REUSE Act of 2025

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Bill ID: 119/s/2110
Last Updated: February 20, 2026

Sponsored by

Sen. Merkley, Jeff [D-OR]

ID: M001176

Bill's Journey to Becoming a Law

Track this bill's progress through the legislative process

Latest Action

Held at the desk.

November 20, 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 119th Congress. The REUSE Act of 2025: because what America really needs is another report on reuse and refill systems.

**Main Purpose & Objectives:** The bill's primary objective is to require the EPA Administrator to prepare a report on the feasibility of reuse and refill systems for various sectors, including food service, consumer products, and transportation. Because, clearly, the most pressing issue facing our nation is the lack of reports on reusable containers.

**Key Provisions & Changes to Existing Law:** The bill defines "reuse and refill system" in excruciating detail, ensuring that everyone involved has a clear understanding of what they're supposed to be reporting on. It also establishes a timeline for the report's completion (2 years) and requires the Administrator to consult with relevant stakeholders.

**Affected Parties & Stakeholders:** The usual suspects: businesses that deploy reuse and refill system technologies, parties responsible for waste collection and management, and the EPA itself. Oh, and let's not forget the "relevant reuse and refill system stakeholders" – a term that sounds suspiciously like a euphemism for "lobbyists with deep pockets."

**Potential Impact & Implications:** The report will likely be a 500-page doorstop filled with platitudes about sustainability and environmental responsibility. Meanwhile, the real impact will be felt by the companies that get to write off their lobbying expenses as "research" and the politicians who get to claim they're doing something about climate change.

Diagnosis: This bill is suffering from a bad case of "Report-itis" – a disease characterized by an excessive reliance on bureaucratic busywork rather than actual policy changes. The symptoms include vague objectives, unnecessary definitions, and a complete lack of teeth.

Treatment: A healthy dose of skepticism and a strong stomach for the inevitable greenwashing that will follow this report's publication. Don't worry; it won't actually change anything.

Related Topics

Federal Budget & Appropriations State & Local Government Affairs Congressional Rules & Procedures Civil Rights & Liberties Transportation & Infrastructure Small Business & Entrepreneurship Government Operations & Accountability Criminal Justice & Law Enforcement National Security & Intelligence
Generated using Llama 3.1 70B (Dr. Haus personality)

💰 Campaign Finance Network

Sen. Merkley, Jeff [D-OR]

Congress 119 • 2024 Election Cycle

Total Contributions
$87,300
21 donors
PACs
$0
Organizations
$11,400
Committees
$0
Individuals
$75,900

No PAC contributions found

1
AK-CHIN INDIAN COMMUNITY
1 transaction
$2,500
2
CHEROKEE NATION
1 transaction
$2,500
3
SISSETON-WAHPETON OYATE
1 transaction
$2,000
4
SHAKOPEE MDEWAKANTON SIOUX COMMUNITY
2 transactions
$1,400
5
CONFEDERATED TRIBES AND BANDS OF THE YAKAMA NATION
1 transaction
$1,000
6
CHOCTAW NATION OF OKLAHOMA
1 transaction
$1,000
7
MISSISSIPPI BAND OF CHOCTAW INDIANS
1 transaction
$1,000

No committee contributions found

1
SHENOY, SUNIL
2 transactions
$10,000
2
BOONE, GARRETT
2 transactions
$6,600
3
GARVER, CURTIS MIKE
2 transactions
$6,600
4
BOONE, CECILIA
2 transactions
$6,600
5
RECHNITZ, JOAN
2 transactions
$6,600
6
SOHN, RICHARD FOHS
2 transactions
$6,600
7
STUBBS, MARILYN L.
1 transaction
$5,000
8
BARNHART, PHILIP N.
1 transaction
$5,000
9
HEATHERINGTON, JEFF S.
1 transaction
$5,000
10
BIGLAN, ANTHONY
1 transaction
$5,000
11
CROWLEY, MATTHEW
1 transaction
$3,300
12
GORDON, PATRICIA
1 transaction
$3,300
13
STUBBS, ERVIN GENE
1 transaction
$3,200
14
LEWIS, MARY L.
1 transaction
$3,100

Cosponsors & Their Campaign Finance

This bill has 1 cosponsors. Below are their top campaign contributors.

Sen. Capito, Shelley Moore [R-WV]

ID: C001047

Top Contributors

10

1
CHEROKEE NATION
Organization TAHLEQUAH, OK
$2,800
Dec 31, 2024
2
SHAKOPEE MDEWAKANTON SIOUX COMMUNITY
Organization PRIOR LAKE, MN
$1,000
Nov 8, 2023
3
SHAKOPEE MDEWAKANTON SIOUX COMMUNITY
Organization PRIOR LAKE, MN
$1,000
Jul 22, 2024
4
ARNOLD, JOHN MR.
RETIRED RETIRED
Individual HOUSTON, TX
$6,600
Dec 27, 2023
5
MANOCHERIAN, JENNIFER MS.
RETIRED RETIRED
Individual SCARSDALE, NY
$6,600
Feb 17, 2023
6
MANOCHERIAN, JED MR.
SELF REAL ESTATE
Individual NEW YORK, NY
$6,600
Feb 23, 2023
7
MANOCHERIAN, GREG MR.
SELF EMPLOYED REAL ESTATE
Individual POUND RIDGE, NY
$6,600
Mar 1, 2023
8
MANOCHERIAN, KIM
PANAM EQUITIES EXECUTIVE
Individual NEW YORK, NY
$6,600
Mar 27, 2023
9
KAY, ALISON MS.
KIDS CAPITAL HEDGE FUND MANAGER
Individual BEVERLY HILLS, CA
$6,600
Jun 20, 2023
10
MANDELBLATT, DANIELLE
DMM PROPRIETA MANAGEMENT MANAGER
Individual ASPEN, CO
$6,600
Sep 26, 2024

Donor Network - Sen. Merkley, Jeff [D-OR]

PACs
Organizations
Individuals
Politicians

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

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Showing 23 nodes and 31 connections

Total contributions: $92,100

Top Donors - Sen. Merkley, Jeff [D-OR]

Showing top 21 donors by contribution amount

7 Orgs14 Individuals