaGjfa2WQSNI2sHhRa_21MF_2j2kOSES45QEKzq3kqBMcs82hpmWM_ns0BkAbS63l_E4ZM2k4SPUlWzTUito70BDzV-jRpc083VxM0R&c=f8vrJ0Gs1F2yStvJY4NdALR_7jBusWquotJ7xQAYFVXRuFObNIS_JA==&ch=XKQIbmqL69MxH41QYImNOUgVIFALNEy5xtCm9qBxAzkjwBbdLtx2sw==>. For more information on the Council's Trade Working Group<https://lyi4jwdab.cc.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001Jv0QEMTHfJ1Jc_Uwyhr9vqBNoVp0FI_aLXbFUrtWTzsPxPESSZvPIseFBYzJZy-OclvdD9JBQFCmUNvsCi33PnvUF-_h7M_qx-u3S__b8v2ONuE5EeVARKx_9-oz67U2RuMT4-Y2Yybvl9frg1xiS4UjXCdAJIIHzsY2rS2TRg8PKSnHbLs3Hg==&c=f8vrJ0Gs1F2yStvJY4NdALR_7jBusWquotJ7xQAYFVXRuFObNIS_JA==&ch=XKQIbmqL69MxH41QYImNOUgVIFALNEy5xtCm9qBxAzkjwBbdLtx2sw==>, please contact Peter Phipps<mailto:pphipps@newenglandcouncil.com>. Transportation & Infrastructure House Passes Bill to Study Ways to Strengthen Critical Infrastructure – On Monday evening, the House of Representatives adopted legislation that will require the Department of Commerce (DoC) to issue a study designed to determine how best to increase the manufacture of critical infrastructure in the United States. The bill, the Critical Infrastructure Manufacturing Feasibility Act (H.R. 1721), was adopted by voice vote. As passed, the bill requires the Secretary of Commerce to “identify, within each critical infrastructure sector, any product that is in high demand and is being imported due to a manufacturing, material, or supply chain constraint in the U.S.” The Secretary is also required to look at the cost and benefits of manufacturing such products domestically as well as the feasibility of doing so with a focus on rural areas, industrial parks, or both. The Secretary is responsible for submitting a report to Congress within 18 months. A similar bill was passed in the previous Congress, but no final action on that measure was ever taken. With the action taken by the House, the bill now goes to the Senate for further consideration. Additional information can be found here <https://lyi4jwdab.cc.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001Jv0QEMTHfJ1Jc_Uwyhr9vqBNoVp0FI_aLXbFUrtWTzsPxPESSZvPIoOeZ40tvzMolyyTZt_5HFgoxo5hgB23Gaw1Me5bcGuibS11V4DAvY_9YmI7vQoqYl71dCjvhIGnEJZ2w5oUYTeEfywII5_1CpOBbtVHCQrjDr57NDA5AaixOimXbWhdWiHDjryCPtkSOmeOPmeEkXJneECVrozClw==&c=f8vrJ0Gs1F2yStvJY4NdALR_7jBusWquotJ7xQAYFVXRuFObNIS_JA==&ch=XKQIbmqL69MxH41QYImNOUgVIFALNEy5xtCm9qBxAzkjwBbdLtx2sw==> and here<https://lyi4jwdab.cc.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001Jv0QEMTHfJ1Jc_Uwyhr9vqBNoVp0FI_aLXbFUrtWTzsPxPESSZvPIoOeZ40tvzMohs_vT7Neincr3VevysBBlDINBEaWd7T0ofH2YJgjvrl1TI_CwgY5i3Sxnuk3WL7WnVQb_e3laTg4pHpfRThT3QSdJsLRq5zxZyyJqi_7Zu-of-sGiPFVeWfqZmkC2T2CbpdDlS_fK5lmXDGHvexK9UsN1AZGvutbCMzGApUa2r4L1iB2syXSLc4pvycWESB1k3THPUAhMV8=&c=f8vrJ0Gs1F2yStvJY4NdALR_7jBusWquotJ7xQAYFVXRuFObNIS_JA==&ch=XKQIbmqL69MxH41QYImNOUgVIFALNEy5xtCm9qBxAzkjwBbdLtx2sw==>. Senate Committee Holds Hearing on Water Infrastructure – On Wednesday, the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee held a hearing to discuss the ways in which the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) was delivering outcomes related to water infrastructure. The hearing was a preliminary effort in the move “to craft bipartisan legislation to reauthorize water infrastructure programs ahead of their expiration next year.” In her opening statement, Committee Chairwoman Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV) said that the IIJA “represented the largest federal investment in water infrastructure in our nation’s history, delivering more than $50 billion for drinking water, wastewater, and stormwater programs.” This funding has allowed thousands of new projects, “including projects to upgrade treatment plants, replace aging systems, and support the needs of our small communities.” In crafting a reauthorization bill, she indicated that the Committee should “first…seek to simplify the delivery mechanisms for water infrastructure funding [and] second, our reauthorization should reinforce what works, including honoring the foundational principle of cooperative federalism.” Senator Capito went on to say that her “third guiding principle is that a successful bill and implementation of EPA’s water programs must be focused on outcomes.” She added that “enacting policies that are consistently driven by successful outcomes will help ensure that every American, no matter where they live, can count on the basic services they deserve.” The Committee will no doubt hold additional hearings on this issue in the months ahead. Additional information can be found here<https://lyi4jwdab.cc.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001Jv0QEMTHfJ1Jc_Uwyhr9vqBNoVp0FI_aLXbFUrtWTzsPxPESSZvPIoOeZ40tvzMoiBJ08btgayA8IQSfAGLdeBeX7qo3UHVOzF025XX7PnpzjClQpJeoACGzv2N6l9ItLhNyUs6j71ge0QzJz23mhezAQOeb65X_pVvrrtZbmocQv1pA8TcqXoBUwy6oJ5p3syVcy8uxsMK9ZuHfbZXIbnKLviuN-RJLfxZSqExsPq0wO2bXZtNiCUEij031gHYj&c=f8vrJ0Gs1F2yStvJY4NdALR_7jBusWquotJ7xQAYFVXRuFObNIS_JA==&ch=XKQIbmqL69MxH41QYImNOUgVIFALNEy5xtCm9qBxAzkjwBbdLtx2sw==> and here<https://lyi4jwdab.cc.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001Jv0QEMTHfJ1Jc_Uwyhr9vqBNoVp0FI_aLXbFUrtWTzsPxPESSZvPIoOeZ40tvzMoT61lNBit9jAUSfjlJBq5dMIAkKCyHSd0S7GFOrqgkNPeDunqKjeb00-ChqXglxOJGNw9QFAPrfItsO5ZNdEnxkmXMnOrPu_Wbw3oUW_LPONqZMIaSTdzkrYDflePx3v6KVIVlxitU_MIr3Yblv7o9RrrsK0LnyLE5RFmG7RkMiiyvks1wM_yRm1FKVASL-j5vHkMYN0sCHKPttVraaKmBA==&c=f8vrJ0Gs1F2yStvJY4NdALR_7jBusWquotJ7xQAYFVXRuFObNIS_JA==&ch=XKQIbmqL69MxH41QYImNOUgVIFALNEy5xtCm9qBxAzkjwBbdLtx2sw==>. House Subcommittee Holds Hearing on Highway Trust Fund – On Tuesday, the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee’s Subcommittee on Highways and Transit held a hearing as part of the Committee’s “America Builds” series to discuss the solvency and long-term management of the Highway Trust Fund (HTF) as solutions are sought to pay for the reauthorization of the nation’s surface transportation programs and policies. In this hearing, Subcommittee Chairman, Representative David Rouzer (R-NC), stated that “Congress created the Highway Trust Fund in 1956 to provide a dedicated federal revenue source, based on a user-pays model, for the construction of the Interstate Highway System.” He further noted that the “gas tax” has remained “flat” since 1993 and that beginning in 2001, “spending from the Highway Trust Fund has exceeded its revenues” while “Congress has transferred a total of $275 billion from Treasury’s General Fund to the Highway Trust Fund since 2008.” Chairman Rouzer stated that one way to begin to provide more funding to the HTF was a proposal that he would include in reconciliation to initiate a fee on electric vehicle (EV) operators to cover the wear-and-tear they impose on the nation’s highways. Additional information can be found here<https://lyi4jwdab.cc.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001Jv0QEMTHfJ1Jc_Uwyhr9vqBNoVp0FI_aLXbFUrtWTzsPxPESSZvPIoOeZ40tvzMoB0SFFssAoMxkoMRCT1AJzKUwji1e8KmJo4PZj12aWJP8ubGojrS7kJDd79gA2xvWSD9T9OByUIekZvrGyMIrJV_96qb7Zndj6JMPNqesAcRVmIoS6xhISrmLTTNxxNOFyyuNnTAaJVL06ysy7mAwXNDaoRlfPyzE&c=f8vrJ0Gs1F2yStvJY4NdALR_7jBusWquotJ7xQAYFVXRuFObNIS_JA==&ch=XKQIbmqL69MxH41QYImNOUgVIFALNEy5xtCm9qBxAzkjwBbdLtx2sw==> and here<https://lyi4jwdab.cc.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001Jv0QEMTHfJ1Jc_Uwyhr9vqBNoVp0FI_aLXbFUrtWTzsPxPESSZvPIoOeZ40tvzMoF72H2oyDIvtTCBz0Ecyo0-QvAiL0EqoY2Yb6BWBxpgnZyv4mBcKaSYhoUYieaODgZ4X43svz4ByLppElohvrN_ZqSKIhj1Nc5lTE_mLQ2Vmf3MKrP0KKbAvYshPRR1KKoepjvTxJCIfB1DIM8DCSSe91JLe4mTh4&c=f8vrJ0Gs1F2yStvJY4NdALR_7jBusWquotJ7xQAYFVXRuFObNIS_JA==&ch=XKQIbmqL69MxH41QYImNOUgVIFALNEy5xtCm9qBxAzkjwBbdLtx2sw==>. For more information on the Council's Transportation & Infrastructure Committee<https://lyi4jwdab.cc.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001Jv0QEMTHfJ1Jc_Uwyhr9vqBNoVp0FI_aLXbFUrtWTzsPxPESSZvPIlEUY8CG3Y49Crb6IoOjXeof38pW7PQbAOTaAsQHjJ0rLLvd-dFvTMveSQyM6ha-SnRD-WeMHrnhphy-8Eb3th0upRFCxMW63FyHueyONgr8MsTWpyufY01jQ2Y4ghCZzsflLzWWZ4ry&c=f8vrJ0Gs1F2yStvJY4NdALR_7jBusWquotJ7xQAYFVXRuFObNIS_JA==&ch=XKQIbmqL69MxH41QYImNOUgVIFALNEy5xtCm9qBxAzkjwBbdLtx2sw==>, please contact Peter Phipps<mailto:pphipps@newenglandcouncil.com>.       [https://files.constantcontact.com/b03af9ce001/afa46647-035c-480c-a883-b97836541693.png?rdr=true]   Stay up to date with Council events, news, advocacy initiatives, and more. 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