Source: United States Senator for Washington State Patty Murray
***WATCH: Senator Murray’sopening remarks***
Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), Vice Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, delivered the following opening remarks as the committee meets to consider the draft fiscal year 2026 Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies, and Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies appropriations acts.
Senator Murray’s opening remarks, as delivered, are below:
“Thank you very much, Chair Collins, and thank you to Senator Murkowski and Senator Merkley, our Interior subcommittee leads, and Senators Hyde-Smith and Gillibrand, our THUD subcommittee leaders, for working so hard and working together to hammer out two bipartisan bills.
“May not be the bills I would have written on my own, certainly more I would love to see us do and investments and accountability measures I’d like to see. But these bills are serious bipartisan compromises that reject many of the truly harmful cuts Trump and House Republicans are pushing for, and maintains crucial programs that help make sure folks back home have a roof over their heads; safe, reliable transportation; and clean air and water.
“In the Interior bill, we were able to put together a bill that protects public lands and national parks, invests in fighting wildfires, helps live up to our obligations to Tribes, and invests in critical work protecting our environment—and our families.
“And in the THUD bill, we were able to maintain crucial investments to address the housing crisis reject Trump’s deep cuts to rental assistance programs that make sure millions of families have a roof over their head and invest in transportation infrastructure across the board—including a much needed increase to hire more air traffic controllers.
“These are worthwhile investments—and they show just what is possible if we work together and exactly why a bipartisan process is a better path for everyone than the Trump bills House Republicans seem intent on writing—or another slush fund CR.
“Now, Russ Vought may want to break this process—and make it more partisan, he said so. He may want to set Congress on a track for a shutdown. But we, on this committee, can reject that partisan vision that hurts working families everywhere. And we can reject the painful cuts and policies they’re trying to inflict in our communities—just as these bills do.
“In fact, I think most of us here recognize that we have to reject that path.
“Because, at the end of the day—passing funding bills here in the Senate takes 60 votes.
“And that means the Trump-Vought path is choosing a dead end and a shut down.
“I won’t pretend the work ahead is going to be easy—I think every one of us knows, compromise means doing hard work, making hard choices.
“And it requires trust—something that unfortunately continues to be chipped away at. I hope that trajectory can be reversed—and I look forward to more discussion on each of the bills before us today.”
Source: United States Senator for Washington State Patty Murray
Committee approves Interior-Environment bill in a26-2 vote — BILL SUMMARY HERE
Committee approves Transportation-HUD bill in a 27-1 vote —BILL SUMMARY HERE
***WATCHand READ: Senator Murray’s opening remarks***
Washington, D.C. – Today, the Senate Appropriations Committee met for a full committee markup to consider its draft fiscal year 2026 Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies, and Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies appropriations acts.
“These may not be the bills I would have written on my own. There’s more I certainly want to see us do and investments and accountability measures I’ll keep pushing for. But these bills are serious, bipartisan compromises that reject so many of the truly harmful cuts Trump and House Republicans are pushing for and that maintain crucial programs that help make sure folks back home have a roof over their head, safe, reliable transportation, and clean air and water,” said Vice Chair Patty Murray in her opening remarks. “Now, Russ Vought may want to break this process and make it more partisan. He may want to set Congress on track for a shutdown. But we can reject that partisan vision that hurts working families everywhere. And we can reject the painful cuts and policies Trump and Vought are trying to inflict in our communities—just as these bills do.”
In a 26-2 vote, the Committee approved the draft fiscal year 2026 Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies appropriations bill.
“Oregonians turned out in record numbers during my town halls to deliver a clear message—we need to do everything we can to fight against harmful federal funding cuts and to instead double down on supporting our public lands, Tribal communities, and clean air and water for all,” said Senator Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Ranking Member of the Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Subcommittee. “This bipartisan bill protects funding for operating the National Park System, National Refuge System, National Forest System, our National Conservation Lands, and the Land and Water Conservation Fund, making a bold statement to the Trump Administration that Congress intends to fight back against any attempt to rip away public lands from public use. I’ll continue to work with members from both parties to invest in our country’s and our children’s futures.”
“When it comes to protecting our public lands, this bill provides critical funding for our National Parks and our Forest Service and rejects the absolutely paltry level Trump put forward, as well as the House Republican level. It also prevents our national parks from being sold off. It ensures federal firefighters will not face a pay cut, and it fully funds wild fire prevention and suppression. When it comes to our obligations to our Tribes, we were able to provide $12 billion across Tribal programs—rejecting Trump efforts to cut Tribal safety, Tribal schools, the Bureau of Indian Affairs, and advanced appropriations for the Indian Health Service,” said Vice Chair Murray in comments on the bill. “This bill also protects clean water and air programs and continues vital, cutting-edge research that protects families’ health and wellbeing which is under threat from this administration. No doubt, there is more I’d like to do here but this is a solid bipartisan bill to sustain critical programs that protect our environment and families’ health in the face of Trump cuts.”
The following amendments to the bill were considered during today’s mark up:
Manager’s package offered by Chair Murkowski.
Adopted unanimously.
Reed amendment to prevent the Trump administration from redirecting funding Congress provided for the National Endowment of the Humanities to fund its plans to create a sculpture garden of notable Americans at its discretion.
Debated; withdrawn.
Heinrich amendment to require the National Park Service, the U.S. Forest Service, and the Department of the Interior to maintain at least the same number of full-time equivalents as they had in September 2020 to ensure adequate staffing at our national parks and for wildfire prevention and response.
Republicans rejected the amendment in a 15-14 party-line vote.
A summary of the bill is available HERE.
Final bill text, report, Congressionally Directed Spending (CDS) projects, and adopted amendments will be available HERE later today.
In a 27-1 vote, the Committee approved the draft fiscal year 2026 Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies appropriations bill.
“I would like to thank Chair Collins, Vice Chair Murray, and Chair Hyde-Smith for their leadership and support of this bipartisan bill. As ranking member of the Transportation and Housing Subcommittee, I am committed to working with Democrats and Republicans alike to find bipartisan solutions to meet the needs of my constituents. This bill provides safe and efficient travel by fully funding the FAA and by making investments in Amtrak and transit projects critical to New York. It also protects families, seniors, and people with disabilities who rely on HUD rental and homeless assistance programs, while also investing in affordable housing. The bill soundly rejects the harmful proposals from the Trump administration and will help lower costs for all Americans,” said Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), Ranking Member of the Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies Subcommittee.
“While I still want to do more to address the housing crisis—and I am not going to stop pushing on that—I’m glad to say this bill rejects President Trump’s proposed cuts to rental assistance that would have put 10 million people at risk of eviction—mostly kids, seniors, and people with disabilities. This bill delivers funding to help ensure no one is kicked out of their home, and keep families stably housed,” Vice Chair Murray said in comments on the bill. “When it comes to transportation, this bill includes a much-needed increase for FAA to hire air traffic controllers, modernize equipment, and more. It also invests in highway safety, rail safety, and pipeline safety—not to mention investments in our ports and shipyards. It rejects Trump’s cuts to the essential air services that would have cut off so many small and rural communities. It rejects House Republicans’ proposal to slash Capital Investment Grants by 98%. And of course, it rejects Trump’s plan to eliminate BUILD grants. This is a program I helped launch that supports major construction projects across the country.”
The following amendments to the bill were considered during today’s mark up:
Manager’s package offered by Chair Hyde-Smith.
Adopted unanimously.
Merkley amendment to prohibit funds provided in any fiscal year 2026 appropriations act from being eligible for rescissions or deferrals under the Impoundment Control Act’s fast-track procedures, ensuring they can only be considered through annual appropriations bills.
Republicans rejected the amendment in a 15-14 party line vote.
A summary of the bill is available HERE.
Final bill text, report, Congressionally Directed Spending (CDS) projects, and adopted amendments will be available HERE later today.
PITTSBURGH, July 24, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Montauk Renewables, Inc. (“Montauk” or “the Company”) (NASDAQ: MNTK), a renewable energy company specializing in the management, recovery and conversion of biogas into renewable natural gas (“RNG”), will host a conference call and webcast on Thursday, August 7, 2025, at 8:30 a.m. Eastern time to discuss its financial results for the second quarter ended June 30, 2025. The Company will issue a press release reporting the financial results after the close of regular stock market trading hours on the day prior to the conference call and webcast.
Second Quarter 2025 Conference Call and Webcast Details
Please register for the conference call and webcast using the above link in advance of the call start time. The webcast platform will register your name and organization as well as provide dial-in numbers and a unique access pin. Please contact Gateway Group at (949) 574-3860 if you experience technical difficulties.
The conference call and webcast will have a live Q&A session and be available here and on the Company’s website at https://ir.montaukrenewables.com.
A replay of the conference call and webcast will be available after 11:30 a.m. Eastern time on the same day through August 7, 2026.
About Montauk Renewables, Inc.
Montauk Renewables, Inc. (NASDAQ: MNTK) is a renewable energy company specializing in the management, recovery and conversion of biogas into RNG. The Company captures methane, preventing it from being released into the atmosphere, and converts it into either RNG or electrical power for the electrical grid (“Renewable Electricity”). The Company, headquartered in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, has more than 30 years of experience in the development, operation and management of landfill methane-fueled renewable energy projects. The Company has operations at 13 projects and ongoing development projects located in California, Idaho, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, North Carolina, and Texas. The Company sells RNG and Renewable Electricity, taking advantage of Environmental Attribute premiums available under federal and state policies that incentivize their use. For more information, visit https://ir.montaukrenewables.com.
PITTSBURGH, July 24, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Montauk Renewables, Inc. (“Montauk” or “the Company”) (NASDAQ: MNTK), a renewable energy company specializing in the management, recovery and conversion of biogas into renewable natural gas (“RNG”), will host a conference call and webcast on Thursday, August 7, 2025, at 8:30 a.m. Eastern time to discuss its financial results for the second quarter ended June 30, 2025. The Company will issue a press release reporting the financial results after the close of regular stock market trading hours on the day prior to the conference call and webcast.
Second Quarter 2025 Conference Call and Webcast Details
Please register for the conference call and webcast using the above link in advance of the call start time. The webcast platform will register your name and organization as well as provide dial-in numbers and a unique access pin. Please contact Gateway Group at (949) 574-3860 if you experience technical difficulties.
The conference call and webcast will have a live Q&A session and be available here and on the Company’s website at https://ir.montaukrenewables.com.
A replay of the conference call and webcast will be available after 11:30 a.m. Eastern time on the same day through August 7, 2026.
About Montauk Renewables, Inc.
Montauk Renewables, Inc. (NASDAQ: MNTK) is a renewable energy company specializing in the management, recovery and conversion of biogas into RNG. The Company captures methane, preventing it from being released into the atmosphere, and converts it into either RNG or electrical power for the electrical grid (“Renewable Electricity”). The Company, headquartered in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, has more than 30 years of experience in the development, operation and management of landfill methane-fueled renewable energy projects. The Company has operations at 13 projects and ongoing development projects located in California, Idaho, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, North Carolina, and Texas. The Company sells RNG and Renewable Electricity, taking advantage of Environmental Attribute premiums available under federal and state policies that incentivize their use. For more information, visit https://ir.montaukrenewables.com.
Source: United States Senator for Massachusetts Ed Markey
Bipartisan legislation bolsters mental wellness & resilience to traumas caused by climate disasters
Washington (July 24, 2025) – Senator Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.), a member of the Environment and Public Works Committee and co-Chair of the Environmental Justice Caucus, along with Representatives Paul D. Tonko (D-NY), Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA), and Don Bacon (R-NE), today introduced the Community Mental Wellness and Resilience Act, a bipartisan bill that tackles the nation’s mental health crisis by addressing the extensive community trauma caused by climate disasters. This innovative legislation will empower communities through a new federal grant program to craft their own locally specific responses to the mental health problems caused by disasters and toxic stresses.
“Communities are struggling to meet the current need for mental health services, and as the climate crisis worsens, unprecedented disasters will only cause more unprecedented harm to our physical and mental health,” said Senator Markey. “Heat waves, flash floods, wildfires, and droughts leave devastation and trauma in their wake. My Community Mental Wellness and Resilience Act would give communities the help they need to protect residents’ mental health, especially those in rural and underserved communities that are getting hit first and worst by disasters and have the fewest resources to deal with them.”
“Extreme weather disasters don’t just wreak havoc on our homes, economies, and infrastructure — they inflict lasting trauma and mental harm for those both directly impacted and far beyond the affected area,” Congressman Tonko said. “We need to provide compassionate, evidence-informed solutions to support our communities. That’s why I’m leading this bipartisan legislation in partnership with my colleagues. We’ll continue working to further mental wellness and equip our communities with the resources they need to meet and overcome these traumas.”
“For too long, our disaster response has focused solely on physical recovery, while the mental and emotional toll has gone unaddressed. This bipartisan legislation corrects that imbalance by treating mental health as a core component of our public health and emergency preparedness strategy. By investing in evidence-based, community-driven solutions, we’re not just helping communities rebuild—we’re helping them heal,” said Congressman Brian Fitzpatrick.
“The mental health crisis affecting our communities is one of the most serious challenges of our time. We need comprehensive, community-driven solutions that empower local leaders to develop and implement programs that work for their specific needs,”?said Congressman Don Bacon.?“The bipartisan Community Mental Wellness and Resilience Act puts the power back in the hands of our communities to create meaningful, lasting change in mental health care.”
In 2024, Mental Health America reported that nearly 23 percent of U.S. adults (~60 million people) experienced a diagnosed mental illness, with more than 5 percent facing severe conditions. Climate disasters only exacerbate the problem. Consequently, the number of people who experience a mental health problem as a result of a natural disaster often outweigh those with physical injuries by 40 to 1.
The Community Mental Wellness and Resilience Act will:
Establish a competitive grant program at the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to create, operate, or expand community-based programs that use a public health approach to build mental wellness and resilience
Utilize these programs to enhance the capacity of all residents for mental wellness and resilience to prevent and heal mental health problems generated by disasters and toxic stresses
Incorporating a set-aside to help address rural mental health disparities
Help community initiatives build their own strategies to enhance and sustain population-level mental wellness and resilience, with specific attention to high-risk individuals
More than 110 organizations support the legislation, including: Alliance of Nurses for Healthy Environments, American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, American Lung Association, American Psychiatric Association, American Public Health Association, International Transformational Resilience Coalition, Mental Health America, Moms Clean Air Force, National Association of Pediatric Nurse Practitioners, National Association of Social Workers, National League for Nursing, Rural Opportunity Institute, The Kennedy Forum, and YMCA of the USA.
A fact sheet on the legislation can be found HERE.
Question for written answer E-002920/2025 to the Commission Rule 144 Rasmus Nordqvist (Verts/ALE)
The state of EU surface waters remains critical, with fewer than 40 % achieving good ecological status and less than 30 % reaching good chemical status. In Denmark, only 29.9 % of surface waters are in good ecological status, and just 1.7 % are in good chemical status.
This lack of progress is closely tied to the widespread non-implementation of EU environmental law. The Commission’s fourth Environmental Implementation Review estimates the annual cost of non-compliance at EUR 180 billion – about 1 % of EU gross domestic product. The report finds EU water directives broadly fit for purpose but poorly implemented.
In Denmark, the Ministry of Environment has long failed to set binding limits for several harmful substances, hindering proper water quality assessments. These include heavy metals and chemicals such as nickel, arsenic and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs). Internal ministry documents suggest economic concerns for industry have influenced decisions on whether, and to what extent, to comply with EU law.
1.How does the failure of Member States such as Denmark to set limit values affect enforcement and the overall effectiveness of the EU water directives?
2.What steps will the Commission take to ensure Member States uphold environmental law over industrial interests?
Priority question for written answer P-002982/2025 to the Commission Rule 144 Isabella Lövin (Verts/ALE)
In July 2024, The Financial Times[1] reported that the Commission had dropped infringement proceedings launched in 2021 against France, Spain, Ireland, the Netherlands and Belgium for failing to enforce the EU’s ban on discarding unwanted fish at sea. These proceedings aimed to ensure compliance with the landing obligation, requiring catches, including by-catch, to be landed and counted against quotas. The Financial Times reported that the Commission ‘quietly’ dropped the cases without explanation, and that no evidence was seen that the breaches had been addressed.
Experts have long warned that undocumented discards undermine quota monitoring and the scientific data underpinning fishing limits. Commission staff working document SWD(2025)0149 of 6 June 2025 echoed these warnings, citing a ‘lack of effective control measures adopted by Member States to date’[2], making such violations ‘very difficult to detect and confirm’. The European Fisheries Control Agency’s 2024 Annual Report[3] also found ‘low occurrence’ of detecting landing obligation infringements, while a recent report by the European Climate, Infrastructure and Environment Executive Agency[4] found ‘ineffective monitoring and enforcement’ of this rule at Member State level.
Considering the above:
1.Did the Commission receive any evidence that the identified non-compliance was corrected before closing the five cases?
2.Has it since verified that compliance has improved in the Member States concerned?
Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Don Bacon (2nd District of Nebraska)
Bacon, Tonko, Fitzpatrick, and Markey Introduce Community Mental Wellness & Resilience Act
Bipartisan legislation bolsters mental wellness & resilience to traumas caused by natural disasters
WASHINGTON, DC — Representatives Don Bacon (R-NE), Paul D. Tonko (D-NY), Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA), and Senator Edward Markey (D-MA) today reintroduced H.R. 4744, the Community Mental Wellness & Resilience Act, a bipartisan bill that tackles the nation’s mental health crisis by addressing the extensive community trauma caused by natural disasters. This innovative legislation will empower communities through a new federal grant program to craft their own locally specific responses to the mental health problems caused by disasters and toxic stresses.
“The mental health crisis affecting our communities is one of the most serious challenges of our time. We need comprehensive, community-driven solutions that empower local leaders to develop and implement programs that work for their specific needs,”said Congressman Don Bacon.“The bipartisan Community Mental Wellness and Resilience Act puts the power back in the hands of our communities to create meaningful, lasting change in mental health care.”
“Extreme weather disasters don’t just wreak havoc on our homes, economies, and infrastructure — they inflict lasting trauma and mental harm for those both directly impacted and far beyond the affected area,” Congressman Tonko said. “We need to provide compassionate, evidence-informed solutions to support our communities. That’s why I’m leading this bipartisan legislation in partnership with my colleagues. We’ll continue working to further mental wellness and equip our communities with the resources they need to meet and overcome these traumas.”
“Communities are struggling to meet the current need for mental health services, and as the climate crisis worsens, unprecedented disasters will only cause more unprecedented harm to our physical and mental health,”said Senator Markey.“Heat waves, flash floods, wildfires, and droughts leave devastation and trauma in their wake. My Community Mental Wellness and Resilience Act would give communities the help they need to protect residents’ mental health, especially those in rural and underserved communities that are getting hit first and worst by disasters and have the fewest resources to deal with them.”
“For too long, our disaster response has focused solely on physical recovery, while the mental and emotional toll has gone unaddressed. This bipartisan legislation corrects that imbalance by treating mental health as a core component of our public health and emergency preparedness strategy. By investing in evidence-based, community-driven solutions, we’re not just helping communities rebuild—we’re helping them heal,” said Congressman Brian Fitzpatrick.
In 2024, Mental Health America reported that nearly 23 percent of U.S. adults (~60 million people) experienced a diagnosed mental illness, with more than 5 percent facing severe conditions. Natural disasters only exacerbate the problem. Consequently, the number of people who experience a mental health problem as a result of a natural disaster often outweigh those with physical injuries by 40 to 1.
The Community Mental Wellness and Resilience Act will:
Establish a competitive grant program at the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to create, operate, or expand community-based programs that use a public health approach to build mental wellness and resilience
These programs will work to enhance the capacity of all residents for mental wellness and resilience to prevent and heal mental health problems generated by disasters and toxic stresses
Incorporates a set-aside to help address rural mental health disparities
Community initiatives will build their own strategies to enhance and sustain population-level mental wellness and resilience, with specific attention to high-risk individuals
More than 110 organizations support Rep. Tonko’s legislation, including: Alliance of Nurses for Healthy Environments, American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, American Lung Association, American Psychiatric Association, American Public Health Association, International Transformational Resilience Coalition, Mental Health America, Moms Clean Air Force, National Association of Pediatric Nurse Practitioners, National Association of Social Workers, National League for Nursing, Rural Opportunity Institute, The Kennedy Forum, and YMCA of the USA.
A full list of supporting organizations and their quotes can be found HERE.
A fact sheet on the legislation can be found HERE.
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4
The Secretary for Environment and Ecology, Mr Tse Chin-wan, and officials of the Environment and Ecology Bureau visited Shenzhen today (July 24) to learn more about its charging infrastructure.
Mr Tse first visited Huawei Digital Power Technologies Co, Ltd to learn more about the company’s latest developments on supercharging, energy storage, automatic charging for electric vehicles (EV), and the latest carbon reduction solutions offered to the market.
Mr Tse then visited the Development and Reform Commission of Shenzhen Municipality to exchange views with officials of the Commission and representatives of new energy enterprises to better understand the latest developments of charging infrastructure in Shenzhen. Mr Tse expressed that Shenzhen’s latest developments and successful experiences in EV charging facilities provide valuable references for Hong Kong and inspire new ideas for the future development of Hong Kong’s charging facilities. He also expressed the hope that Hong Kong and Shenzhen will continue to strengthen exchanges and co-operation to jointly promote ecological civilisation construction and regional green and low-carbon development in the Greater Bay Area.
In the afternoon, Mr Tse visited the Lianhuashan Supercharging Station. This site integrates photovoltaic storage supercharging and vehicle-to-grid technology in one public supercharging demonstration station, with a maximum charging power of up to 600 kilowatts and supports high-power reverse discharge back to the grid.
Mr Tse also visited the government car park at the Futian District Committee Compound. The project is a demonstration point that combines solar power generation, power storage and supercharging services. Integrating intelligent low-carbon technology, high-energy efficiency and architectural aesthetics, it is equipped with a liquid-cooled supercharging system and an intelligent energy storage system, generating an annual average solar power output of 500 000 kilowatt hours. 　　 Mr Tse returned to Hong Kong this evening.
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4
A spokesperson for the Environment and Ecology Bureau (EEB) stated that regarding the judgment handed down by the Court of First Instance yesterday (July 23) on the judicial review concerning the provisions related to segregation of the sexes under the Public Conveniences (Conduct and Behaviour) Regulation (Cap. 132BL), the Government is carefully studying the judgment and seeking legal advice, and is considering lodging an appeal. At present, members of the public must continue to enter public toilets according to the principle of segregation of the sexes to avoid contravening the relevant laws.
The spokesperson for the EEB said, “The establishment of sex-segregated public toilets under the Public Conveniences (Conduct and Behaviour) Regulation aims to protect the privacy and safety of the public when using public toilets, and to reflect social norms and expectations. This arrangement has been widely accepted by society.”
Currently, public toilets under the purview of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) are categorised into sex-segregated public toilets and gender neutral public toilets. Sex-segregated toilets follow the segregation of the sexes under the Public Conveniences (Conduct and Behaviour) Regulation. At the same time, gender-neutral toilets are available near about half of all sex-segregated toilets , including “Accessible Toilets” or “Unisex Toilets”, which are available for use by all members of the public, including transgender individuals.
In this judicial review, the Court of First Instance ordered that the provisions related to segregation of the sexes under the Public Conveniences (Conduct and Behaviour) Regulation shall be struck down, and suspended the execution of the order for 12 months to allow the Government time to address the matter of transgender individuals with gender identity disorder using FEHD public toilets. As indicated above, the Government is carefully studying the judgment and seeking legal advice, and is considering lodging an appeal.
The human impact of these events alone is unfathomable. The economic price tag in the aftermath is growing ever larger. In 2024 alone, NOAA documented 27 weather or climate disaster events with losses exceeding $1 billion, leading to $184.8 billion in total damages and 568 deaths.
While climate disasters are costing us billions we don’t have, the oil and gas industry is comfortably earning trillions. In 2023, the industry earned an estimated $2.7 trillion in income globally.
Corporate and political elites across the world have foolishly wasted decades on inaction, delay and expensive propaganda. In truth, delaying the necessary reductions in planet warming pollution is similar to refusing to pay your credit card when it is due. Before too long, the penalties and interest charges start piling up, and you can find yourself in a real mess.
Our climate bill is overdue, but the fossil fuel industry is doing everything they can to avoid paying. They want to avoid any liability for their actions, all the while pushing the rising costs off on to taxpayers; or energy ratepayers; or just ordinary families stuck with higher bills, an unhealthy environment, looming climate hazards, and a failing insurance market.
This is unjust and unacceptable. We have to make the polluters pay.
All The Ways that Fossil Fuels Take Money Out of Your Pocket
Over and over, the media and politicians have conditioned us to think that protecting the environment is a “luxury” that sadly we just can’t afford – as if a healthy biosphere that sustains life could ever be separated from “the economy.” The reality is just the opposite: saving the planet is a bargain compared to the insanely expensive climate crisis.
Fossil fuels and climate change are forcing us to spend top-dollar in multiple ways.
Direct Climate Impacts. Climate science has established that climate change is driving numerous impacts both in the U.S. and around the globe – from sea-level rise to heat waves to a melting Arctic. A 2023 report from the U.S. Treasury focused on three impacts that could harm the household finances of Americans in certain parts of the county: flooding, wildfire, and exposure to high heat.
The Treasury report found that these climate hazards can destroy property and public infrastructure, close businesses and eliminate jobs, spike gas and energy prices, interfere with banking and emergency services, and send people to the hospital. Public polling shows that more than one-third of U.S. adults say they have been affected by an extreme weather event in the past 2 years.
To top it all off, it is becoming increasingly clear that climate change is driving the insurance market toward collapse.
Insurance Collapse
Donald Trump may not believe in climate change, but your insurance company sure does. Insurance companies can’t afford to be blinded by climate denier propaganda, which is why real, physical climate damages are now being reflected in insurance premiums and decisions about coverage.
Data from the insurance industry suggests that from 2002 to 2022, over one-third of insurance losses (or $600 billion) were attributed to climate change, and that those losses were increasing. One recent study predicts that climate change could reduce American home values by a staggering $1.47 trillion over the next 30 years – with the losses concentrated in places with the largest climate impacts. As climate impacts expand, even places that were once dubbed “climate havens” are no longer safe from harm.
Industry insiders are warning that if temperatures continue to rise, the insurance industry will simply be unable to offer coverage for many risks, which would then spread through other parts of the economy. For example, if you cannot get insurance on a house, you probably can’t get a mortgage either. This could lead to “a systemic risk that threatens the very foundation of the financial sector” in the words of one expert. Such a scenario could also lead to large migration of people away from the uninsurable parts of the country.
We are already seeing parts of this dynamic play out in California. The January 2025 California fires will likely be the most expensive disaster in American history, with insured losses costing as much as $75 billion and total losses potentially greater than $250 billion. As a result, insurers have requested large rate hikes or have left the state entirely, leaving the state-run FAIR plan as the only option for many.
Good News, We’ve Found the Culprits
We don’t have to scour the planet to figure out who is to blame for these mounting crises. Independent researcher Rick Heede and colleagues have created a database ranking which coal, oil and gas corporations and state-owned companies are responsible for the majority of historic carbon emissions. Topping the list are the former U.S.S.R. and China’s coal production, but the corporations Saudi Aramco, Chevron and ExxonMobil take the #3, #4 and #5 spots on the list.
Peer-reviewed studies have taken the next step to actually attribute certain climate impacts to specific climate polluters. Studies have linked these corporate polluters to a rise in CO2 and surface temperature, sea-level rise, ocean acidification, wildfire risk, and more. A recent study has even outlined a methodology to establish “an ‘end-to-end’ attribution that links fossil fuel producers to specific damages from warming.”
At the federal level, the Trump administration is busy firing scientists, illegally ending grants, halting data collection, and reversing what progress we have made on fighting climate pollution. But even while the federal government refuses to show true climate leadership, states and local governments have an opportunity to keep hope alive for climate sanity. States such as Vermont and New York have begun passing laws to make polluters pay directly. Sometimes called “climate superfund” laws, the idea is to impose a fee, or a climate damage tax, on fossil fuel companies in order to fund needed climate adaptation programs. Other states like California, New Jersey, and Oregon have similar pieces of legislation moving through their State Congresses.
No Polluter Pardons
These lawsuits and state laws are gaining momentum, so naturally, these corporate cronies are doing everything they can to shirk their responsibilities. The fossil fuel industry may attempt to slip some form of “immunity” from liability into must-pass legislation, similar to the shield law that protects gun manufacturers.
People in positions of power, like President Trump, are even going a step further and doing what they can to shield polluters from scrutiny. Trump issued an Executive Order to protect fossil fuels against state overreach, and even directed the DOJ to try to block these lawsuits and laws in court. And infuriatingly, Trump recently eliminated NOAA’s database of climate disasters, depriving us of even basic information about the crisis. Moves like these can try to obscure the consequences of climate chaos, but they cannot erase real pain and suffering felt by communities experiencing these disasters.
It’s time we stand together, hold these brazen culprits accountable and demand they pay for the damage they’ve caused. Take action with us and sign the Polluters Pay Pact today.
Source: United States Senator for Virginia Tim Kaine
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senators Mark R. Warner and Tim Kaine (both D-VA) issued the following statement after the House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs voted to approve updated authorizations for 18 Veterans Affairs (VA) major medical facility leases – the final congressional committee needed to greenlight the leases, including one for a proposed outpatient clinic in Hampton Roads:
“We’re very pleased that all four congressional committees have now approved these much-needed VA leases, including the proposed new outpatient clinic in Hampton Roads. This is a major step forward in expanding access to high-quality, convenient care for the more than 60 percent of Hampton VA Medical Center patients who live on the south side of the region. For years, we’ve pushed to get these kinds of facilities authorized and built, because we refuse to accept a system where veterans are stuck with long wait times or forced to travel hours for basic appointments. With this final vote, we are one step closer to ensuring these long-overdue facilities become a reality.
“Now that the leases have cleared every hurdle in Congress, we’ll be pushing the VA and GSA to award these leases, and make sure these projects get off the ground without delay. Our veterans have waited long enough.”
While these leases were originally authorized under the PACT Act, which both senators strongly supported, updated cost estimates and rent bids prompted the VA and the General Services Administration (GSA) to seek reauthorization from four congressional committees. With yesterday’s action by the House Veterans’ Affairs Committee, the leases have now been reauthorized by all four needed committees: the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works, the Senate Committee on Veterans’ Affairs, the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, and the House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs.
Warner and Kaine have long fought to expand health care and benefits for Virginia’s nearly 700,000 veterans. Warner and Kaine began raising the alarm about the significant backlog of unapproved VA leases in 2016. After putting significant pressure on officials across the federal government, Congress unanimously passed the Providing Veterans Overdue Care Act, legislation written by Warner and supported by Kaine, to cut the backlog and get over two dozen delayed VA medical facilities’ leases approved.
Source: United States Senator for Maine Susan Collins
Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Susan Collins, Chair of the Appropriations Committee, announced that she secured significant funding and provisions for Maine in the Fiscal Year (FY) 2026 Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act. The bill, which was officially approved by the Senate Appropriations Committee today, now awaits consideration by the full Senate and House.
The measure, which was advanced by a vote of 26-2, provides $38.6 billion in nondefense discretionary funding.
“This legislation would provide important investments in Maine’s public lands, national parks, and tribal programs. It would promote healthy and resilient communities by supporting critical infrastructure that would help to provide clean drinking water and mitigate increasing flood risks,” said Senator Collins. “As the Chair of the Appropriations Committee, I will continue to advance this funding as the appropriations process moves forward.”
Bill Highlights:
Local Projects: Nearly $68 million for Congressionally Directed Spending projects in Maine.
Spruce Budworm Treatment: $10 million for the U.S. Forest Service to provide assistance to states for an emerging spruce budworm outbreak approaching the northeastern border. Last year, Senator Collins secured $14 million to help combat the spread of spruce budworm in Maine forests in disaster relief legislation.
Carbon Neutrality of Biomass: Includes a provision that recognizes biomass as carbon neutral across federal agencies.
Brownfields Grants: $25.7 million for the Brownfields Projects Grant, as well as $46.3 million for Brownfields Categorical Grants.
Wild and Scenic Rivers Program: $5.6 million for the Wild and Scenic Rivers Program at the National Park Service, which includes an increase in funding for the York River Wild and Scenic Program, bringing their total to $300,000.
Clean Water and Drinking Water State Revolving Funds (SRF): $2.8 billion for the Clean Water SRF and the Drinking Water SRF.
Community Wood Energy Program: $15 million for the Community Wood Energy Program, a competitive grant program that supports the installation of wood energy systems and wood product manufacturing facilities.
Water System PFAS Support Funding: $116 million for EPA’s Public Water System Supervision categorical grant programs, which provides PFAS cleanup assistance to state drinking water programs.
Staffing at National Wildlife Refuges: $525.5 million and report language directing the Refuge system to fill vacant positions in Maine.
Rural Water Technical Assistance Grant Program: $30.7 million and the continuation of report language directing that funding be awarded competitively.
Northeastern States Research Cooperative (NSRC): $6 million for the NSRC. A collaboration among universities in Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, and New York, the NSRC sponsors research to sustain the health of northern forest ecosystems and communities, to develop new forest products, improve forest biodiversity management, and to establish a Digital Forestry Systems Research Consortium.
National Estuary Program (NEP): $40 million for the NEP. The Casco Bay Estuary Partnership and Piscataqua Region Estuaries are members of the NEP.
Community Forest and Open Space Conservation Program: $6 million for this program, which provides support to tribes, local governments, and qualifying nonprofits for fee purchase of forestlands to convert to community forests.
This funding advanced through the markup of the FY 2026 Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Appropriations bill—an important step that now allows the bill to be considered by the full Senate. Committee consideration of legislation is a key part of regular order, which helps our government function efficiently and deliver results for the people of Maine and America.
Source: United States Senator John Hickenlooper – Colorado
WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Senators John Hickenlooper and John Curtis introduced the bipartisan Snow Water Supply Forecasting Program Reauthorization Act of 2025 to help better predict and measure water supply to manage drought in the West, including on the Colorado River. Tomorrow, July 25th, is Colorado River Day, which celebrates the day when the river was officially renamed to the Colorado River in 1921.
“You can’t manage what you can’t measure,” said Hickenlooper. “Snowmelt is Colorado’s largest reservoir. Leveraging advanced snow monitoring tech will give us more accurate water predictions and unlock a better understanding of how to make the most of our water in an era of extreme drought.”
“In the West, water is everything—our economy, our communities, and our way of life depend on it,” said Curtis. “This bill brings 21st century tools to one of the oldest challenges we face: knowing how much water we’ll have and when. By reauthorizing this program, we’re embracing new technology like airborne snow surveys and advanced modeling to give our water managers the clarity they need to prepare, allocate, and respond.”
More than 80% of Colorado’s annual surface water supply comes from snowmelt runoff. Accurate measurements of snowpack are necessary to have a clear picture of the snowmelt that feeds rivers and streams across the West.
The bipartisan legislation would reauthorize the Bureau of Reclamation’s (BOR) Snow Water Supply Forecasting Program which provides grants to advance emerging snow monitoring technology that improve water supply predictions.
Specifically, the bill would:
Reauthorize BOR’s Snow Water Supply Forecasting Program through 2031
Increase authorization from $15 million over five years to $32.5 million over five years
Update language in existing authorization to emphasize water supply forecasting activities that inform interstate water management decisions
Yesterday, Representatives Joe Neguse and Jeff Hurd’s companion legislation advanced out of the House Committee on Natural Resources.
As governor, Hickenlooper helped negotiate the 2019 Colorado River Basin Drought Contingency Plan, which helped protect critical levels at Lake Powell and Lake Mead and ensured continued compliance with the 1922 Colorado River Compact. In the Senate, Hickenlooper convened the bipartisan Colorado River Caucus to help address the Colorado River crisis.
The bipartisan Snow Water Supply Forecasting Program Reauthorization Act of 2025 is supported by American Rivers, the Southwestern Water Conservation District, Colorado River District, Denver Water, Colorado Department of Natural Resources, Colorado Water Congress, Colorado Municipal League, Associated Governments of Northwest Colorado, the Environmental Defense Fund, The Nature Conservancy, the National Ski Areas Association, the Family Farm Alliance, the National Audubon Society, and the Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership.
Full text of the bill available HERE.
Source: United States Senator for Commonwealth of Virginia Mark R Warner
WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Sens. Mark R. Warner and Tim Kaine (both D-VA) issued the following statement after the House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs voted to approve updated authorizations for 18 Veterans Affairs (VA) major medical facility leases – the final congressional committee needed to greenlight the leases, including one for a proposed outpatient clinic in Hampton Roads:
“We’re very pleased that all four congressional committees have now approved these much-needed VA leases, including the proposed new outpatient clinic in Hampton Roads. This is a major step forward in expanding access to high-quality, convenient care for the more than 60 percent of Hampton VA Medical Center patients who live on the south side of the region. For years, we’ve pushed to get these kinds of facilities authorized and built, because we refuse to accept a system where veterans are stuck with long wait times or forced to travel hours for basic appointments. With this final vote, we are one step closer to ensuring these long-overdue facilities become a reality.
“Now that the leases have cleared every hurdle in Congress, we’ll be pushing the VA and GSA to award these leases, and make sure these projects get off the ground without delay. Our veterans have waited long enough.”
While these leases were originally authorized under the PACT Act, which both senators strongly supported, updated cost estimates and rent bids prompted the VA and the General Services Administration (GSA) to seek reauthorization from four congressional committees. With yesterday’s action by the House Veterans’ Affairs Committee, the leases have now been reauthorized by all four needed committees: the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works, the Senate Committee on Veterans’ Affairs, the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, and the House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs.
Sens. Warner and Kaine have long fought to expand health care and benefits for Virginia’s nearly 700,000 veterans. Sens. Warner and Kaine began raising the alarm about the significant backlog of unapproved VA leases in 2016. After putting significant pressure on officials across the federal government, Congress unanimously passed the Providing Veterans Overdue Care Act, legislation written by Sen. Warner and supported by Sen. Kaine, to cut the backlog and get over two dozen delayed VA medical facilities’ leases approved.
Source: United States Senator for Commonwealth of Virginia Mark R Warner
WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Sens. Mark R. Warner and Tim Kaine (both D-VA) issued the following statement after the House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs voted to approve updated authorizations for 18 Veterans Affairs (VA) major medical facility leases – the final congressional committee needed to greenlight the leases, including one for a proposed outpatient clinic in Hampton Roads:
“We’re very pleased that all four congressional committees have now approved these much-needed VA leases, including the proposed new outpatient clinic in Hampton Roads. This is a major step forward in expanding access to high-quality, convenient care for the more than 60 percent of Hampton VA Medical Center patients who live on the south side of the region. For years, we’ve pushed to get these kinds of facilities authorized and built, because we refuse to accept a system where veterans are stuck with long wait times or forced to travel hours for basic appointments. With this final vote, we are one step closer to ensuring these long-overdue facilities become a reality.
“Now that the leases have cleared every hurdle in Congress, we’ll be pushing the VA and GSA to award these leases, and make sure these projects get off the ground without delay. Our veterans have waited long enough.”
While these leases were originally authorized under the PACT Act, which both senators strongly supported, updated cost estimates and rent bids prompted the VA and the General Services Administration (GSA) to seek reauthorization from four congressional committees. With yesterday’s action by the House Veterans’ Affairs Committee, the leases have now been reauthorized by all four needed committees:the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works, the Senate Committee on Veterans’ Affairs, the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, and the House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs.
Sens. Warner and Kaine have long fought to expand health care and benefits for Virginia’s nearly 700,000 veterans. Sens. Warner and Kaine began raising the alarm about the significant backlog of unapproved VA leases in 2016. After putting significant pressure on officials across the federal government, Congress unanimously passed the Providing Veterans Overdue Care Act, legislation written by Sen. Warner and supported by Sen. Kaine, to cut the backlog and get over two dozen delayed VA medical facilities’ leases approved.
Source: United States Senator for Commonwealth of Virginia Mark R Warner
WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Sens. Mark R. Warner and Tim Kaine (both D-VA) issued the following statement after the House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs voted to approve updated authorizations for 18 Veterans Affairs (VA) major medical facility leases – the final congressional committee needed to greenlight the leases, including one for a proposed outpatient clinic in Hampton Roads:
“We’re very pleased that all four congressional committees have now approved these much-needed VA leases, including the proposed new outpatient clinic in Hampton Roads. This is a major step forward in expanding access to high-quality, convenient care for the more than 60 percent of Hampton VA Medical Center patients who live on the south side of the region. For years, we’ve pushed to get these kinds of facilities authorized and built, because we refuse to accept a system where veterans are stuck with long wait times or forced to travel hours for basic appointments. With this final vote, we are one step closer to ensuring these long-overdue facilities become a reality.
“Now that the leases have cleared every hurdle in Congress, we’ll be pushing the VA and GSA to award these leases, and make sure these projects get off the ground without delay. Our veterans have waited long enough.”
While these leases were originally authorized under the PACT Act, which both senators strongly supported, updated cost estimates and rent bids prompted the VA and the General Services Administration (GSA) to seek reauthorization from four congressional committees. With yesterday’s action by the House Veterans’ Affairs Committee, the leases have now been reauthorized by all four needed committees:the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works, the Senate Committee on Veterans’ Affairs, the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, and the House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs.
Sens. Warner and Kaine have long fought to expand health care and benefits for Virginia’s nearly 700,000 veterans. Sens. Warner and Kaine began raising the alarm about the significant backlog of unapproved VA leases in 2016. After putting significant pressure on officials across the federal government, Congress unanimously passed the Providing Veterans Overdue Care Act, legislation written by Sen. Warner and supported by Sen. Kaine, to cut the backlog and get over two dozen delayed VA medical facilities’ leases approved.
Source: United States Senator for Commonwealth of Virginia Mark R Warner
WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Sens. Mark R. Warner and Tim Kaine (both D-VA) issued the following statement after the House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs voted to approve updated authorizations for 18 Veterans Affairs (VA) major medical facility leases – the final congressional committee needed to greenlight the leases, including one for a proposed outpatient clinic in Hampton Roads:
“We’re very pleased that all four congressional committees have now approved these much-needed VA leases, including the proposed new outpatient clinic in Hampton Roads. This is a major step forward in expanding access to high-quality, convenient care for the more than 60 percent of Hampton VA Medical Center patients who live on the south side of the region. For years, we’ve pushed to get these kinds of facilities authorized and built, because we refuse to accept a system where veterans are stuck with long wait times or forced to travel hours for basic appointments. With this final vote, we are one step closer to ensuring these long-overdue facilities become a reality.
“Now that the leases have cleared every hurdle in Congress, we’ll be pushing the VA and GSA to award these leases, and make sure these projects get off the ground without delay. Our veterans have waited long enough.”
While these leases were originally authorized under the PACT Act, which both senators strongly supported, updated cost estimates and rent bids prompted the VA and the General Services Administration (GSA) to seek reauthorization from four congressional committees. With yesterday’s action by the House Veterans’ Affairs Committee, the leases have now been reauthorized by all four needed committees:the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works, the Senate Committee on Veterans’ Affairs, the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, and the House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs.
Sens. Warner and Kaine have long fought to expand health care and benefits for Virginia’s nearly 700,000 veterans. Sens. Warner and Kaine began raising the alarm about the significant backlog of unapproved VA leases in 2016. After putting significant pressure on officials across the federal government, Congress unanimously passed the Providing Veterans Overdue Care Act, legislation written by Sen. Warner and supported by Sen. Kaine, to cut the backlog and get over two dozen delayed VA medical facilities’ leases approved.
Source: United States Senator for Commonwealth of Virginia Mark R Warner
WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Sens. Mark R. Warner and Tim Kaine (both D-VA) issued the following statement after the House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs voted to approve updated authorizations for 18 Veterans Affairs (VA) major medical facility leases – the final congressional committee needed to greenlight the leases, including one for a proposed outpatient clinic in Hampton Roads:
“We’re very pleased that all four congressional committees have now approved these much-needed VA leases, including the proposed new outpatient clinic in Hampton Roads. This is a major step forward in expanding access to high-quality, convenient care for the more than 60 percent of Hampton VA Medical Center patients who live on the south side of the region. For years, we’ve pushed to get these kinds of facilities authorized and built, because we refuse to accept a system where veterans are stuck with long wait times or forced to travel hours for basic appointments. With this final vote, we are one step closer to ensuring these long-overdue facilities become a reality.
“Now that the leases have cleared every hurdle in Congress, we’ll be pushing the VA and GSA to award these leases, and make sure these projects get off the ground without delay. Our veterans have waited long enough.”
While these leases were originally authorized under the PACT Act, which both senators strongly supported, updated cost estimates and rent bids prompted the VA and the General Services Administration (GSA) to seek reauthorization from four congressional committees. With yesterday’s action by the House Veterans’ Affairs Committee, the leases have now been reauthorized by all four needed committees:the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works, the Senate Committee on Veterans’ Affairs, the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, and the House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs.
Sens. Warner and Kaine have long fought to expand health care and benefits for Virginia’s nearly 700,000 veterans. Sens. Warner and Kaine began raising the alarm about the significant backlog of unapproved VA leases in 2016. After putting significant pressure on officials across the federal government, Congress unanimously passed the Providing Veterans Overdue Care Act, legislation written by Sen. Warner and supported by Sen. Kaine, to cut the backlog and get over two dozen delayed VA medical facilities’ leases approved.
Source: United States Senator for Commonwealth of Virginia Mark R Warner
WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Sens. Mark R. Warner and Tim Kaine (both D-VA) issued the following statement after the House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs voted to approve updated authorizations for 18 Veterans Affairs (VA) major medical facility leases – the final congressional committee needed to greenlight the leases, including one for a proposed outpatient clinic in Hampton Roads:
“We’re very pleased that all four congressional committees have now approved these much-needed VA leases, including the proposed new outpatient clinic in Hampton Roads. This is a major step forward in expanding access to high-quality, convenient care for the more than 60 percent of Hampton VA Medical Center patients who live on the south side of the region. For years, we’ve pushed to get these kinds of facilities authorized and built, because we refuse to accept a system where veterans are stuck with long wait times or forced to travel hours for basic appointments. With this final vote, we are one step closer to ensuring these long-overdue facilities become a reality.
“Now that the leases have cleared every hurdle in Congress, we’ll be pushing the VA and GSA to award these leases, and make sure these projects get off the ground without delay. Our veterans have waited long enough.”
While these leases were originally authorized under the PACT Act, which both senators strongly supported, updated cost estimates and rent bids prompted the VA and the General Services Administration (GSA) to seek reauthorization from four congressional committees. With yesterday’s action by the House Veterans’ Affairs Committee, the leases have now been reauthorized by all four needed committees:the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works, the Senate Committee on Veterans’ Affairs, the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, and the House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs.
Sens. Warner and Kaine have long fought to expand health care and benefits for Virginia’s nearly 700,000 veterans. Sens. Warner and Kaine began raising the alarm about the significant backlog of unapproved VA leases in 2016. After putting significant pressure on officials across the federal government, Congress unanimously passed the Providing Veterans Overdue Care Act, legislation written by Sen. Warner and supported by Sen. Kaine, to cut the backlog and get over two dozen delayed VA medical facilities’ leases approved.
Source: United States Senator for Commonwealth of Virginia Mark R Warner
WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Sens. Mark R. Warner and Tim Kaine (both D-VA) issued the following statement after the House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs voted to approve updated authorizations for 18 Veterans Affairs (VA) major medical facility leases – the final congressional committee needed to greenlight the leases, including one for a proposed outpatient clinic in Hampton Roads:
“We’re very pleased that all four congressional committees have now approved these much-needed VA leases, including the proposed new outpatient clinic in Hampton Roads. This is a major step forward in expanding access to high-quality, convenient care for the more than 60 percent of Hampton VA Medical Center patients who live on the south side of the region. For years, we’ve pushed to get these kinds of facilities authorized and built, because we refuse to accept a system where veterans are stuck with long wait times or forced to travel hours for basic appointments. With this final vote, we are one step closer to ensuring these long-overdue facilities become a reality.
“Now that the leases have cleared every hurdle in Congress, we’ll be pushing the VA and GSA to award these leases, and make sure these projects get off the ground without delay. Our veterans have waited long enough.”
While these leases were originally authorized under the PACT Act, which both senators strongly supported, updated cost estimates and rent bids prompted the VA and the General Services Administration (GSA) to seek reauthorization from four congressional committees. With yesterday’s action by the House Veterans’ Affairs Committee, the leases have now been reauthorized by all four needed committees:the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works, the Senate Committee on Veterans’ Affairs, the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, and the House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs.
Sens. Warner and Kaine have long fought to expand health care and benefits for Virginia’s nearly 700,000 veterans. Sens. Warner and Kaine began raising the alarm about the significant backlog of unapproved VA leases in 2016. After putting significant pressure on officials across the federal government, Congress unanimously passed the Providing Veterans Overdue Care Act, legislation written by Sen. Warner and supported by Sen. Kaine, to cut the backlog and get over two dozen delayed VA medical facilities’ leases approved.
Source: United States Senator for Commonwealth of Virginia Mark R Warner
WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Sens. Mark R. Warner and Tim Kaine (both D-VA) issued the following statement after the House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs voted to approve updated authorizations for 18 Veterans Affairs (VA) major medical facility leases – the final congressional committee needed to greenlight the leases, including one for a proposed outpatient clinic in Hampton Roads:
“We’re very pleased that all four congressional committees have now approved these much-needed VA leases, including the proposed new outpatient clinic in Hampton Roads. This is a major step forward in expanding access to high-quality, convenient care for the more than 60 percent of Hampton VA Medical Center patients who live on the south side of the region. For years, we’ve pushed to get these kinds of facilities authorized and built, because we refuse to accept a system where veterans are stuck with long wait times or forced to travel hours for basic appointments. With this final vote, we are one step closer to ensuring these long-overdue facilities become a reality.
“Now that the leases have cleared every hurdle in Congress, we’ll be pushing the VA and GSA to award these leases, and make sure these projects get off the ground without delay. Our veterans have waited long enough.”
While these leases were originally authorized under the PACT Act, which both senators strongly supported, updated cost estimates and rent bids prompted the VA and the General Services Administration (GSA) to seek reauthorization from four congressional committees. With yesterday’s action by the House Veterans’ Affairs Committee, the leases have now been reauthorized by all four needed committees:the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works, the Senate Committee on Veterans’ Affairs, the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, and the House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs.
Sens. Warner and Kaine have long fought to expand health care and benefits for Virginia’s nearly 700,000 veterans. Sens. Warner and Kaine began raising the alarm about the significant backlog of unapproved VA leases in 2016. After putting significant pressure on officials across the federal government, Congress unanimously passed the Providing Veterans Overdue Care Act, legislation written by Sen. Warner and supported by Sen. Kaine, to cut the backlog and get over two dozen delayed VA medical facilities’ leases approved.
Consultation opens on Angus Fire permit application
Angus Fire Limited has applied to the Environment Agency to vary its environmental permit to reduce chemical contamination on its site at High Bentham.
The operator has applied to vary the permit to introduce an effluent treatment plant.
Previously, Angus Fire manufactured and tested firefighting foam. This foam is known to have contained per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). These PFAS chemicals are transferred into rainwater when it falls on to key areas of the site.
Angus Fire has been collecting this rainwater so it can be treated to reduce the PFAS substances.
The application is for an effluent treatment plant to reduce the PFAS in both the collected rainwater and the future rainwater that falls onto the site.
The operator no longer manufacturers firefighting foam at its High Bentham site. The application is for treating rainwater to reduce PFAS chemicals from the site’s previous manufacturing processes.
The Environment Agency is now seeking views from the local community and interested groups on the application.
The consultation will run from Thursday 24 July until Thursday 21 August 2025.
The website explains what the Environment Agency can and can’t take into account when deciding on the application.
Agency ‘welcomes comments from the public’
John Neville, Area Environment Manager at the Environment Agency, said:
Our regulatory controls are in place to protect people and the environment and we will carry out a detailed and robust assessment of Angus Fire’s permit variation application.
We welcome comments from the public and interested groups on local environmental factors that people feel are important.
Once treated at the effluent plant, the rainwater would be discharged to the River Wenning.
The proposed level of PFAS remaining in the treated rainwater discharged into the river would be in line with levels currently accepted as best practice for PFAS treatment processes.
The Environment Agency may only refuse a permit application if it does not meet one or more of the legal requirements under environmental legislation.
If the application shows that the site can operate in a way that meets all current environmental regulations and will provide a high level of protection of the environment and human health, the Environment Agency is legally obliged to issue a permit.
Responses to the consultation can be made electronically. To access the relevant documentation, visit our consultation website
Information on the website explains how you can view the consultation documents and how you can make your comments. We also explain what we can and can’t take into account when deciding on the application.
Anyone wishing to comment on the proposals is urged to read the documentation online before responding directly on the website or by email to pscpublicresponse@environment-agency.gov.uk
Those unable to make representation via the consultation website or by email should contact the Environment Agency on 03708 506 506.
Environmental permits
Environmental permits set out strict legal conditions by which an operator must comply in order to protect people and the environment. Should an environmental permit be issued, the Environment Agency has responsibility for enforcing its conditions.
Our powers include enforcement notices, suspension and revocation of permits, fines and ultimately criminal sanctions, including prosecution.
We may only refuse a permit if it does not meet one or more of the legal requirements under environmental legislation, including if it will have a significant impact on the environment or harm human health. If all the requirements are met, we are legally required to issue a permit.
WASHINGTON—This week, the House Committee on Appropriations voted to advance the Fiscal Year 2026 Interior, Environment and Related Agencies Appropriations Bill. Idaho Congressman Mike Simpson–Chairman of the House Interior and Environment Appropriations Subcommittee–authored language to prohibit any funds to approve construction activities related to the out-of-touch Lava Ridge Wind Project from being obligated unless and until the Secretary of the Interior has completed a review of the Department of the Interior’s Record of Decision. “After four years of an administration that ignored the voices of Idahoans and downplayed their concerns, President Biden’s BLM tried, and failed, to ram through the out-of-touch Lava Ridge Wind Project,” said Rep. Simpson. “Like many Idahoans, I am grateful that President Trump signed an executive order to kill this project on Day One. As Chairman of the House Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Appropriations Subcommittee, my goal is to ensure that no future renewable wind project gets as close to implementation as the Lava Ridge Wind Project did. Now that we have an administration that has our backs, I am confident that Secretary Burgum understands Idahoans expect more out of the use of our public lands. The language included in my bill goes hand-in-hand with President Trump’s executive order. I look forward to working with the administration toward common-sense solutions.” Text of Rep. Simpson’s provision: None one of the funds made available by this Act may be obligated or expended for the purpose of processing or approving any notice to proceed with any construction activities relating to the Lava Ridge Wind Project right-of-way authorization unless and until the Secretary of the Interior has completed a review of the Department of the Interior’s Record of Decision authorizing the use of public lands through the Lava Ridge Wind Project right-of-way and, as appropriate, conducted a new, comprehensive analysis in accordance with Section 2(b) of the Presidential Memorandum titled ‘‘Temporary Withdrawal of All Areas on the Outer Continental Shelf from Offshore Wind Leasing and Review of the Federal Government’s Leasing and Permitting Practices for Wind Projects,’’ dated January 20, 2025. Rep. Simpson’s Previous Actions Against the Lava Ridge Wind Project Rep. Simpson has been a strong vocal opponent of the Lava Ridge Wind Project and most recently authored language in the 118th Congress that blocked the final Environmental Impact Statement for the Lava Ridge Wind Project. Rep. Simpson also made an initial attempt to block the project by authoring language—passed by Congress and signed into law by the President—directing the Department of the Interior to reengage and incorporate feedback from the stakeholders on alternative plans before moving forward with Lava Ridge. The Department failed to meet the language requirements of that law. Additionally, Rep. Simpson questioned BLM Director Tracy Stone-Manning on the proposed Lava Ridge Wind Project on public lands in Magic Valley, Idaho, and if the pressure to increase renewable energy trumps the impacts on species and cultural sites. Rep. Simpson and the Idaho Delegation introduced legislation that would prevent the Secretary of the Interior from approving a wind or solar project on public lands if the Legislature in the respective state has passed a resolution of disapproval. Rep. Simpson, the Idaho Delegation, Idaho Governor Brad Little, and Lt. Governor Scott Bedke sent a letter to the Idaho State Director for the BLM. They expressed concerns about the proposed Lava Ridge wind farm in south-central Idaho.
Source: United States Senator for West Virginia Shelley Moore Capito
[embedded content]
To watch Chairman Capito’s questions, click hereor the image above.
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Yesterday, U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.), Chairman of the Senate Environment and Public Works (EPW) Committee, participated in an EPW Transportation and Infrastructure Subcommittee hearing on proposals to improve America’s transportation infrastructure.
During the subcommittee hearing, Chairman Capito opened with remarks outlining the need for the Surface Transportation Reauthorization Bill to provide states with needed flexibility, and how projects could be done more efficiently with permitting reform. Additionally, Chairman Capito asked for an update on efforts to rebuild the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Maryland.
HIGHLIGHTS:
FLEXIBILITY FOR STATES:
“My history here on Capitol Hill has been that transportation and infrastructure is something that we all have. We have our different needs, but we all have need for. So, I think flexibility, Senator Lummis, I think, asked the first question I was going to ask of Mr. Orn on the flexibilities that you get by having the formula funding. We’re not going to build highways in West Virginia the same way that you build them in North Dakota, or Maryland, or other places. There’s just different needs.”
PERMITTING REFORM:
“I think one of the things that is important as well, is permitting reform. I think if we can get bipartisan permitting reform, all of these dollars will go a lot faster, and a lot more efficiently than they have in the past.”
UPDATE ON FRANCIS SCOTT KEY BRIDGE:
Chairman Capito:
“Could you update me on the status of the reconstruction of the bridge and tell us the current cost estimate for that bridge?”
Samantha Biddle, Deputy Secretary, Maryland Department of Transportation:
“Of course, and thank you as well for your support and partnership as we navigated what was truly a catastrophic event that we are still working through. So, we’re so immensely grateful for the federal support. This is a critical national freight and supply chain asset, and we pledge to remain transparent with this committee and providing updates, as well as in our efforts to seek reimbursement to the responsible party for that bridge collision. To date, the Francis Scott Key Bridge rebuild has been environmentally cleared, and we have a progressive design-build contractor in place, and pre-construction and demolition activities are currently underway. We appreciate the strong continued partnership with the Federal Highway Administration, as well as our progressive design-build contractor, Kiewit, and we do remain on track to deliver a new bridge as quickly and cost effectively as possible. However, due to the progressive design-build process that we’re working through, we are currently still tracking the initial cost estimate from earlier on in the bridge rebuild process.”
Source: United States Senator for West Virginia Shelley Moore Capito
[embedded content]
To watch Chairman Capito’s questions, click hereor the image above.
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Yesterday, U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.), Chairman of the Senate Environment and Public Works (EPW) Committee, participated in an EPW Transportation and Infrastructure Subcommittee hearing on proposals to improve America’s transportation infrastructure.
During the subcommittee hearing, Chairman Capito opened with remarks outlining the need for the Surface Transportation Reauthorization Bill to provide states with needed flexibility, and how projects could be done more efficiently with permitting reform. Additionally, Chairman Capito asked for an update on efforts to rebuild the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Maryland.
HIGHLIGHTS:
FLEXIBILITY FOR STATES:
“My history here on Capitol Hill has been that transportation and infrastructure is something that we all have. We have our different needs, but we all have need for. So, I think flexibility, Senator Lummis, I think, asked the first question I was going to ask of Mr. Orn on the flexibilities that you get by having the formula funding. We’re not going to build highways in West Virginia the same way that you build them in North Dakota, or Maryland, or other places. There’s just different needs.”
PERMITTING REFORM:
“I think one of the things that is important as well, is permitting reform. I think if we can get bipartisan permitting reform, all of these dollars will go a lot faster, and a lot more efficiently than they have in the past.”
UPDATE ON FRANCIS SCOTT KEY BRIDGE:
Chairman Capito:
“Could you update me on the status of the reconstruction of the bridge and tell us the current cost estimate for that bridge?”
Samantha Biddle, Deputy Secretary, Maryland Department of Transportation:
“Of course, and thank you as well for your support and partnership as we navigated what was truly a catastrophic event that we are still working through. So, we’re so immensely grateful for the federal support. This is a critical national freight and supply chain asset, and we pledge to remain transparent with this committee and providing updates, as well as in our efforts to seek reimbursement to the responsible party for that bridge collision. To date, the Francis Scott Key Bridge rebuild has been environmentally cleared, and we have a progressive design-build contractor in place, and pre-construction and demolition activities are currently underway. We appreciate the strong continued partnership with the Federal Highway Administration, as well as our progressive design-build contractor, Kiewit, and we do remain on track to deliver a new bridge as quickly and cost effectively as possible. However, due to the progressive design-build process that we’re working through, we are currently still tracking the initial cost estimate from earlier on in the bridge rebuild process.”
Source: United States Senator for West Virginia Shelley Moore Capito
[embedded content]
To watch Chairman Capito’s questions, click here or the image above.
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Yesterday, U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.), Chairman of the Senate Environment and Public Works (EPW) Committee, participated in an EPW Transportation and Infrastructure Subcommittee hearing on proposals to improve America’s transportation infrastructure.
During the subcommittee hearing, Chairman Capito opened with remarks outlining the need for the Surface Transportation Reauthorization Bill to provide states with needed flexibility, and how projects could be done more efficiently with permitting reform. Additionally, Chairman Capito asked for an update on efforts to rebuild the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Maryland.
HIGHLIGHTS:
FLEXIBILITY FOR STATES:
“My history here on Capitol Hill has been that transportation and infrastructure is something that we all have. We have our different needs, but we all have need for. So, I think flexibility, Senator Lummis, I think, asked the first question I was going to ask of Mr. Orn on the flexibilities that you get by having the formula funding. We’re not going to build highways in West Virginia the same way that you build them in North Dakota, or Maryland, or other places. There’s just different needs.”
PERMITTING REFORM:
“I think one of the things that is important as well, is permitting reform. I think if we can get bipartisan permitting reform, all of these dollars will go a lot faster, and a lot more efficiently than they have in the past.”
UPDATE ON FRANCIS SCOTT KEY BRIDGE:
Chairman Capito:
“Could you update me on the status of the reconstruction of the bridge and tell us the current cost estimate for that bridge?”
Samantha Biddle, Deputy Secretary, Maryland Department of Transportation:
“Of course, and thank you as well for your support and partnership as we navigated what was truly a catastrophic event that we are still working through. So, we’re so immensely grateful for the federal support. This is a critical national freight and supply chain asset, and we pledge to remain transparent with this committee and providing updates, as well as in our efforts to seek reimbursement to the responsible party for that bridge collision. To date, the Francis Scott Key Bridge rebuild has been environmentally cleared, and we have a progressive design-build contractor in place, and pre-construction and demolition activities are currently underway. We appreciate the strong continued partnership with the Federal Highway Administration, as well as our progressive design-build contractor, Kiewit, and we do remain on track to deliver a new bridge as quickly and cost effectively as possible. However, due to the progressive design-build process that we’re working through, we are currently still tracking the initial cost estimate from earlier on in the bridge rebuild process.”
Click HERE to watch Chairman Capito’s questions.
Source: United States Senator for West Virginia Shelley Moore Capito
[embedded content]
To watch Chairman Capito’s questions, click hereor the image above.
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Yesterday, U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.), Chairman of the Senate Environment and Public Works (EPW) Committee, participated in an EPW Transportation and Infrastructure Subcommittee hearing on proposals to improve America’s transportation infrastructure.
During the subcommittee hearing, Chairman Capito opened with remarks outlining the need for the Surface Transportation Reauthorization Bill to provide states with needed flexibility, and how projects could be done more efficiently with permitting reform. Additionally, Chairman Capito asked for an update on efforts to rebuild the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Maryland.
HIGHLIGHTS:
FLEXIBILITY FOR STATES:
“My history here on Capitol Hill has been that transportation and infrastructure is something that we all have. We have our different needs, but we all have need for. So, I think flexibility, Senator Lummis, I think, asked the first question I was going to ask of Mr. Orn on the flexibilities that you get by having the formula funding. We’re not going to build highways in West Virginia the same way that you build them in North Dakota, or Maryland, or other places. There’s just different needs.”
PERMITTING REFORM:
“I think one of the things that is important as well, is permitting reform. I think if we can get bipartisan permitting reform, all of these dollars will go a lot faster, and a lot more efficiently than they have in the past.”
UPDATE ON FRANCIS SCOTT KEY BRIDGE:
Chairman Capito:
“Could you update me on the status of the reconstruction of the bridge and tell us the current cost estimate for that bridge?”
Samantha Biddle, Deputy Secretary, Maryland Department of Transportation:
“Of course, and thank you as well for your support and partnership as we navigated what was truly a catastrophic event that we are still working through. So, we’re so immensely grateful for the federal support. This is a critical national freight and supply chain asset, and we pledge to remain transparent with this committee and providing updates, as well as in our efforts to seek reimbursement to the responsible party for that bridge collision. To date, the Francis Scott Key Bridge rebuild has been environmentally cleared, and we have a progressive design-build contractor in place, and pre-construction and demolition activities are currently underway. We appreciate the strong continued partnership with the Federal Highway Administration, as well as our progressive design-build contractor, Kiewit, and we do remain on track to deliver a new bridge as quickly and cost effectively as possible. However, due to the progressive design-build process that we’re working through, we are currently still tracking the initial cost estimate from earlier on in the bridge rebuild process.”
Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments
Press release
Peak District Ravine Woodlands Restored with 84,000 Trees
Over 84,000 native trees have been planted across the Peak District Dales to combat ash dieback disease.
Credit Mark Newton. LIFE in the Ravines tree planting site.
Precious ravine woodlands across the Peak District are being brought back to life through the largest restoration project of its kind, with 84,000 native trees now planted to replace those lost to ash dieback disease.
The 5 year LIFE in the Ravines project has successfully restored up to 25% of the region’s most severely damaged woodlands. It creates resilient habitats that will protect this rare ecosystem for future generations.
Natural England’s partnership project has focused on the Peak District Dales Special Area of Conservation, where ash dieback has devastated ancient woodlands. Teams have replanted a diverse mix of species, including the foundation species large-leaved lime, small-leaved lime, and wych elm trees that historically thrived in these unique limestone ravines.
Credit Nate Evans. LIFE in the Ravines restoration team on site.
Martin Evans, Woodland Restoration Manager for Natural England said:
“The success of the LIFE in the Ravines project shows what can be achieved when we work with nature rather than against it. By planting 84,000 trees, we’re not just replacing what was lost to ash dieback, we’re creating more diverse and resilient woodlands that will thrive for generations to come.
“These restored ravine woodlands are truly unique habitats, and this project demonstrates Natural England’s commitment to protecting and enhancing our most precious natural environments whilst supporting the government’s environmental priorities.”
The restoration work tackles a critical environmental challenge. Without intervention, entire woodlands would have been lost to the fungal disease that kills ash trees. The project has prevented this ecological disaster whilst creating more diverse, resilient habitats.
Derbyshire Wildlife Trust has seen remarkable success across their managed sites with 16,000 trees planted in the Wye Valley including Cramside, Cheedale, and Millers Dale. The new plantings form the foundation for naturally expanding woodlands that will colonise surrounding areas over time.
Kyle Winney, Living Landscape Officer for Derbyshire Wildlife Trust said:
“Although it’s devasting to see the effects of ash dieback, it has provided us an opportunity to restore the ravine woodlands that would have been much more diverse before human impacts. The native trees we’ve planted form the foundation of a more diverse woodland that will be more resilient to future challenges such as weather extremes and disease.”
Seeds collected directly from existing trees within the ravines are being grown by specialist nurseries and community groups. This local approach ensures planted trees can thrive in the challenging conditions of steep, rocky limestone terrain.
The project represents 16% of the UK’s ravine woodland – a European Priority Habitat. As tree planting targets are met, teams are preparing for their final restoration season in autumn 2025, including work in the Via Gellia woodlands.
Credit Mark Newton. LIFE in the Ravines woodland site.
This restoration directly supports the government’s environmental mission to make Britain a clean energy superpower by strengthening natural ecosystems that store carbon and support biodiversity. The project demonstrates how targeted intervention can reverse environmental damage whilst building climate resilience.
Notes to editors:
The £5 million LIFE in the Ravines project is led by Natural England with partners including Derbyshire Wildlife Trust, Staffordshire Wildlife Trust, the National Trust, and Chatsworth Estate.
Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Paul Tonko (Capital Region New York)
WASHINGTON, DC — Representatives Paul D. Tonko (D-NY), Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA), Don Bacon (R-NE), and Senator Edward Markey (D-MA) today reintroducedH.R. 4744, the Community Mental Wellness & Resilience Act, a bipartisan bill that tackles the nation’s mental health crisis by addressing the extensive community trauma caused by natural disasters. This innovative legislation will empower communities through a new federal grant program to craft their own locally specific responses to the mental health problems caused by disasters and toxic stresses.
“Extreme weather disasters don’t just wreak havoc on our homes, economies, and infrastructure — they inflict lasting trauma and mental harm for those both directly impacted and far beyond the affected area,”Congressman Tonko said. “We need to provide compassionate, evidence-informed solutions to support our communities. That’s why I’m leading this bipartisan legislation in partnership with my colleagues. We’ll continue working to further mental wellness and equip our communities with the resources they need to meet and overcome these traumas.”
“Communities are struggling to meet the current need for mental health services, and as the climate crisis worsens, unprecedented disasters will only cause more unprecedented harm to our physical and mental health,”said Senator Markey.“Heat waves, flash floods, wildfires, and droughts leave devastation and trauma in their wake. My Community Mental Wellness and Resilience Act would give communities the help they need to protect residents’ mental health, especially those in rural and underserved communities that are getting hit first and worst by disasters and have the fewest resources to deal with them.”
“For too long, our disaster response has focused solely on physical recovery, while the mental and emotional toll has gone unaddressed. This bipartisan legislation corrects that imbalance by treating mental health as a core component of our public health and emergency preparedness strategy. By investing in evidence-based, community-driven solutions, we’re not just helping communities rebuild—we’re helping them heal,”said Congressman Brian Fitzpatrick.
“The mental health crisis affecting our communities is one of the most serious challenges of our time. We need comprehensive, community-driven solutions that empower local leaders to develop and implement programs that work for their specific needs,”said Congressman Don Bacon.“The bipartisan Community Mental Wellness and Resilience Act puts the power back in the hands of our communities to create meaningful, lasting change in mental health care.”
In 2024, Mental Health America reported that nearly 23 percent of U.S. adults (~60 million people) experienced a diagnosed mental illness, with more than 5 percent facing severe conditions. Natural disasters only exacerbate the problem. Consequently, the number of people who experience a mental health problem as a result of a natural disaster often outweigh those with physical injuries by 40 to 1.
The Community Mental Wellness and Resilience Act will:
Establish a competitive grant program at the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to create, operate, or expand community-based programs that use a public health approach to build mental wellness and resilience
These programs will work to enhance the capacity of all residents for mental wellness and resilience to prevent and heal mental health problems generated by disasters and toxic stresses
Incorporates a set-aside to help address rural mental health disparities
Community initiatives will build their own strategies to enhance and sustain population-level mental wellness and resilience, with specific attention to high-risk individuals
More than110 organizations supportRep. Tonko’s legislation, including: Alliance of Nurses for Healthy Environments, American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, American Lung Association, American Psychiatric Association, American Public Health Association, International Transformational Resilience Coalition, Mental Health America, Moms Clean Air Force, National Association of Pediatric Nurse Practitioners, National Association of Social Workers, National League for Nursing, Rural Opportunity Institute, The Kennedy Forum, and YMCA of the USA.
A full list of supporting organizations and their quotes can be found HERE.
A fact sheet on the legislation can be found HERE.