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Yahoo
25-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Sens. Mike Lee and John Curtis have different approaches to green energy tax credits
This article was first published in the On the Trail newsletter. Sign up to receive the newsletter in your inbox on Friday mornings here. Hello, friends. It's White House Correspondents Week, which means Washington is buzzing with activity from one end of Pennsylvania Avenue to the other. The annual dinner will be held on Saturday evening, although it will look different from years past, as there won't be a headlining comedian — and President Donald Trump has decided not to attend! But the week has still been packed with galas and dinner parties, with celebrity guests expected to appear at different points this weekend. I'll be attending some events, and can give you a behind-the-scenes peek on Monday! And don't forget! We are renaming the newsletter to On The Hill starting next week! Reminder: All content will remain the same, but keep an eye out for the change next Friday. Sens. Mike Lee and John Curtis have different approaches to green energy tax credits Republicans will begin drafting their massive tax reconciliation bill next week, and they have a long road ahead of them. The House hopes to get their version finalized and passed before they leave for Memorial Day recess, but that's an ambitious timeline with several obstacles that could delay the process. More on those obstacles here. But for today's edition, let's dive into one of biggest crossroads emerging in the reconciliation package — but one that hasn't been dragged into the spotlight. Green energy tax credits As I've previously reported, some Republicans are adamant that they will repeal President Joe Biden's Inflation Reduction Act. And not just part of it — they want to overturn its components 'lock, stock, and barrel,' Sen. Mike Lee, R-Utah, tells me. 'I would rather see us pull out all of the IRA subsidies,' Lee said. 'I think the minute you start trying to draw perimeter lines around certain projects, it's going to be very difficult to contain the damage.' But some Republicans are urging more caution. Take Lee's counterpart, Sen. John Curtis, for example. The junior Utah senator recently signed on to a letter warning against a full repeal of Biden's signature climate bill, warning it could lead to 'significant disruptions' and weaken the United States on the global stage. Conversations on the topic are ongoing, Lee told me. But the Utah senator is expected to play a big role as chairman of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee. But what would a repeal of some of those tax credits look like? The IRA creates significant tax credits for renewable energy projects such as solar, wind and geothermal. These Investment Tax Credits incentivize households and businesses to install renewable energy systems by allowing them to deduct a percentage of the cost from federal taxes. That's a big deal for states in the Western U.S. such as Arizona and California that have some of the best conditions for solar power and have some of the highest rates of usage. Utah has also seen growing usage, according to a story last year by Reuters. By installing solar panels, homes and businesses can 'produce some of your energy on your rooftop and reduce the cost' of utility bills, Kate Bowman from Vote Solar, a clean-energy advocacy group, tells me. 'Regardless of the decision to install solar, families' utility bills are going up and investing in rooftop solar is a way to help bring those utility bills back down and then also have some more predictability about what your utility costs are going to be in the future so that you're not as vulnerable to price increases,' Bowman told me. The average household in Utah can save about $90 a month on electric bills with a switch to solar energy, according to Bowman. In response to GOP senators, including Curtis, advocating for green energy credits: 'I think it really shows that he recognizes that this is a moment … to invest in communities, to make sure that we stay on the forefront as our energy system evolves, and that we are giving families the tools to take control of their own energy resources.' However, if there is uncertainty about the future of the tax credits, it could discourage people from switching to solar power altogether, other experts tell me. Take, for example, what Glen Brand, vice president of policy and advocacy for Solar United Neighbors said: 'It's not about the larger political battles. It's about these practical benefits. And we think that's very convincing, and also grounding, because that's, after all, what the whole purpose of this is: to help people save money and then reinvest that money in the economy.' But, Republican lawmakers are looking for ways to save money to get to the $1.5 trillion in cuts promised in the reconciliation bill. That could put the credits on the chopping block. So stay tuned. I'll be following this issue over the next several weeks. Deportation mayhem: The saga of the man mistakenly deported to El Salvador has become a political flashpoint, which continued to heat up this week after four House Democrats traveled to the country to advocate for his release. Republicans are accusing Democrats of being anti-American while Democrats claim the Trump administration is ignoring due process and judicial orders that run contrary to the president's agenda. Pope memorials: Pope Francis died this week, resulting in an outpouring of love and admiration for the Catholic leader. His death came just hours after meeting with Vice President JD Vance, who said it was 'pretty crazy' that he was among the last few officials to see the pope before he passed. 2026 Senate watch: Sen. Dick Durbin, the No. 2 Senate Democrat from Illinois, announced he wouldn't run for reelection next year, setting the stage for a rare Democratic primary to replace him. He's the fifth senator to retire so far this year and the fourth Democrat to hang up his hat. While GOP leaders schedule markups for the tax reconciliation bill, there's a number of other bills up for consideration this week on the House floor. A main theme: Repealing a slew of clean energy policies passed under the Biden EPA. At least three bills set to come to the floor this week are Congressional Review Act resolutions, which are special legislative tools used to overturn federal regulations. The ones on deck this week appear to target three electric vehicle-related laws. Here's a brief overview of what each resolution would do: HJR87: Would nullify a rule issued by the Environmental Protection Agency in 2023 allowing California to force truck manufacturers to sell zero-emission trucks. In doing so, it would maintain uniform vehicle emission regulations nationwide. HJR88: Overturns a waiver from the EPA allowing California to implement its 'Advanced Clean Cars II' program. That program would aim for 'all new passenger cars, trucks and SUVs sold in California' to be zero emissions by 2035. HJR89: Repeals another EPA waiver allowing California to enforce a law establishing stringent nitrogen oxide emission standards. From the Hill: Congress explores limiting cellphones in classrooms as states like Utah issue bans. … The challenges Republicans still face as they tackle Trump's tax bill. From the White House: Trump orders flags to half-staff to honor Pope Francis. … DHS Secretary Kristi Noem's bag stolen at D.C. restaurant with security badge inside. … Trump administration releases first plans to downsize the State Department. … Vance says U.S. will 'walk away' if Ukraine and Russia don't agree to peace proposal. From the courts: Judge resigns after immigrant with alleged criminal connections arrested at his home. … Judge strikes down Utah's school choice program. … What the Supreme Court said about LGBTQ rights and a children's book on same-sex marriage. The House and Senate are back next week — and they'll be busy. It'll be a four-week sprint to draft and pass Trump's massive reconciliation bill in the House before they break for Memorial Day recess. Remember: This process could hit some snags, and it won't be a surprise if that target date gets moved farther into the summer. Also next week: The Treasury is expected to announce its long-awaited X-date. Or in other words, the day the country is projected to default on its loans unless Congress raises the debt limit. Stay tuned for more on that. As always, feel free to reach out to me by email with story ideas or questions you have for lawmakers. And follow me on X for breaking news and timely developments from the Hill.
Yahoo
24-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Former GOP Rep. Mia Love dead at 49 after battle with cancer, family says
Former U.S. Rep. Mia Love, R-Utah, died on Sunday at the age of 49, according to her family. Love, who was the daughter of Haitian immigrants and the first black Republican woman elected to Congress, "passed away peacefully" surrounded by family. "With grateful hearts filled to overflowing for the profound influence of Mia on our lives, we want you to know that she passed away peacefully today," Love's family said in a statement posted to X. "She was in her home surrounded by family." Former Gop Rep. Mia Love's Brain Cancer No Longer Responding To Treatment: Daughter "In the midst of a celebration of her life and an avalanche of happy memories, Mia quietly slipped the bands of mortality and, as her words and vision always did, soared heavenward," the family continued. "We are thankful for the many good wishes, prayers and condolences. We are taking some time as a family and will provide information about funeral services and a public celebration of her life in the days to come." Love had been undergoing treatment for brain cancer, but her daughter said earlier this month that the former congresswoman's cancer was no longer responding to it. Read On The Fox News AppOriginal article source: Former GOP Rep. Mia Love dead at 49 after battle with cancer, family says
Fox News
24-03-2025
- Politics
- Fox News
Former GOP Rep. Mia Love dead at 49 after battle with cancer, family says
Former U.S. Rep. Mia Love, R-Utah, died on Sunday at the age of 49, according to her family. Love, who was the daughter of Haitian immigrants and the first black Republican woman elected to Congress, "passed away peacefully" surrounded by family. "With grateful hearts filled to overflowing for the profound influence of Mia on our lives, we want you to know that she passed away peacefully today," Love's family said in a statement posted to X. "She was in her home surrounded by family." "In the midst of a celebration of her life and an avalanche of happy memories, Mia quietly slipped the bands of mortality and, as her words and vision always did, soared heavenward," the family continued. "We are thankful for the many good wishes, prayers and condolences. We are taking some time as a family and will provide information about funeral services and a public celebration of her life in the days to come." Love had been undergoing treatment for brain cancer, but her daughter said earlier this month that the former congresswoman's cancer was no longer responding to it.
Yahoo
26-02-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Republicans' agenda battles aren't over, just changing shape
Senate and House Republicans largely agree they need to make President Donald Trump's 2017 tax cuts permanent. The rest of their budget talks are far from resolved. The House's Tuesday approval of its once-wobbly budget caught the Senate largely off-guard and teed up a series of perilous choices for the GOP — on preventing a government shutdown, avoiding a debt default, keeping Trump's border policy funded and enacting his new tax cut ideas. Republicans had few clear answers on Wednesday about how to handle those problems. Many of them were still digesting the House's triumph over the Senate's low expectations. 'I don't think the Senate thought we could do it,' said Rep. Blake Moore, R-Utah, a member of party leadership. The back-up plan was obvious if the House budget failed: The Senate would have tried to swiftly approve tens of billions of dollars in border security and defense money, cash that would counteract the cash-flow constraints of a possible shutdown or year-long stopgap bill. Despite the House's advancement of its all-in-one approach, some Senate GOP sources privately suspect they may need to keep their smaller budget blueprint in their back pockets given that top Trump officials have demanded more border money ASAP. Other Senate Republicans said their initial strategy is sidelined; 'I would say it's gone,' said Sen. Shelley Moore Capito of West Virginia. No matter which camp is proven right, Republicans now have to do a ton of heavy lifting as they attempt to reconcile their competing budget frameworks while under pressure from a demanding president at the other end of Pennsylvania Avenue. Senate Majority Leader John Thune and Speaker Mike Johnson met with Trump alongside each chamber's tax chairs on Wednesday afternoon to discuss the tax cuts and how to work together. Johnson suggested afterward that Trump will announce 'big decisions' they'd made and said the Senate will 'move quickly and aggressively' to respond to the House. In separate remarks, though, Thune made clear that government funding is the most urgent task before Washington: 'We've got to deal with the March 14 deadline first, and then we've got to get work on the bigger project.' And if the Senate ends up taking up the House's budget, senators are already talking about making big changes to allow for permanent tax cuts, remove a $4 trillion increase in the debt ceiling and possibly even trim spending cuts. While most Republicans are aligned on the first change, there are some serious differences of opinion on the other two. 'It actually has some things even worse than ours,' Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., said of the House's framework after opposing the Senate's plan last week. 'I mean, a $4 trillion increase in the debt ceiling? I can't imagine voting for that.' Other Senate Republicans said they want the option to raise the debt ceiling through the party-line process known as budget reconciliation, which requires lawmakers to vote for a specific dollar amount rather than a suspension of the debt ceiling through a specific date. 'Everybody has something they like or don't like,' said Sen. Steve Daines, R-Mont. 'But there are merits to putting [a debt limit hike] into the reconciliation, and it's something we should consider.' Not to mention that the entire fight is running parallel to the shutdown deadline. House and Senate GOP spending chiefs also met with Thune and Johnson Wednesday morning, though they left the room with no resolution, according to Senate Appropriations Chair Susan Collins, R-Maine. Top House Republicans are warning against straying too far from what they barely approved on Tuesday night. They see that close call as proof of their leadership's struggle to corral a stick-thin majority — and a reminder that Senate Republicans should follow their lead. As Rep. Kevin Hern, R-Okla., put it: 'We're the ones that can lose the fewest votes.' White House chief of staff Susie Wiles told Senate Republicans on Wednesday, and Trump also affirmed, that the administration supports a call from Daines and other Finance Committee Republicans to make his tax cuts permanent. That will probably require the House to accept paying for less of the bill with spending cuts. 'I don't think my House colleagues will be surprised' by that change, said Sen. John Kennedy, R-La. Senate Republicans may be more sensitive to spending cuts than their House counterparts, particularly when it comes to likely cuts to Medicaid programs that serve many red-state voters. Yet Republican senators also understand that the House's budget likely only passed because of those same proposed cuts, making it tough to win an intraparty fight to reverse them. House Republicans are already insisting on adherence to the spending reductions they voted for. Conservative Rep. Chip Roy, R-Texas, on Wednesday called the House measure's cuts 'a floor' — and warned that 'any additional tax reductions' must be tied to further cuts. 'They're going to come back with basically no spending cuts, and that's going to be a non-starter over here,' Hern said of the Senate. Johnson clearly exceeded expectations by showing his chamber could move the outlines of a massive party-line bill that cuts taxes and government spending in massive amounts while spending on the border and national security. Yet his projected optimism Wednesday evening belies the undeniable fact that the GOP has painful decisions to make before it can even start on the specifics of that bill. The imminent deadlines for government funding and the debt ceiling won't make their next several weeks any easier. Don't be surprised, then, if it's officially spring by the time the House and Senate can reconcile their competing budgets. Senate Republicans raced to finish their budget last week while the House was away from Washington, work that now appears it may be all for naught. Some of them insist it wasn't in vain, saying the House was motivated by the cross-Capitol competition. 'What we've done here in the Senate spurred the House to act much more quickly,' said Sen. John Barrasso, R-Wyo., the party whip. Johnson's budget win, like his speaker race, was aided directly by Trump, according to the New York Times.
Yahoo
05-02-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Immigration think tank cooks up scheme to use ‘snitches' to force migrants to self-deport
An immigration think tank has proposed a unique method of aiding President Donald Trump's deportation efforts, supplementing typical enforcement efforts by relying on "snitches" to limit the employment opportunities of illegal immigrants. The Center for Immigration Studies (CIS) released a report detailing a plan to force "self-deportations" of illegal immigrants. The proposal suggests a minor amendment to the tax code aimed at punishing employers who hire illegal immigrants by allowing private citizens to sue businesses that do this, forcing them to comply with the E-Verify system and limiting the employment opportunities for migrants. The proposal, authored by Ajay Gupta, acknowledges Trump's enforcement efforts but argues the president will be "limited in scope" when it comes to traditional deportation methods, which could be supplemented by forcing many illegal migrants to leave the country voluntarily. "Notwithstanding its 'shock and awe,' a forcible deportation drive is unlikely to make a dent in that vast population," the report argues. "For this, the law against hiring these aliens would have to be strictly enforced." Trump Admin Ends Deportation Protections For Massive Number Of Venezuelans Amid Illegal Immigration Crackdown The report cites Britain's 19th century plan to eradicate child labor as an example of the concept's success, noting that the country was able to force compliance with labor laws even though it was limited by resources and budgetary constraints. Read On The Fox News App Britain's effort relied on private enforcement of the law, the report notes, something the U.S. proposal would also do by allowing private citizens to sue employers of illegal immigrants. "The proposal would impose a punitive tax on all who pay for the personal services or labor of unauthorized aliens and let private citizens sue to collect this tax," the report argues. "The ubiquity of snitches, as compared to the distant possibility of government action, is likely to put the fear of God in employers. Most, if not all, would then willingly embrace E-Verify, a free online tool for verifying a prospective hire's work-authorization status." According to the report, the result would make it much more difficult for illegal immigrants to obtain employment, which "should induce large numbers of unauthorized aliens to return home." The CIS proposal is not the first time such an idea has been floated in the U.S. Former Sen. Mitt Romney, R-Utah, advocated for a similar measure during his 2012 bid for president. Colombian President Urges Illegal Immigrants In Us To Return Home Days After Diplomatic Spat "The answer is self-deportation, which is people decide they can do better by going home because they can't find work here because they don't have legal documentation to allow them to work here," Romney said during a Republican primary debate in 2012. Romney's proposal was widely mocked at the time, including by Trump, who called the idea "maniacal" and "crazy," according to a 2012 NewsMax report. But Romney's idea also had high-profile defenders, including Florida Sen. Marco Rubio, who now serves in Trump's administration as secretary of state. Click Here For More Immigration Coverage "I've never understood self-deportation, in what the governor has presented, as a policy. It's not a policy," Rubio said a few months after Romney's initial proposal, according to an ABC News Report. "I think it's an observation of what people will do in a country that's enforcing its immigration laws." According to the CIS report, a renewed push for self-deportation could be accomplished by amending current tax law through budget reconciliation, which would only require a simple majority vote in the Senate and potentially bypass Democratic efforts to block the legislation. "Republicans today have the legislative and executive authority to fully implement the proposal presented here. This implementation would require adding little more than some 650 words to a budget reconciliation bill. And its consequence would force all employers nationwide to comply with E-Verify," the CIS report concluded. "If GOP lawmakers in control of both chambers of Congress refrain from even this undemanding legislative task, their electorate would be justified in concluding that they accord a higher priority to not placing even the slightest added burden on employers than they do on removing illegal aliens."Original article source: Immigration think tank cooks up scheme to use 'snitches' to force migrants to self-deport
