Congressional Update
Last week, the Senate prioritized a bipartisan permitting reform deal, and senators are optimistic about its success. Republicans say they have agreed to Democratic asks, but Democrats are requesting additional time on the bill to prevent further attacks on renewable energy. Environment and Public Works ranking member Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) and Senate Energy and Natural Resources ranking member Martin Heinrich (D-NM) have reiterated their commitment to solar and wind projects. Notably, President Trump signaled that he would ease his administration’s stance on renewable energy projects to get Democrats to agree to a deal. President Trump, who strongly supports the permitting reform package, has called for fast action before the midterm elections. The text is expected to be released soon. Senators will return to Washington, DC this week to advance a permitting reform package and data center legislation prior to breaking for the November midterms.
President Trump is also facing increasing calls from Republicans in farm states and tough reelection campaigns to impose a diesel export ban. Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-IA) shared a post declaring that high diesel prices are harming farmers’ incomes and called for President Trump to put an embargo on diesel exports. Sen. Dan Sullivan (R-AK) and Rep. Ashley Hinson (R-IA), who is running for Senate, also chimed in on the need for an export ban. President Trump shared that he is considering imposing a diesel export ban. However, Energy Secretary Chris Wright dismissed the idea of an outright ban and stated the Trump administration is preparing a plan to implement restrictions. Overall, division has emerged as the agriculture industry has pushed for a ban while the oil and gas industry has opposed it.
Sen. Susan Collins (R-ME) and Sen. Angus King (I-ME) sent a letter to President Trump urging him to release supply from the Northeast Home Heating Oil Reserve. According to the Maine Department of Energy Resources, Maine’s statewide heating oil prices have increased by 74 percent compared to this time last year. The senators cited the Trump administration’s decision earlier this year to order a release from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve and called for a similar action with the Northeast Home Heating Oil Reserve.
On the penny rounding front, the Senate could not clear the House-passed Common Cents Act by unanimous consent. One senator objected to that text, so the bill is stuck short of final passage. If the hold is not lifted, the House’s cleanest path is to take up the Senate-passed version after members return from the midterm recess. The two bills are close enough that either one would set a national cash-rounding rule and lock in the end of circulating pennies. Bottom line: This is still likely to get done. It just may slip until after the election.
In addition, Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) and Sen. Tina Smith (D-MN) led a bipartisan push for the federal government to release energy assistance funding. Sens. Klobuchar and Smith, alongside 27 other senators, sent a letter calling on the Department of Health and Human Services to distribute its current Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) funding by November 1, 2026. It is expected that $4 billion in federal LIHEAP funds is being withheld.
Looking ahead, Rep. Shontel Brown (D-OH) has officially launched her bid to be the top House Agriculture Committee Democrat. On the Republican side, Chair GT Thompson (R-PA) has requested a waiver due to term limits but faces competition from Rep. Austin Scott (R-GA), who is the current vice chair.
