Diesel Emissions Reduction Act of 2025

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Bill ID: 119/s/2235
Last Updated: April 16, 2026

Sponsored by

Sen. Whitehouse, Sheldon [D-RI]

ID: W000802

Follow the money

The bill

Diesel Emissions Reduction Act of 2025

S. 2235, 119th Congress — read as touching Surface Transportation.

The sponsor

Sen. Whitehouse, Sheldon [D-RI]

Every bill has someone who introduced it. That name is where the paper trail starts.

The money

$73,160 raised

20 itemised contributions to this sponsor, pulled from FEC filings.

The alignment

61% match to Project 2025

This bill's text tracks the "Introduction" section, p. 410-412 of the Mandate for Leadership.

Bill's Journey to Becoming a Law

Track this bill's progress through the legislative process

Latest Action

Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 226.

October 28, 2025

Introduced

📍 Current Status

Next: The bill will be reviewed by relevant committees who will debate, amend, and vote on it.

🏛️

Committee Review

🗳️

Floor Action

Passed Senate

🏛️

House Review

🎉

Passed Congress

🖊️

Presidential Action

⚖️

Became Law

📚 How does a bill become a law?

1. Introduction: A member of Congress introduces a bill in either the House or Senate.

2. Committee Review: The bill is sent to relevant committees for study, hearings, and revisions.

3. Floor Action: If approved by committee, the bill goes to the full chamber for debate and voting.

4. Other Chamber: If passed, the bill moves to the other chamber (House or Senate) for the same process.

5. Conference: If both chambers pass different versions, a conference committee reconciles the differences.

6. Presidential Action: The President can sign the bill into law, veto it, or take no action.

7. Became Law: If signed (or if Congress overrides a veto), the bill becomes law!

Bill Summary

Another masterpiece of legislative theater, courtesy of the esteemed members of Congress. Let's dissect this farce, shall we?

**Main Purpose & Objectives:** Ah, the noble goal of reducing diesel emissions! How quaint. The real purpose is to reauthorize a program that's been limping along since 2005, providing a convenient excuse for lawmakers to pretend they care about the environment while actually catering to their corporate overlords.

**Key Provisions & Changes to Existing Law:** Oh boy, this is where it gets exciting! The bill amends Section 797(a) of the Energy Policy Act of 2005 by striking "2024" and inserting "2029". Wow, what a bold move! Essentially, they're extending the program's lifespan by five years. I'm sure the environment will be saved by this Herculean effort.

**Affected Parties & Stakeholders:** The usual suspects: diesel engine manufacturers, trucking companies, and environmental groups (who'll likely be bought off or silenced). But let's not forget the real stakeholders – the politicians who'll benefit from campaign donations and lobbying largesse. After all, someone has to fund those re-election campaigns.

**Potential Impact & Implications:** *yawn* This bill will have about as much impact on diesel emissions as a Band-Aid on a bullet wound. It's a token gesture designed to appease the environmental crowd while allowing the real polluters to continue business as usual. The only significant outcome will be the perpetuation of a program that's more concerned with lining corporate pockets than actually reducing emissions.

Diagnosis: This bill is suffering from a severe case of "Greenwashing Syndrome" – a disease characterized by the superficial appearance of environmental concern, but ultimately driven by greed and a desire for power. The symptoms include:

* Tokenistic language and vague objectives * Lack of meaningful action or enforcement mechanisms * Overemphasis on corporate interests over environmental concerns * Politicians more concerned with appearances than actual results

Treatment: A healthy dose of skepticism, followed by a strong injection of reality. Unfortunately, this patient is likely terminal – the disease has progressed too far, and the politicians are too invested in their own self-interest to change course.

Prognosis: More of the same – empty promises, half-hearted measures, and a continued disregard for the environment. But hey, at least they're trying... right?

Related Topics

Climate Change & SustainabilityWater & Air Quality RegulationsEnergy Production & Conservation
Generated using Llama 3.1 70B (Dr. Haus personality)

💰 Campaign Finance Network

Sen. Whitehouse, Sheldon [D-RI]

Congress 119 • 2024 Election Cycle

Total Contributions
$73,160
14 donors
PACs
$0
Organizations
$0
Committees
$0
Individuals
$73,160

No PAC contributions found

No organization contributions found

No committee contributions found

1
PAGE, GLORIA
4 transactions
$17,060
2
HEISING, MARK
1 transaction
$6,600
3
BILLINGSLEY, LINDSAY
2 transactions
$6,600
4
GATES, WILLIAM H. III
2 transactions
$6,600
5
JONAS, HOWARD
2 transactions
$6,600
6
CONOVER, CATHERINE M.
1 transaction
$3,300
7
LANG, DAVID
1 transaction
$3,300
8
ARNOLD, JOHN
1 transaction
$3,300
9
FRENCH, JAMES
1 transaction
$3,300
10
GREENBERG, LARRY
1 transaction
$3,300
11
JONAS, DEBORAH
1 transaction
$3,300
12
KATZ, MONIQUE
1 transaction
$3,300
13
KLARMAN, SETH
1 transaction
$3,300
14
MILNER, DAVID
1 transaction
$3,300

Cosponsors & Their Campaign Finance

This bill has 5 cosponsors. Below are their top campaign contributors.

Sen. Capito, Shelley Moore [R-WV]

ID: C001047

Top Contributors

10

1
CHEROKEE NATION
OrganizationTAHLEQUAH, OK
$2,800
Dec 31, 2024
2
SHAKOPEE MDEWAKANTON SIOUX COMMUNITY
OrganizationPRIOR LAKE, MN
$1,000
Nov 8, 2023
3
SHAKOPEE MDEWAKANTON SIOUX COMMUNITY
OrganizationPRIOR LAKE, MN
$1,000
Jul 22, 2024
4
ARNOLD, JOHN MR.
RETIREDRETIRED
IndividualHOUSTON, TX
$6,600
Dec 27, 2023
5
MANOCHERIAN, JENNIFER MS.
RETIREDRETIRED
IndividualSCARSDALE, NY
$6,600
Feb 17, 2023
6
MANOCHERIAN, JED MR.
SELFREAL ESTATE
IndividualNEW YORK, NY
$6,600
Feb 23, 2023
7
MANOCHERIAN, GREG MR.
SELF EMPLOYEDREAL ESTATE
IndividualPOUND RIDGE, NY
$6,600
Mar 1, 2023
8
MANOCHERIAN, KIM
PANAM EQUITIESEXECUTIVE
IndividualNEW YORK, NY
$6,600
Mar 27, 2023
9
KAY, ALISON MS.
KIDS CAPITALHEDGE FUND MANAGER
IndividualBEVERLY HILLS, CA
$6,600
Jun 20, 2023
10
MANDELBLATT, DANIELLE
DMM PROPRIETA MANAGEMENTMANAGER
IndividualASPEN, CO
$6,600
Sep 26, 2024

Sen. Booker, Cory A. [D-NJ]

ID: B001288

Top Contributors

10

1
CHEROKEE NATION
OrganizationTAHLEQUAH, OK
$2,500
Dec 6, 2024
2
SHAKOPEE MDEWAKANTON SIOUX COMMUNITY
OrganizationPRIOR LAKE, MN
$1,000
Sep 13, 2023
3
ISEMAN, HENRY
PENTA MEDICAL RECYCLINGPRESIDENT
IndividualNEW YORK, NY
$8,300
Apr 18, 2023
4
GELBWACHS, CHANA
BIG STILL LIQUORSPARTNER
IndividualLAKEWOOD, NJ
$6,600
Mar 26, 2024
5
LEIDER, YECHEZKEL
LEIDER ENTERPRISES INCDIRECTOR
IndividualLAKEWOOD, NJ
$6,600
Mar 26, 2024
6
GELBWACHS, CHANA
IndividualLAKEWOOD, NJ
$6,600
Mar 26, 2024
7
LEIDER, YECHEZKEL
IndividualLAKEWOOD, NJ
$6,600
Mar 29, 2024
8
WAGNER, KAREN E.
DAVIS POLK & WARDWELLATTORNEY
IndividualNEW YORK, NY
$5,000
Sep 13, 2023
9
WAGNER, KAREN E.
IndividualNEW YORK, NY
$5,000
Sep 26, 2023
10
ISEMAN, HENRY
IndividualNEW YORK, NY
$5,000
Apr 19, 2023

Sen. Sullivan, Dan [R-AK]

ID: S001198

Top Contributors

10

1
SEND IN THE SEAL PAC
PACALEXANDRIA, VA
$45,000
Aug 9, 2024
2
THE LINCOLN CLUB OF ORANGE COUNTY FEDERAL PAC
PACNEWPORT BEACH, CA
$25,000
Oct 18, 2024
3
SEND IN THE SEAL PAC
PACALEXANDRIA, VA
$15,000
Aug 9, 2024
4
WINRED
PACARLINGTON, VA
$6,600
Oct 19, 2023
5
RON JOHNSON VICTORY
COMOSHKOSH, WI
$1,997
Sep 30, 2024
6
MACLEAN-FOGG COMPANY
OrganizationMUNDELEIN, IL
$58,700
Dec 28, 2023
7
AK-CHIN INDIAN COMMUNITY
OrganizationMARICOPA, AZ
$41,300
Dec 29, 2023
8
MACLEAN-FOGG COMPANY
OrganizationMUNDELEIN, IL
$41,300
Dec 28, 2023
9
PASCUA YAQUI TRIBE
OrganizationTUCSON, AZ
$41,300
Dec 29, 2023
10
TIGUA INDIAN RESERVATION
OrganizationEL PASO, TX
$41,300
Dec 19, 2023

Sen. Blunt Rochester, Lisa [D-DE]

ID: B001303

Top Contributors

10

1
PHAROS CAPITAL GROUP LLC
OrganizationBRENTWOOD, TN
$3,300
Dec 15, 2023
2
TUNICA-BILOXI TRIBE OF LA
OrganizationMARKSVILLE, LA
$3,300
Dec 29, 2023
3
POMO BAND OF THE HABEMOTOLEL INDIANS
OrganizationUPPER LAKE, CA
$3,300
May 17, 2024
4
THE CHICKASAW NATION
OrganizationMADILL, OK
$3,300
May 30, 2024
5
THE CHICKASAW NATION
OrganizationMADILL, OK
$3,300
May 30, 2024
6
THE DANIEL INITIATIVE, LLC
OrganizationSTAFFORD, VA
$3,300
Jul 24, 2023
7
TUNICA-BILOXI TRIBE OF LA
OrganizationMARKSVILLE, LA
$2,500
Sep 30, 2024
8
PHAROS CAPITAL GROUP LLC
OrganizationBRENTWOOD, TN
$2,300
Dec 15, 2023
9
SAN MANUEL BAND OF MISSION INDIANS
OrganizationLOS ANGELES, CA
$2,000
Mar 31, 2024
10
1634 ASSOCIATES
OrganizationPHILADELPHIA, PA
$2,000
Sep 30, 2023

Sen. Barrasso, John [R-WY]

ID: B001261

Top Contributors

10

1
POARCH BAND OF CREEK INDIANS
COMATMORE, AL
$3,300
May 24, 2023
2
POARCH BAND OF CREEK INDIANS
COMATMORE, AL
$3,300
Sep 20, 2024
3
SAN MANUEL BAND OF MISSION INDIANS
COMLOS ANGELES, CA
$2,500
Dec 31, 2024
4
ALABAMA-COUSHATTA TRIBE
COMLIVINGSTON, TX
$1,000
Jun 29, 2023
5
MUSCOGEE CREEK NATION
COMOKMULGEE, OK
$1,000
Oct 30, 2024
6
TO PROTECT OUR HERITAGE
OrganizationSKOKIE, IL
$5,000
Jun 26, 2024
7
TO PROTECT OUR HERITAGE
OrganizationSKOKIE, IL
$5,000
Jun 26, 2024
8
EASTERN BAND OF CHEROKEE INDIANS
OrganizationCHEROKEE, NC
$3,300
Jun 11, 2024
9
EASTERN BAND OF CHEROKEE INDIANS
OrganizationCHEROKEE, NC
$3,300
Jun 11, 2024
10
UTE INDIAN TRIBE
OrganizationFORT DUCHESNE, UT
$3,300
Nov 13, 2024

Donor Network - Sen. Whitehouse, Sheldon [D-RI]

PACs
Organizations
Individuals
Politicians

Hub layout: Politicians in center, donors arranged by type in rings around them.

Loading...

Showing 56 nodes and 35 connections (55 secondary connections hidden)

Total contributions: $193,760

Top Donors - Sen. Whitehouse, Sheldon [D-RI]

Showing top 14 donors by contribution amount

14 Individuals

Industry Impact

Which industries are materially affected by specific provisions in this bill. 2 helped.

  • Section 2 reauthorizes the diesel emissions reduction program through 2029, which provides funding for retrofitting or replacing diesel engines in trucks, buses, and other surface transportation vehicles, benefiting the industry.

  • The diesel emissions reduction program includes non-road equipment such as construction machinery; reauthorization continues funding for retrofits, benefiting construction firms and equipment manufacturers.

Who funds the sponsor on these industries

For each industry this bill affects, here's what the sponsor (Sen. Whitehouse, Sheldon [D-RI])received from donors associated with that industry during the 2022–present cycles. Donations are not proof of intent — they are a record of who funds the people writing the law.

Industries this bill HELPS

Project 2025 Policy Matches

This bill shows semantic similarity to the following sections of the Project 2025 policy document.

Introduction

Moderate60.7%
Pages: 410-412

— 378 — Mandate for Leadership: The Conservative Promise Budget The FY 2023 budget request for FECM was approximately $893.2 million.40 FECM’s requested appropriation can be compared to the more than $4.0 billion requested for the Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy.41 The disparity in funding demonstrates how DOE’s research activities and substantial portions of its organizational structure are now focused entirely on the reduction of CO2 emissions rather than energy access or energy security. OFFICE OF ENERGY EFFICIENCY AND RENEWABLE ENERGY (EERE) Mission/Overview The Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy traces its roots to the Energy Policy and Conservation Act of 1975,42 but most of its programs today are rooted in the Energy Policy Act of 2005.43 Under the Biden Administration, EERE’s mission is “to accelerate the research, development, demonstration, and deployment of technologies and solutions to equitably transition America to net- zero greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions economy-wide by no later than 2050” and “ensure [that] the clean energy economy benefits all Americans.”44 The office is made up of three “pillars”: energy efficiency, renewable energy, and sustainable transportation. Needed Reforms l End the focus on climate change and green subsidies. Under the Biden Administration, EERE is a conduit for taxpayer dollars to fund progressive policies, including decarbonization of the economy and renewable resources. EERE has focused on reducing carbon dioxide emissions to the exclusion of other statutorily defined requirements such as energy security and cost. For example, EERE’s five programmatic priorities during the Biden Administration are all focused on decarbonization of the electricity sector, the industrial sector, transportation, buildings, and the agricultural sector.45 l Eliminate energy efficiency standards for appliances. Pursuant to the Energy Policy and Conservation Act of 1975 as amended, the agency is required to set and periodically tighten energy and/or water efficiency standards for nearly all kinds of commercial and household appliances, including air conditioners, furnaces, water heaters, stoves, clothes washers and dryers, refrigerators, dishwashers, light bulbs, and showerheads. Current law and regulations reduce consumer choice, drive up costs for consumer appliances, and emphasize energy efficiency to the exclusion of other important factors such as cycle time and reparability. — 379 — Department of Energy and Related Commissions New Policies l Eliminate EERE. The next Administration should work with Congress to eliminate all of DOE’s applied energy programs, including those in EERE (with the possible exception of those that are related to basic science for new energy technology). Taxpayer dollars should not be used to subsidize preferred businesses and energy resources, thereby distorting the market and undermining energy reliability. l Reduce EERE funding. If EERE cannot be eliminated, then the Administration should engage with Congress and the House and Senate Appropriations Committees on EERE’s budget. EERE’s budget was around $1.5 billion a year when the advances were made that led to dramatic cost decreases in wind, solar, and battery technology. In recent years, Congress has appropriated many billions of dollars in excess of EERE’s normal budget (DOE requested more than $4.0 billion for FY 2023).46 It should rescind these excess monies so that DOE is not required to spend them. If funding cannot be reduced, then it should be reallocated to more fundamental research and less toward commercialization and deployment. l Focus on fundamental science and research. If EERE cannot be eliminated, then the Administration should focus on broader and more fundamental energy research, consistent with law. The Biden Administration is too focused on deploying technologies instead of relying on the private sector. Moreover, under the Biden Administration, EERE is too focused on decarbonization and not at all on the cost of energy. l Eliminate energy efficiency standards for appliances. The next Administration should work with Congress to modify or repeal the law mandating energy efficiency standards. Before (or in lieu of) repealing the law, there are steps the agency can take to refocus on the consumer by giving full force to the provisions already in the law that serve to limit regulatory overreach and protect against excessively stringent standards. For example, the Trump DOE prioritized the relatively few appliance regulations that were likely to save consumers the most energy and refrained from those whose modest benefits are unlikely to justify the costs. It also took steps to ensure that any new standards do not compromise product quality or eliminate any features. These and other consumer protections are in the statute but have often been ignored.

About These Correlations

Policy matches are calculated using semantic similarity between bill summaries and Project 2025 policy text. A score of 60% or higher indicates meaningful thematic overlap. This does not imply direct causation or intent, but highlights areas where legislation aligns with Project 2025 policy objectives.

Full Policy Text

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