Reconciliation update — Most Extreme Anti-Environmental Bill in U.S. History Charges Forward in the House

[Bentley Johnson]

Bentley Johnson here with info on the House GOP’s extreme attack aka their budget reconciliation package. See Politico live updates: 

https://www.politico.com/live-updates/2025/05/21/congress/house-gop-releases-changes-to-megabill-00364358

After a middle of the night Rules Committee hearing and negotiations all day, it appears House Republicans have a “manager’s amendment” they believe they can take to the House floor and pass. 

Of course the process wouldn’t end there (the Senate must run it’s process and agree with the House to send it for Trump’s signature), but if it does pass the House tonight or tomorrow, accountability of any Michigan representatives that vote for this horror show of a bill will be critical.

A few things from Michigan LCV:

-Our statement we sent out yesterday on the bill: 

https://www.michiganlcv.org/michigan-lcv-condemns-house-gops-destructive-reconciliation-bill/

-Our one click action to send a message to Congress to tell the to reject it:

https://www.michiganlcv.org/actions/tell-congress-reject-the-gops-reckless-reconciliation-package/

-Two events tomorrow (Thursday) with partners to put pressure on Rep. James and Rep. Barrett, two of the key Reps that could choose to use their leverage to prevent the budget reconciliation harms from moving forward. These very well may turn into accountability events, and we have plans underway for more accountability measures if it does pass.

Please spread the word!

Dear John, HANDS OFF in Warren on Thursday at 4pm: https://www.mobilize.us/michiganlcv/event/789715/

Dear Tom, HANDS OFF in Lansing on Thursday at noon: https://www.mobilize.us/michiganlcv/event/789717/

More action alerts and other tools are found on our state-to-federal action hub at https://www.michiganlcv.org/actionhub/

More resources

Evergreen Action's rapid analysis of the energy portions of the House GOP budget reconciliation package: https://evergreenaction.com/blog/house-gops-clean-energy-repeal-and-what-it-means-for-the-affordability-crisis?utm_source=homepage&utm_medium=website&utm_campaign=iradefense

Analysis on the connection between eliminating clean energy incentives and rising electricity prices, Center for American Progress

https://www.americanprogress.org/article/the-house-republican-plan-to-increase-gas-and-electricity-prices/

Reconciliation Trackers:

GovBudget: https://govbudget.com/reconciliation-tracker/

Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget tracker

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Bentley Johnson

Federal Government Affairs Director

Michigan LCV

[Bentley Johnson]

As you all have likely seen, the House passed the reconciliation bill a few hours ago 215-214. Two House Rs voted no: Davidson and Massie – all because the bill was not bad enough (in my language, they say they voted no because it did not go far enough on cutting spending), and Andy Harris voted present. Two House Rs did not vote – Garbarino and Schweikert, although according to Speaker Johnson they were both accidental missed votes and not holdouts over provisions.

 

To be clear, the version of the bill that passed this morning is worse than the bill that passed the House Budget Committee. It phases out the clean energy tax credits even sooner, and the bill would require new projects break ground 60 days after the reconciliation bill is enacted to qualify for the tax credits, with a singular carve out for nuclear. In addition, the bill guts IRA programs under DOE and EPA, repealing programs and rescinding any unobligated funding. In particular, the bill targets environmental justice programs under the IRA like the Environmental and Climate Justice Block Grants.  This is of course in addition to the horrible cuts and changes to large federal welfare programs like Medicaid and SNAP and additional funding for immigration enforcement, detention center, and border wall construction. 

 

One positive change is that the language allowing for the sale of public lands in NV and UT was struck and is no longer in the bill.

 

I will share more analysis, draft talking points, messaging, and more as I see it.

Hopefully will see folks at the accountability events for James and Barrett today.

Bentley Johnson (he/him/his) Federal Government Affairs Director Michigan League of Conservation Voters / Michigan LCV Education Fund

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