Polluters Pay Climate Fund Act of 2024
Sponsored by Sen. Van Hollen, Chris [D-MD] 09/12/24
To impose an assessment related to fossil fuel emissions, to establish the Polluters Pay Climate Fund, and for other purposes...
BILLS & RESOLUTIONS
BILLS AND RESOLUTIONS
FORMS OF CONGRESSIONAL ACTION
The work of Congress is initiated by the introduction of a proposal in one of four principal forms: the bill, the joint resolution, the concurrent resolution, and the simple resolution.
BILLS
A bill is the form used for most legislation, whether permanent or temporary, general or special, public or private. A bill originating in the House of Representatives is designated by the letters “H.R.”, signifying “House of Representatives”, followed by a number that it retains throughout all its parliamentary stages. Bills are presented to the President for action when approved in identical form by both the House of Representatives and the Senate.
JOINT RESOLUTIONS
Joint resolutions may originate either in the House of Representatives or in the Senate. There is little practical difference between a bill and a joint resolution. Both are subject to the same procedure, except for a joint resolution proposing an amendment to the Constitution. On approval of such a resolution by two-thirds of both the House and Senate, it is sent directly to the Administrator of General Services for submission to the individual states for ratification. It is not presented to the President for approval. A joint resolution originating in the House of Representatives is designated “H.J.Res.” followed by its individual number. Joint resolutions become law in the same manner as bills.
CONCURRENT RESOLUTIONS
Matters affecting the operations of both the House of Representatives and Senate are usually initiated by means of concurrent resolutions. A concurrent resolution originating in the House of Representatives is designated “H.Con.Res.” followed by its individual number. On approval by both the House of Representatives and Senate, they are signed by the Clerk of the House and the Secretary of the Senate. They are not presented to the President for action.
SIMPLE RESOLUTIONS
A matter concerning the operation of either the House of Representatives or Senate alone is initiated by a simple resolution. A resolution affecting the House of Representatives is designated “H.Res.” followed by its number. They are not presented to the President for action.
For more information on bills and resolutions see Forms of Congressional Action
UPDATE
On January 7, 2025, The Polluters Pay Climate Fund Act bill was introduced in both the Senate and the House but has not progressed beyond introduction.
Trump’s budget, passed early in July and signed by the President, gutted many of the IRA provisions. Much more detail on the Budget page.
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Van Hollen, Nadler, Chu Introduce Legislation To Make Polluters Pay For Fueling Climate Change
09/12/24
Today, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) and U.S. Representatives Jerry Nadler (D-N.Y.) and Judy Chu (D-Calif.) introduced legislation to require the biggest polluters to begin paying their fair share to confront the climate crisis.…
Climate Adaptation Plan Act
Sponsored by Rep. Escobar, Veronica [D-TX-16] 08/15/23
This bill requires the Environmental Protection Agency to award competitive grants to Indian tribes or localities for developing climate adaptation plans (i.e., a framework for measuring, tracking, and reducing greenhouse gas emissions and for adopting…
Green Climate Fund Authorization Act of 2023
Sponsored by Rep. Espaillat, Adriano [D-NY-13] 06/09/23
This bill authorizes $4 billion in both FY2024 and FY2025 for U.S. contributions to the Green Climate Fund (a fund established under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change to finance projects that address…
Earth Act to Stop Climate Pollution by 2030
Sponsored by Rep. Espaillat, Adriano [D-NY-13] 02/23/23
This bill addresses climate change by establishing requirements concerning renewable energy, zero emission vehicles, regenerative agriculture, and tax incentives related to climate transition costs. Specifically, the bill requires that by 2030, 100% of electricity sold…
Lamb bill to research abandoned oil and gas wells advances out of committee
02/11/22
Regions of the U.S. are pockmarked with long-abandoned oil and gas wells, some emitting potentially hazardous pollutants, and a proposal by a Western Pennsylvania lawmaker to further fund the massive undertaking of locating the relics…
Break Free From Plastic Pollution Act, March 25, 2021
Sponsored by Sen. Udall, Tom [D-NM] 03/25/21
To amend the Solid Waste Disposal Act to reduce the production and use of certain single-use plastic products and packaging, to improve the responsibility of producers in the design, collection, reuse, recycling, and disposal of…
Break Free From Plastic Pollution Act of 2020
Sponsored by Rep. Lowenthal, Alan S. [D-CA-47] 03/22/21
The bill makes certain producers of products (e.g., packaging, paper, single-use products, beverage containers, or food service products) fiscally responsible for collecting, managing, and recycling or composting the products after consumer use. In addition, the…
EPR Debate Heats Up as Break Free from Plastic Pollution Act Enters Congress
By Stefanie Valentic 03/29/21
Oregon Senator Jeff Merkley and Representative Alan Lowenthal (CA - 47) introduced the Break Free from Plastic Pollution Act to Congress on Thursday, March 25. The anticipation leading up to the bill's announcement was amplified with comedian…
Merkley, lowenthal lead introduction of congress’ most comprehensive plan to protect americans’ health from growing plastic pollution crisis
03/25/21
Oregon’s U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley teamed up with Representative Alan Lowenthal (D-CA-47) today to introduce the bicameral Break Free From Plastic Pollution Act—the most comprehensive plan ever introduced in Congress to address the plastic pollution crisis…
Federal Break Free From Plastic Pollution Act Introduced!
By Surfrider Foundation 12/02/20
Over the past year, Surfrider has worked closely with U.S. Senator Tom Udall (NM) and U.S. Representative Alan Lowenthal (CA-47) to introduce bold federal legislation to tackle the plastic pollution crisis. We are excited to…
Environmental Justice for All Act
02/27/20
To restore, reaffirm, and reconcile environmental justice and civil rights, provide for the establishment of the Interagency Working Group on Environmental Justice Compliance and Enforcement, and for other pur- poses.
National Climate Emergency
02/09/21
To require the President to declare a national climate emergency under the National Emergencies Act, and for other purposes.
Sanders, Ocasio-Cortez seek climate emergency declaration
By Matthew Daly, Associated Press 02/09/21
WASHINGTON (AP) — With Democrats in charge of Congress and the White House, progressive lawmakers including Sen. Bernie Sanders and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez are pushing the Biden administration to act ever more aggressively on climate…
New Bill Says Biden Must Declare a National Climate Emergency
By Common DreamsFeb 02/05/21
In a sign that some members of Congress intend to hold President Joe Biden accountable for climate promises he made as a candidate, three lawmakers on Thursday introduced a bill directing him to declare a…
Sanders, Ocasio-Cortez seek ‘climate emergency’ declaration
By Matthew Daly 02/05/21
WASHINGTON (AP) — With Democrats in charge of Congress and the White House, progressive lawmakers including Sen. Bernie Sanders and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez are pushing the Biden administration to act ever more aggressively on climate…
Chuck Schumer wants Biden to declare a ‘climate emergency.’ What does that mean?
By Shannon Osaka 01/25/21
ust a week into his term, President Joe Biden is already under pressure to act more swiftly on climate change. On Monday night, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer told MSNBC’s Rachel Maddow that the newly inaugurated president…
Why Biden Should Declare a Climate Emergency
By Lydia Millet 12/08/20
Last week, New Zealand became the latest country to declare climate change an emergency. Across the planet, local, regional, and national emergency declarations including those in New Zealand, Japan, and the United Kingdom now represent some 820 million citizens. The United States following…
American Energy Innovation Act (AEIA)
Sponsored by Lisa Murkowski and Joe Manchin 03/05/20
To support innovation in advanced geothermal research and development, and for other purposes.
SUMMARY: American Energy Innovation Act-Modern Policy for Modern Energy
03/04/20
American Energy Innovation Act (AEIA), is a compilation of more than 50 energy-related measures considered and individually reported by the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee (ENR) last year.
Energy bill stalled amid amendment gridlock
By Rebecca Beitsch And Jordain Carney 03/09/20
A mammoth energy policy bill hit a roadblock in the Senate on Monday night with a stalemate over amendments threatening to derail the legislation entirely.
The Energy 202: How a powerful lobbying group got stricter energy efficiency codes out of a big Senate energy bill
By Dino Grandoni 03/05/20
After a full year of hearings, business meetings, and bipartisan negotiations, U.S. Senators Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, and Joe Manchin, D-W.Va., today released the text of their energy innovation package.
Renewables, EV tax credits won’t be included in Senate energy bill ‘unless we have a miracle on the floor’: Wyden
By Catherine Morehouse 03/05/20
Many in the energy industry are excited to see the Senate pushing through a substantial energy legislative package, introduced last week by Chair of the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska,…
The Energy 202: Senate prepares to vote on big energy bill this week
By Dino Grandoni 03/02/20
After a full year of hearings, business meetings, and bipartisan negotiations, U.S. Senators Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, and Joe Manchin, D-W.Va., today released the text of their energy innovation package.
Murkowski, Manchin Introduce American Energy Innovation Act
02/27/20
After a full year of hearings, business meetings, and bipartisan negotiations, U.S. Senators Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, and Joe Manchin, D-W.Va., today released the text of their energy innovation package.
To address the impact of climate change on agriculture, and for other purposes
03/05/20
Referred to the Committee on Agriculture, and in addition to the Committees on Ways and Means, Education and Labor, Energy and Commerce, Oversight and Reform, and House Administration, for a period to be subsequently determined…
A Comprehensive New Federal Roadmap for Climate Action on Farms
By Lisa Held 02/26/20
Representative Chellie Pingree (D-Maine) introduced legislation today that would set a national goal of reaching net zero carbon emissions from the U.S. agriculture sector by 2040. The Agriculture Resilience Act also introduces sweeping changes to…
Protecting America’s Wilderness Act
10/22/20
This bill designates wilderness areas, potential wilderness areas, recreation areas, scenic areas, trails, and wild and scenic rivers in Colorado, California, and Washington, among other things.
House passes Protecting America’s Wilderness Act
By Juliegrace Brufke 02/12/20
The House passed legislation aimed at providing additional protections for more than 1 million acres of public land on the West Coast on Wednesday.
Clean Economy Act of 2020
02/11/20
To reduce greenhouse gas emissions from the United States that puts the United States on a pathway to achieve net-zero emissions by not later than 2050.
The Road To A 100% Clean Economy
By Fred Krupp 03/05/20
After declining for several years due to smart policies and cleaner fuels, carbon dioxide pollution from U.S. power generation and industry ticked back up in 2018. That’s bad news—and there’s no question that this dangerous…
NRDC’s Gina McCarthy: Clean Economy Act to Jumpstart Climate Action
02/11/20
Sen. Tom Carper (D-DE) and a third of the Senate today introduced the Clean Economy Act, which would sharply reduce climate-altering greenhouse gas emissions, and promote American competitiveness, healthy communities and a growing economy.
Senate bill requires US to reach net-zero carbon emissions by 2050
By REBECCA BEITSCH 02/11/20
A group of mostly Democratic senators has introduced a bill that would require the U.S. to phase out carbon emissions by 2050, placing their faith almost entirely in the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to carry…
Bright New Day! 100% Clean Economy Act Introduced in US House
By Mary Anne Hitt 11/21/19
Looking at the above photo of me after a climate meeting in Paris in 2017 -- it feels like forever ago. It’s hard to believe we’re coming up on four years since the climate agreement…
Break Free From Plastic Pollution Act of 2020
02/11/20
This bill sets forth requirements related to waste and recycling collection systems for a variety of products and materials, including plastics. The bill makes certain producers of products (e.g., packaging, paper, single-use products, beverage containers,…
Break Free From Plastic Pollution Act debuts in Congress, instigating packaging EPR debate
By E.A. Crunden 02/11/20
The bill would establish a national container deposit system, ban single-use plastic products and set recycled content requirements. Staunch opposition is expected from industry trade groups.
Letter of Endorsement for the Break Free From Plastic Pollution Act
By Janis Searles Jones/CEO 02/10/20
Dear Senator Udall and Congressman Lowenthal: It is my privilege to write on behalf of Ocean Conservancy to express our strong support for the Break Free From Plastic Pollution Act, a bold proposal to address…
Federal Bill Seeks to Make Companies Responsible for Plastic Waste
By Michael Corkery 02/10/20
The legislation, to be introduced Tuesday, has little chance of becoming a law, but the effort shows the increased influence of environmental groups in taking on recycling issues.
Climate Stewardship Act of 2019
03/05/20
To provide incentives for agricultural producers to carry out climate steward-ship practices, to provide for increased reforestation across the United States, to establish the Coastal and Estuary Resilience Grant Program, and for other purposes.
American Forests Supports the Climate Stewardship Act of 2019
By Michael Woestehoff 08/09/19
American Forests, the nation’s first forest conservation organization founded in 1875, announced its support for the Climate Stewardship Act that will be introduced with leadership from U.S. Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ) when Congress reconvenes in…
Cory Booker wants the federal government to plant billions of new trees
By Jack Turman 08/08/19
In an effort to fight climate change, Cory Booker wants the U.S. government to plant billions of new trees. The New Jersey senator released a climate change bill Thursday aimed at sequestering carbon emissions, reducing…
Recycling and Waste Management Advocates Commend Senate Passage of Save Our Seas Bill
By Keep America Beautiful 01/29/20
The Solid Waste Association of North America (SWANA) and Keep America Beautiful® (KAB) commend and fully support the Senate passage of the Save Our Seas 2.0 Act, (S.1982)—via unanimous vote—and now strongly urge the U.S. House of Representatives…
Congressional Action Plan for a Clean Energy Economy and a Healthy, Resilient and Just America
03/28/19
This bill establishes the National Parks and Public Land Legacy Restoration Fund to support deferred maintenance projects on federal lands.
Trump Signs Landmark Land Conservation Bill
By Annie Karni 08/04/20
The bipartisan Great American Outdoors Act guarantees funding for federal land use efforts. The president claimed credit for Republicans.
America’s great outdoors is showing its age. Congress is proposing a facelift.
By Darryl Fears and Dino Grandoni 07/15/20
A bill that would provide billions of dollars to the National Park Service, Forest Service and Land and Water Conservation Fund has been called one of the most important environmental proposals in decades.
Two GOP senators promised vote on conservation bill ahead of tough reelection races
By Dino Grandoni 05/27/20
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) said he will schedule a vote on a public lands package from Sens. Cory Gardner (R-Colo.) and Steve Daines (R-Mont.)....
Fracking Ban Act
Sponsored by Sen. Sanders, Bernard [I-VT] 02/06/20
To ban the practice of hydraulic fracturing, and for other purposes.
Overnight Energy: Sanders, Ocasio-Cortez bill would outlaw fracking
By REBECCA BEITSCH 02/03/20
IF FRACKING IS OUTLAWED, ONLY OUTLAWS WILL FRACK: A bill introduced last week by Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) that Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) helped craft would ban fracking nationwide by 2025, according to its newly…
Sens. Sanders, Merkley Introduce Bill to Ban Fracking Nationwide
By Kassie Siegel 02/03/20
Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders and Sen. Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.) introduced legislation today to immediately ban fracking for oil and gas on all federal public lands onshore and offshore. The bill also would forbid any new…
The Climate Leadership and Environmental Action for our Nation’s Future Act (CLEAN Act)
Bill draft 07/23/19
To build a clean and prosperous future by addressing the climate crisis, protecting the health and welfare of all Americans, and putting the Nation on the path to a net-zero greenhouse gas economy by 2050,…
Summary: The Clean Future Act
Committee on Energy & Commerce 02/26/19
Summary: The Climate Leadership and Environmental Action for our Nation’s (CLEAN) Future Act is a comprehensive proposal of sector-specific and economy-wide solutions to address the climate crisis. Critically, the CLEAN Future Act formally adopts the…
Democrats are pushing a National Climate Bank
By Justine Calma 01/29/20
The idea of a National Climate Bank is catching on in Congress, and it could infuse billions of dollars into efforts to eliminate the US’s planet-heating carbon emissions. A handful of Congressional proposals have been…
Democrats’ draft climate bill charts path to carbon neutrality by 2050
By Rebecca Beitch 01/28/20
Democrats on the House Energy and Commerce Committee on Tuesday unveiled a draft of their new climate plan, which aims for the U.S. to achieve net-zero greenhouse gas pollution by 2050.
The Energy 202: House Democrats tee up sweeping climate bill as alternative to Green New Deal
By Dino Grandoni 01/09/20
Top House Democrats are teeing up a sweeping climate bill that aims to be an alternative to the Green New Deal.
Key House Democrats propose eliminating climate-warming emissions by 2050
By Dino Grandioni with Paulina Firozi 07/24/19
Key House Democrats are proposing a 2050 deadline to eliminate the country's climate-warming emissions — a goal more ambitious than seen in past proposals from Democratic leadership in Congress but one that still falls short…
The Growing Climate Solutions Act of 2020
06/26/20
To authorize the Secretary of Agriculture to develop a program to reduce barriers to entry for farmers, ranchers, and private forest landowners in certain private markets, and for other purposes.
Summary: The Growing Climate Solutions Act of 2020
03/06/20
Agricultural practices and land management decisions play a key role in the discussion surrounding global greenhouse emissions and climate policy. The agriculture and forestry sectors hold the potential to serve as a critical climate solution.…
CCL applauds Senators for bipartisan ag, climate bill
06/04/20
CCL applauds Sens. Braun, Stabenow, Graham & Whitehouse for agriculture, climate bill WASHINGTON, D.C., June 4, 2020 — Sen. Mike Braun (R-IN), Sen. Debbie Stabenow (D-MI), Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC) and Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI)…