U.S. Rep. Hudson, others lead bill to stop social cost of energy from driving regulations

ASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congressman Richard Hudson (NC-09), along with Republican Study Committee (RSC) Chairman August Pfluger (TX-11) and RSC House Energy Action Team Chairman (HEAT) Troy Balderson (OH-12), introduced the Transparency and Honesty in Energy Regulation Act in the House and Senator James Lankford (OK) introduced the legislation in the Senate. This bill would prohibit the federal government from using the flawed social cost of carbon, methane, nitrous oxide, or any other greenhouse gas metric in the rulemaking process.

“The Biden-Harris Administration used every tool at their disposal to advance their radical green agenda. My bill ensures that going forward, no Administration can use inaccurate, unreliable standards to pass dangerous regulations,” said Rep. Hudson.

“For too long, unelected bureaucrats have relied upon biased and flawed research to wage war against American energy producers. To unleash a new era of American energy dominance, we must rein in onerous regulations that hamstring our economy. I thank Representative Hudson, Senator Lankford, and RSC HEAT Chair Balderson for leading this effort to get rid of ‘social cost of carbon’ estimates once and for all,” said RSC Chairman Pfluger.

“As Administrator Zeldin noted last month in his historic deregulatory announcement, social cost of carbon hurts the United States’ global competitiveness and increases our reliance on foreign energy producers. I applaud Representative Hudson and Senator Lankford for leading this important bill,” said RSC HEAT Chairman Balderson.

“Under President Trump, American energy dominance is back, and states like Oklahoma are fueling the charge,” said Sen. Lankford. “This bill pushes back on the Biden Administration’s war on American energy producers by ensuring federal rulemaking is grounded in facts—not flawed models or political agendas. It’s a necessary step to restore transparency, rein in government overreach, and keep American energy competitive.”

Budd introduces PELL Act to advance American competitiveness

WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Senator Ted Budd (R-N.C.) introduced the Promoting Employment and Lifelong Learning (PELL) Act today, to expand Pell Grant eligibility for high-quality, short-term workforce programs. The bill benefits individuals seeking to advance their careers without long-term debt while also providing American businesses with a broader, better-prepared talent pool ready to meet the demands of a rapidly evolving economy.

“We cannot build tomorrow’s workforce based on the blueprint for yesterday’s economy. By modernizing Pell Grant eligibility, we can open the door for millions of Americans to gain in-demand skills, while creating more family-sustaining careers. In as little as eight weeks, students can earn industry-recognized credentials and practical knowledge – the real currency of today’s labor market. It’s time to build a workforce strategy as modern and dynamic as the economy we’re preparing it for,” Budd said.

“Vocational opportunities deserve the same respect and financial support our country directs toward a four-year college education. In the same amount of time or less, a high school graduate can be working at a high level, in a specialized trade. We should be incentivizing more of that. I’m grateful to Senator Budd for leading this effort to increase access to skilled trades training and other non-traditional forms of education that can unlock the American Dream for a generation of young people,” said Senator McCormick.

“Too many students are pushed into debt seeking a four-year degree that doesn’t suit job market demands. That needs to change. Our legislation will expand access to high-quality, short-term job training programs to close the skills gap, reduce college debt and ensure more students can enter the workforce in high-demand industries,” said Senator Grassley.

“There is a worker shortage in America. This bill will help fix this problem by offering students the chance to pursue skill-based programs. It will help Americans get back to work. This bill benefits American workers, employers, and consumers,” said Senator Ricketts.

Senators Dave McCormick (R-Pa.), Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), Pete Ricketts (R-Neb.), and Jim Justice (R-W.Va.) joined Senator Budd in introducing the bill.

Background:

The Promoting Employment and Lifelong Learning (PELL) Act:

– Helps low-income students move into good-paying, in-demand jobs quickly by expanding opportunities to participate in high-quality, short-term workforce programs.

– Provides quality assurance for participating programs, allowing any institute of higher education to participate that meets all requirements.

– Equips students with the skills and credentials needed for jobs in in-demand industries.

– Ensures program prices are aligned with economic value, so students and taxpayers receive a positive return on investment.

– Senator Budd’s bill served as the original framework for the workforce Pell Grant expansion that the House Committee on – Education and the Workforce included in its reconciliation bill last week, the Student Success and Taxpayer Savings Plan.

The PELL Act was previously introduced during the 118th Congress.

Tillis applauds new NC state directors for the Farm Service Agency and Rural Development

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Senator Thom Tillis applauded the announcement from Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins that Ron Garrett has been appointed as State Executive Director of the North Carolina Farm Service Agency and Robert Hosford has been appointed as State Director of North Carolina Rural Development.

“Ron and Robert are fantastic choices to lead the NC Farm Service Agency and Rural Development,”said Senator Tillis. “I was proud to advocate on behalf of both of them and I look forward to working with them to support North Carolina’s farmers and rural communities.”

Background:

Ron Garrett will serve as the State Executive Director for the Farm Service Agency in North Carolina. Most recently Ron served as a County Executive Director for FSA for over 33 years. Ron earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Agricultural Business Management from North Carolina State University.

Robert Hosford will serve as State Director for Rural Development in North Carolina, a position he held during President Trump’s first term. In 2003 he was appointed the Chief of Staff for the USDA Farm Service Agency through 2009. After earning a B.S. from Mississippi State University, Hosford relocated to Washington D.C., as a part of the Government Affairs team for the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association.