Documents Requested on Acting DOI Secretary Bernhardt’s Ties with Westlands Water District

by: Jared Huffman (D-CA, 2nd)

Washington, D.C. - April 8, 2019 - (The Ponder News) -- Natural Resources Committee Chair Raúl M. Grijalva (D-Ariz.) and Water, Oceans, & Wildlife Subcommittee Chair Rep. Jared Huffman (D-San Rafael) launched a new inquiry seeking documents associated with David Bernhardt, the current Deputy Secretary and Acting Secretary of the Interior, and California’s powerful Westlands Water District, a former client of Bernhardt’s. Serious questions have been raised in filings with the Inspector General and the Office of Government Ethics regarding the conflicts between his work as a lobbyist and lawyer for the irrigation district and now as a top official in the Trump administration.

In the letter sent today to the Westlands Water District, Reps. Huffman and Grijalva wrote:

“Serious questions have been raised regarding the potential conflicts between his [Bernhardt’s] work as a top official at the Department of the Interior (DOI) and his previous work as a lobbyist and lawyer with Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck representing the Westlands Water District. These potential conflicts have been described in national news reports and in numerous complaints filed with the Inspector General and Office of Government Ethics. It is essential that the Congress and the American people have a full and complete record of the relationship between Mr. Bernhardt and Westlands so these questions can be answered, and potential conflicts of interest can be addressed.”

The letter requests all documents associated with David Bernhardt and his work relating to his former water district client, including his work to weaken Endangered Species Act protections and to pursue funding for the raising of Shasta Dam over the objections of the State of California.

You can see the full text of the letter here.

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ISAKSON, PERDUE ARGUE FOR SEASONAL FARMER PROTECTIONS IN TRADE AGREEMENT

by: Senator Johnny Isakson (R-GA)

Washington, D.C. - April 8, 2019 - (The Ponder News) -- U.S. Senators Johnny Isakson, R-Ga., and David Perdue, R-Ga., raised concerns with the administration’s lead negotiator for the U.S.-Mexico-Canada-Trade agreement regarding the need to protect Georgia farmers forced to compete with subsidized Mexican fruit and vegetable imports.

The senators joined a bipartisan group of colleagues in the Senate and House in a letter sent Thursday asking U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer to address the legitimate concerns expressed by Georgia’s seasonal growers and to implement new rules to defend domestic seasonal and perishable produce from unfair trade practices.

“Fair, open and reciprocal trade is essential to America’s long-term economic success,” said Isakson. “I intend to do everything I can to help facilitate a level playing field for trade and ensure that hardworking Americans have the tools necessary to address unfair trade practices. Agriculture is Georgia’s largest industry, and our fruit and vegetable farmers are currently far too vulnerable to illegal dumping and other targeted efforts that undermine their ability to cultivate and sell their products at home and abroad. As members of Congress, we’re asking that America’s farmers have a seat at the table and the ability to air their objections to unfair foreign trade practices in a fair and open way.”

“Agriculture is Georgia’s number one industry and a major reason why our state continues to be the best state in the country in which to do business,” said Perdue. “The United States’ economy has evolved since NAFTA was signed nearly 25 years ago. As the Trump administration works to get a better deal for American workers and businesses, we must ensure that farmers and growers are treated fairly and have equal access across the world. It’s critical that we gain a level playing field that will allow our agriculture industry to compete globally.”

Providing a fair process for domestic seasonal fruit and vegetable growers to access the legal means to impose anti-dumping and countervailing duties “was not just an early objective of the administration’s North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) renegotiations, but was also referenced by Congress under current Trade Promotion Authority,” wrote the bipartisan members of Congress.

“The [U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement’s] silence on the matter is significant and concerning,” the letter continues. “We strongly insist that the administration address this issue in a way that gives confidence to all seasonal growers that the federal government can and will act to counter legitimate injury from unfair imports from Mexico or any other country.”

A possible remedy would be to enact the Defending Domestic Produce Production Act, S.16, which Isakson has cosponsored, or through appropriate administrative action to establish equally effective, enforceable and durable remedies through existing trade authorities.

The letter was led by U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., and other members of Florida’s Congressional delegation. In addition to Isakson and Perdue, the letter was also signed by members of Georgia’s congressional delegation including U.S. Reps. Rick Allen, R-Ga.-12, Buddy Carter, R-Ga.-01, Sanford Bishop, D-Ga.-02, Jody Hice, R-Ga.-10, Austin Scott, R-Ga.-08, and David Scott, D-Ga.-13, along with other U.S. representatives from Florida.

The full text of the letter is included below.

Dear Ambassador Lighthizer:

We write to raise concerns regarding the lack of progress in the new U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) with respect to improved mechanisms to initiate and sustain legitimate anti-dumping and countervailing duties (AD/CVD) proceedings for trade in seasonal and perishable produce. As you know, providing a fair process for domestic seasonal fruit and vegetable growers to access genuine AD/CVD relief was not just an early objective of the Administration’s North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) renegotiations, but was also referenced by Congress under current Trade Promotion Authority (TPA). The USMCA’s silence on the matter is significant and concerning.

The President has consistently argued that reducing persistent trade deficits with America’s trading partners is an important goal in the pursuit of free, fair, and reciprocal trade. The U.S. agricultural trade deficit with Mexico has risen rapidly since NAFTA came into force, driven by growing Mexican fruit and vegetable exports buoyed by significant government subsidies and unfair pricing practices, among other factors. In 2016, the U.S. faced a $5.1 billion trade deficit in agricultural goods with Mexico. Fruits and vegetables made up the largest source of Mexico’s bilateral agricultural trade surplus at $11.2 billion, nearly $2 billion more than the bilateral U.S. trade surplus of meats, dairy, grain, and oilseeds combined. While the Mexican Government has refused to include a mechanism to correct this growing imbalance in the USMCA text, we still believe the Administration must ensure that clear rules are in place to defend domestic seasonal and perishable produce from unfair trade practices.

We strongly insist that the Administration address this issue in a way that gives confidence to all seasonal growers that the federal government can and will act to counter legitimate injury from unfair imports from Mexico or any other country. This could be accomplished by enacting the Defending Domestic Produce Production Act (S. 16 / H.R. 101), or through appropriate administrative action to establish equally effective, enforceable, and durable remedies through existing trade authorities. Those remedies must able to provide relief, as necessary and applicable, across a highly diverse suite of American seasonal producers.

Domestic seasonal and perishable produce growers deserve reasonable access to trade enforcement tools that are readily available to other agricultural and industrial producers in the U.S. Such an outcome would be good for American fruit and vegetable farmers, good for American families, and good for the nation’s food security. Moreover, a successful resolution of this issue would provide important support for the USMCA within the agricultural communities we represent.

We greatly appreciate your efforts to secure the strongest trade deals possible for the United States and your commitment to protect American workers and production capacity from unfair and illegal foreign competition. We look forward to working with you towards a successful resolution of this important issue prior to a USMCA vote.

Sincerely,

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Chairman Scott Statement on March Jobs Report

by: House Committee on Education and the Workforce

Washington, D.C. - April 5, 2019 - (The Ponder News) -- Chairman Bobby Scott (VA-03) issued the following statement after the Bureau of Labor Statistics announced that the economy added 196,000 jobs in March and the unemployment rate held at 3.8 percent.

“Today’s jobs report continues to show that despite steady job growth, wages are barely keeping pace with inflation. It is another reminder that Congress must take bold action to lift millions of workers out of poverty to help build a thriving middle class.

“The Raise the Wage Act would gradually increase the minimum wage to $15 by 2024, which would increase the pay and standard of living for nearly 40 million workers across this country. Raising the minimum wage is not only good for workers, it is good for businesses, and good for the economy. When we put money in the pockets of American workers, they will spend that money in their communities.

“Just last week, new polling data revealed that voters across the political spectrum and around the country support gradually raising the federal minimum wage to $15. After 10 years with no increase in the minimum wage, it is past time to listen to the American people, boost workers’ paychecks, and stimulate economic growth by passing the Raise the Wage Act.”

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Experts Call for Strengthened, Integrated Strategies Addressing “Converging Public Health Crisis” of Opioid, ID Epidemics

by: Infectious Disease Society of America

Washington, D.C. - April 5, 2019 - (The Ponder News) -- Citing the spread of infections linked to rising rates of opioid use across the country including HIV, viral hepatitis, skin and soft tissue infections, bone and joint infections and endocarditis, an article published in the Journal of Infectious Diseases calls on the federal government to support coordinated and strengthened responses by infectious diseases and substance use specialists. The article, by a team of authors from the University of Maryland School of Medicine, and from the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases that includes NIAID Director Dr. Anthony Fauci, notes that opioid use has climbed since the late 1990s, leading to increased use of injecting drugs. By 2016, the authors note, injecting drug use was linked to 13% of new HIV diagnoses and the majority of new hepatitis C infections.

The article notes that infectious disease physicians confronting outbreaks of infections linked to injection drug use increasingly find themselves on the frontlines of the nation’s opioid epidemic, and must be equipped to recognize, refer, and treat substance use disorders. In turn, the authors recommend that providers of substance use disorder responses, including mental health professionals, nurses and social workers, be prepared to screen clients for infections, and to refer those at risk to programs providing sterile needles and syringes and other supports to reduce the risk of infection. Limited numbers of providers in both fields, as well as a lack of sterile needle and syringe programs, the authors note, exacerbate the challenges providers face in addressing the growing crisis. The authors call for investments by the federal government ensuring the expansion of evidence-based interventions, and support for the needed workforce.

The Infectious Diseases Society of America and the HIV Medicine Association also continue to call on Congress and the administration to ensure the resources and workforce needed to reverse climbing rates of infectious diseases fueled by the opioid epidemic. We have supported the President’s request for Congress to provide a minimum of $58 million for U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to support surveillance, prevention, detection and linkages to care to address the full range of infectious diseases associated with substance use disorders, and support collaboration with state and local health departments, health care facilities, and providers in these responses. In addition, we urge Congress to fund the Loan Repayment for Substance Use Treatment Disorder Treatment Workforce Program at a minimum of $25 million as recommended in the SUPPORT Act and have urged the Health and Human Resources Administration to include infectious diseases and HIV physicians who diagnose and treat infections associated with substance use in programs providing education loan repayment, including by designating Ryan White-funded clinics as eligible National Health Service Corps sites.

We will continue to urge support for evidence-based, innovative and responsive care models and for addressing the challenges faced by the workforce that will be essential to ending the impacts of the opioid crisis.

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The Truth About the Violence Against Women Act

by: French Hill (R-AR, 2nd)

Washington, D.C. - April 5, 2019 - (The Ponder News) -- In 1994, Congress passed the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) with bipartisan support. This legislation has played a valuable role in combating violence and providing resources that support victims. VAWA was reauthorized by bipartisan majorities in Congress in 2000, 2005, and 2013.

I have consistently supported the funding of VAWA programs because all victims of violence deserve resources that help to protect and keep them safe.

In February of this year, the VAWA programs expired. Instead of continuing the bipartisan tradition of reauthorizing VAWA, House Democratic leaders have sabotaged this legislation and are forcing a vote this week on a partisan version of this bill purely for political gain. This new authorization contains a laundry list of liberal proposals that could put victims in greater danger.

This includes a new provision that would implement “alternative justice responses” for sexual assault and domestic violence cases where a victim and an abuser would be put in the same room together. Allowing this only re-victimizes the abused individual. The new authorization would allow male prisoners to be kept with the female population, and have males be placed in women's protective shelters. Additionally, the new authorization strips religious freedom protections that would allow private religious agencies to continue serving victimized women.

The right way to proceed on this legislation is to engage in a bipartisan process to shape and update the original 1994 law. That’s why I cosponsored Representative Elise Stefanik’s (NY-R) clean, one-year extension of VAWA’s provisions that expired in February 2019. This would give members of Congress time to negotiate a bipartisan bill in good faith. All women, like my wife and daughter, deserve legislation that protects them and their well-being, not partisan gimmicks.

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See Also:

VIDEO: Statement From Congressman Horsford On Reauthorization Of Violence Against Women Act

Houlahan Continues to Stand Up for Women with the Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act of 2019

Haaland Celebrates House Passage of the VAWA Reauthorization

HRC: Senate Must Join House in Reauthorizing VAWA

Heading to the President’s Desk: ACE Kids Act

by: Jaime Herrera Beutler (R-WA, 3rd)

Washington, D.C. - April 5, 2019 - (The Ponder News) -- U.S. Representative Jaime Herrera Beutler’s bipartisan Advancing Care for Exceptional (ACE) Kids Act is heading to the president’s desk for his signature into law. Her bill, which was included in a broader Medicaid improvement package, was approved by the U.S. Senate yesterday. ACE Kids Act helps improve the coordination of and access to high quality care to ensure optimal outcomes for children with complex medical conditions on Medicaid.

Herrera Beutler has been championing this bipartisan legislation since 2014. WATCH her speak on behalf of her bill in December.

“I’ve sat bedside to bedside with many a family as they face the reality of having a sick kid, and have also hit hard times economically. Every family should be able to pursue the best doctors and facilities for their kids, regardless of their zip code or the scope of their child’s medical needs. Too often, kids get overlooked in our health care system so passage of this bipartisan bill through Congress is a critical step forward in protecting some of the most vulnerable members of our population,” Herrera Beutler said.

“We at Seattle Children’s are very pleased that the ACE Kids Act has passed. Seattle Children’s serves many children, including those living in rural communities, whose highly specialized medical needs require them to cross state lines for care. The ACE Kids Act will improve access to the full range of pediatric providers, from primary care to specialized providers like Seattle Children’s, while at the same time providing additional Medicaid data to ensure care is standardized, more reliable, and safer. This will result in a better system for our nation’s children and their families. We thank and congratulate Congresswoman Jaime Herrera Beutler for her strong leadership in sponsoring this legislation and seeing it through to successful passage,” Dr. Jeff Sperring, CEO of Seattle Children’s Hospital, said.


Medically-complex kids on Medicaid:

· One in 25 children in the U.S. is “medically complex” with diagnoses like cancer, congenital heart disease, Down syndrome, or others that require consistent care and medical expertise. Of the several million medically-complex children, roughly two million rely on Medicaid. Children who have complex medical conditions represent a small percentage of kids in Medicaid, but account for a large portion of the costs.

· Most children with complex medical conditions receive care from multiple specialized pediatric providers who often are located at different clinics and hospitals, including in different states. The ACE Kids Act will encourage the creation of more health homes for these children and their families that better coordinate care, save precious time, money and lives. Outside studies have found that, through care coordination, the ACE Kids Act will save families and taxpayer money through a less fragmented and burdensome system of care for children and families.

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Bill to Increase Job Opportunities for Wildlife Veterinarians Reintroduced

by: Alcee L. Hastings (D-FL, 20th)

Washington, D.C. - April 5, 2019 - (The Ponder News) -- Congressman Alcee L. Hastings reintroduced the Wildlife Veterinarians Employment and Training Act of 2019 (Wildlife VET Act), legislation to increase the quality of job opportunities for individuals seeking a career in wildlife and zoological veterinary research or medicine, spur job growth, incentivize students to enter the field, and promote robust public health policy. Joining Hastings as original cosponsors include: Representatives Nanette Diaz Barragán (D-CA), David Cicilline (D-RI), Steve Cohen (D-TN), Marcy Kaptur (D-OH), Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-D.C.-At Large), Jamie Raskin (D-MD), Kurt Schrader (D-OR), Darren Soto (D-FL), and Filemon Vela (D-TX). (Please find attached a copy of the legislation):

“I am pleased to reintroduce the Wildlife VET Act, which responds to pressing public health needs, while also addressing the current shortage of veterinarians by alleviating looming student debt and other barriers. Salaries for wildlife and zoological professionals are relatively low compared to those who practice companion animal medicine, ranking second to the bottom for salaries paid to veterinarians as a whole. These students graduate with a massive $143,000 in student loan debt, on average. Given the lower salaries, looming student debt, combined with the limited number of funded positions available, this bill prevents students from being too discouraged to enter this essential profession.

“We have reached a point in our history when we cannot ignore the importance of protecting America’s wildlife. With an increasing number of endangered species, the introduction of invasive non-native species, and more infectious disease threats to public health, wildlife and zoological veterinarians must be placed at the core of our efforts and be given the resources and recognition necessary to protect both animal and human lives.”

The Wildlife VET Act increases the quality and number of job opportunities for individuals seeking a career in wildlife and zoological veterinary research or medicine, reduces barriers and provides incentives to students to enter the field, and promotes robust public health policy. In so doing, the bill creates new positions in the field; limits the amount of educational debt students can take on; provides scholarship and loan repayment programs; and helps schools develop specialized curricula and training programs with a focus on wildlife and zoological veterinary medicine.

Congressman Alcee L. Hastings serves as Vice-Chairman of the House Rules Committee, Chairman of the U.S. Helsinki Commission, and Co-Chairman of the Florida Delegation.

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HYDE-SMITH STRESSES NEED FOR STRONG HHS RESPONSE TO RURAL HOSPITAL CLOSURES

by: Senator Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-MS)

Washington, D.C. - April 5, 2019 - (The Ponder News) -- U.S. Senator Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-Miss.) has stressed the need for federal action to address the risk of rural hospitals closing in Mississippi and other rural states.

Hyde-Smith raised the rural hospital issue at a Senate Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education Appropriations Subcommittee hearing Thursday on the FY2020 budget request for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).

“We must keep working to find strong actions that we can take to help rural hospitals in Mississippi stay open. Rural hospital closures have reached a very critical point in our state,” Hyde-Smith said following the hearing.

At the hearing, Hyde-Smith told HHS Secretary Alex Azar about her growing concerns regarding rural healthcare in Mississippi, which has more rural hospitals at risk of closing than any other state. She cited recent reports showing half of all rural hospitals in Mississippi are at high financial risk of shutting their doors.

“When a hospital closes, the whole community is affected in so many ways, not only the employment there. Most importantly, it means no more access to emergency care for the community’s residents,” Hyde-Smith said. “In an emergency, timely care is of essence, and having close-by access to them can truly mean life or death.”

Azar assured Hyde-Smith, “We’re working on this.”

“You have repeatedly raised with me the concerns about rural hospital access in Mississippi, and in part because of your efforts I have created a task force across HHS to help come up with all ideas that we can around how we can address the hospital crisis,” Azar said.

The Secretary listed ongoing review of HHS programs, policies, and rules to determine their effectiveness in supporting access to rural health care and hospital financial survivability.

“Let me give you some ideas. One of them we just were discussing, which is telehealth. How can we help make sure that we’re expanding access into rural America because we’ll end up consolidating everyone living in urban areas if we can't provide them healthcare in rural America,” Azar said.

“We also have to make sure that our regulations at CMS [Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services] or otherwise are not creating artificial barriers to economically viable models of hospitals in rural America. Are we trying to force a 1960s model of hospitals through our payment systems and other regulations onto rural America?” he said.

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Senator Hirono Leads Senate Democrats in Requesting Deputy Inspector General Investigate Data Suppression at DOI

by: Senator Mazie K. Hirono (D - HI)

Washington, D.C. - April 5, 2019 - (The Ponder News) -- Senators Mazie K. Hirono (D-Hawaii), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.), Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), Tom Udall (D-N.M.), Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), Cory Booker (D-N.J.), Ben Cardin (D-Md.), and Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) sent a letter to Deputy Inspector General Mary L. Kendall to request she investigate “the suppression of a Fish and Wildlife Service Biological Opinion that was due to be completed and released in December 2017.” The letter specifically calls into question actions taken by David Bernhardt, the current nominee to become Secretary of the Interior, to suppress scientific data and follows up on a letter the Senators previously sent requesting the Deputy Inspector General monitor and investigate any “instances of potential alterations to scientific reports, documents, or communications produced by the Department of the Interior (DOI) as well as instances of political pressure influencing science at DOI.”

“Under the current administration DOI has repeatedly shown a willingness to completely disregard the work of career scientists and allow political appointees who are not subject matter experts to influence the decision-making process,” the Senators wrote. “In our previous letter, we said we had no reason to believe that the attacks on science and pressure by political appointees to alter science in order to advance the administration’s narrative would cease, and this report reinforces that conclusion. As such we request an investigation into the delayed release of the Fish and Wildlife Biological Opinion that was due for release over a year ago.”

The Senators requested the investigation after the New York Times published an article last week that detailed a series of documents from U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service scientists who completed a comprehensive analysis showing several widely-used pesticides were so toxic they “‘jeopardize the continued existence’ of more than 1,200 endangered birds, fish, and other animals.” The documents also indicated top political appointees, led by Bernhardt, blocked the release of the opinion and “set in motion a new process intended to apply a much narrower standard to determine the risks from pesticides.” The documents exposing Bernhardt’s actions were obtained via a Freedom of Information Act request.

In September 2018, Senator Hirono led fourteen of her Senate colleagues in sending a letter to Deputy Inspector General Kendall to request she investigate allegations of political interference and alterations to scientific data at the DOI regarding a report by the National Park Service (NPS) on sea level rise. While that report was ultimately released without politically-influenced edits or alterations, Senator Hirono has remained vigilant in tracking DOI’s ongoing treatment of scientists and scientific experts.

The full text of the letter is available here

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Legislation to Block Efforts to Roll Back Fuel Economy Emissions Standards Introduced

by: Senator Kamala Harris (D-CA)

Washington, D.C. - April 4, 2019 - (The Ponder News) -- U.S. Senators Kamala D. Harris (D-CA), Dianne Feinstein (D-CA), and Edward J. Markey (D-MA) on Wednesday reintroduced the Greener Air Standards Mean Our National Security, Environment, and Youth (GAS MONEY) Saved Act, legislation that would block efforts at the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and National Highway Traffic and Safety Administration (NHTSA) to roll back strong fuel economy emissions standards. This legislation highlights the benefits of the existing fuel economy and vehicle greenhouse gas emissions standards and the dangerous impacts of the proposed rule released by the EPA and NHTSA last August. The GAS MONEY Saved Act would reinstate the 2012 fuel economy and vehicle greenhouse gas emission standards rule—which was reaffirmed by an extensive technical assessment report in 2016—and prevent EPA Administrator Wheeler from weakening the standards. This proposed rule is being challenged by a coalition of 20 attorneys general and has been questioned by several major auto companies.

“Every American deserves clean air and clean water, yet this administration has taken drastic steps to undermine the clean car standards put in place to protect public health and reduce our reliance on fossil fuels,” said Senator Harris. “We must preserve these important standards and recommit ourselves to securing the environment for future generations.”

“Reducing harmful car emissions is key to combating climate change. Congress enacted our bipartisan Ten-in-Ten Fuel Economy Act to boost fuel efficiency standards, which is now on track to exceed 50 mpg by 2025. The new standards are working, thanks to a joint effort between the federal government, California and like-minded states, and the auto industry. Cars are becoming more fuel efficient, families are saving money at the pump and auto manufacturers are meeting the stronger standards at lower costs than expected – there is no reason to change them now,” said Senator Feinstein.

“Consumers, our national security, and the environment all benefit from the strong fuel economy emissions standards the Trump administration wants to repeal,” said Senator Markey. “Instead of fostering the kind of innovation and American competitiveness that come with more efficient cars, the EPA and NHTSA are doing the bidding of Big Oil and putting us in reverse. Fuel economy emissions standards are the single greatest action ever taken by any nation to fight climate change. At a time when we still import more than 2.5 million barrels of oil a day from OPEC, Congress should block any attempt by the Trump administration to make a U-turn on these standards and the ability that California and other states like Massachusetts have under the Clean Air Act to put strong standards in place. The GAS MONEY Saved Act will save American families money at the pump, combat the climate crisis, protect auto industry jobs, and help end our reliance on foreign oil.”

The fuel economy emissions standards are projected to save nearly 2.5 million barrels of oil a day by 2030, around as much oil as we currently import from OPEC countries every day, save consumers over $1 trillion, and reduce global warming pollution by six billion metric tons. Since reaching an historic agreement with the Obama administration and state leaders, the auto industry has gone from the brink of economic disaster to record auto sales in 2015 and 2016, including adding 700,000 U.S. jobs.

Other Senators co-sponsoring the legislation include Senators Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), Michael Bennet (D-CO), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Tina Smith (D-MN), Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Ron Wyden (D-OR), Robert Menendez (D-NJ), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Cory Booker (D-NJ), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), Jack Reed (D-RI), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), and Bernie Sanders (I-VT).

A copy of the GAS MONEY Saved Act can be found HERE.

Almanac of American Politics 2018