Diesel Emissions Reduction Act of 2025

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Bill ID: 119/s/2235
Last Updated: September 15, 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

70% match to Project 2025

This bill's text tracks the "Environmental Protection Agency" section, p. 458-460 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

23

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.
RETIRED • RETIRED
IndividualHOUSTON, TX
$6,600
Dec 27, 2023
5
MANOCHERIAN, JENNIFER MS.
RETIRED • RETIRED
IndividualSCARSDALE, NY
$6,600
Feb 17, 2023
6
MANOCHERIAN, JED MR.
SELF • REAL ESTATE
IndividualNEW YORK, NY
$6,600
Feb 23, 2023
7
MANOCHERIAN, GREG MR.
SELF EMPLOYED • REAL ESTATE
IndividualPOUND RIDGE, NY
$6,600
Mar 1, 2023
8
MANOCHERIAN, KIM
PANAM EQUITIES • EXECUTIVE
IndividualNEW YORK, NY
$6,600
Mar 27, 2023
9
KAY, ALISON MS.
KIDS CAPITAL • HEDGE FUND MANAGER
IndividualBEVERLY HILLS, CA
$6,600
Jun 20, 2023
10
MANDELBLATT, DANIELLE
DMM PROPRIETA MANAGEMENT • MANAGER
IndividualASPEN, CO
$6,600
Sep 26, 2024

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

ID: B001288

Top Contributors

22

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 RECYCLING • PRESIDENT
IndividualNEW YORK, NY
$8,300
Apr 18, 2023
4
GELBWACHS, CHANA
BIG STILL LIQUORS • PARTNER
IndividualLAKEWOOD, NJ
$6,600
Mar 26, 2024
5
LEIDER, YECHEZKEL
LEIDER ENTERPRISES INC • DIRECTOR
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 & WARDWELL • ATTORNEY
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

75

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

36

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

32

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.

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Showing 40 nodes and 55 connections

Total contributions: $55

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.AI-enhanced analysis provides detailed alignment ratings.

Environmental Protection Agency

Moderate
Vector: 65%
Pages: 458-460AI Enhanced

AI Analysis:

"The bill focuses on reducing diesel emissions through reauthorization of a grant program, which aligns with Project 2025's broader goals of mobile source regulation and cleaner transportation, though it does not directly address specific EPA reforms like GHG standards, CAFE rules, or permitting changes outlined in the policy."

Key themes:diesel emissions reductioncleaner transportationmobile source regulation

— 425 — Environmental Protection Agency are statutorily required, and remove any regulatory differences between attainment and maintenance that are not explicitly required by law. l Streamline the process for state and local governments to demonstrate that their federally funded highway projects will not interfere with NAAQS attainment. l Adopt policies to prevent abuse of EPA’s CAA “error correction” authority.20 EPA historically has used this to coerce states into adopting its favored policies on pain of imposition of a Federal Implementation Plan (FIP). l Limit EPA’s reliance on CAA § 30121 general rulemaking authority to ensure that it is not abused to issue regulations for which EPA lacks substantive authority elsewhere in the statute. l If possible, return the standard-setting role to Congress. Climate Change l Remove the Greenhouse Gas Reporting Program (GHGRP) for any source category that is not currently being regulated. The overall reporting program imposes significant burdens on small businesses and companies that are not being regulated. This is either a pointless burden or a sword-of- Damocles threat of future regulation, neither of which is appropriate. l Establish a system, with an appropriate deadline, to update the 2009 endangerment finding. l Establish a significant emissions rate (SER) for greenhouse gasses (GHGs). Regulating Hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) Under the American Innovation and Manufacturing (AIM) Act22 l Repeal Biden Administration implementing regulations for the AIM Act that are unnecessarily stringent and costly. l Refrain from granting petitions from opportunistic manufacturers to add new restrictions that further skew the market toward costlier refrigerants and equipment. — 426 — Mandate for Leadership: The Conservative Promise l Conduct realistic cost assessments that reflect actual consumer experiences instead of the current unrealistic ones claiming that the program is virtually cost-free. Mobile Source Regulation by the Office of Transportation and Air Quality l Establish GHG car standards under Department of Transportation (DOT) leadership that properly consider cost, choice, safety, and national security. l Review the existing “ramp rate” for car standards to ensure that it is actually achievable. l Include life cycle emissions of electric vehicles and consider all of their environmental impacts. l Restore the position that California’s waiver applies only to California- specific issues like ground-level ozone, not global climate issues. l Ensure that other states can adopt California’s standards only for traditional/criteria pollutants, not greenhouse gases. l Stop the use of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) to increase standards on airplanes. l Reconsider the Cleaner Trucks Initiative to balance the goal of driving down emissions without creating significant costs or complex burdens on the industry. Air Permitting Reforms for New Source Review (Pre-Construction Per- mits) and Title V (Operating Permits) l Develop reforms to ensure that when a facility improves efficiency within its production process, new permitting requirements are not triggered. l Restore the Trump EPA position on Once-In, Always-In (that major sources can convert to area sources when affiliated emissions standards are met). l Revisit permitting and enforcement assumptions that sources will operate 24 hours a day, 365 days a year; this artificially inflates a source’s potential to emit (PTE), which can result in more stringent permit terms.

Environmental Protection Agency

Moderate
Vector: 62%
Pages: 458-460AI Enhanced

AI Analysis:

"The bill focuses on reducing diesel emissions through reauthorization of a grant program, which aligns with Project 2025's broader environmental protection goals, particularly around air quality and emissions reduction. However, it does not directly address the specific EPA reforms, regulatory streamlining, or climate change policies outlined in the Project 2025 section, resulting in moderate rather than strong alignment."

Key themes:emissions reductionair quality improvementcleaner transportationenvironmental protectionfleet modernization

— 425 — Environmental Protection Agency are statutorily required, and remove any regulatory differences between attainment and maintenance that are not explicitly required by law. l Streamline the process for state and local governments to demonstrate that their federally funded highway projects will not interfere with NAAQS attainment. l Adopt policies to prevent abuse of EPA’s CAA “error correction” authority.20 EPA historically has used this to coerce states into adopting its favored policies on pain of imposition of a Federal Implementation Plan (FIP). l Limit EPA’s reliance on CAA § 30121 general rulemaking authority to ensure that it is not abused to issue regulations for which EPA lacks substantive authority elsewhere in the statute. l If possible, return the standard-setting role to Congress. Climate Change l Remove the Greenhouse Gas Reporting Program (GHGRP) for any source category that is not currently being regulated. The overall reporting program imposes significant burdens on small businesses and companies that are not being regulated. This is either a pointless burden or a sword-of- Damocles threat of future regulation, neither of which is appropriate. l Establish a system, with an appropriate deadline, to update the 2009 endangerment finding. l Establish a significant emissions rate (SER) for greenhouse gasses (GHGs). Regulating Hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) Under the American Innovation and Manufacturing (AIM) Act22 l Repeal Biden Administration implementing regulations for the AIM Act that are unnecessarily stringent and costly. l Refrain from granting petitions from opportunistic manufacturers to add new restrictions that further skew the market toward costlier refrigerants and equipment.

Environmental Protection Agency

Moderate
Vector: 62%
Pages: 458-460AI Enhanced

AI Analysis:

"The bill focuses on reducing diesel emissions through reauthorization of a grant program, which aligns with Project 2025's emphasis on mobile source regulation and cleaner transportation, though it does not address specific Project 2025 priorities like cost assessments, life cycle analysis, or federalism in permitting."

Key themes:mobile source regulationdiesel emissions reductioncleaner transportation

— 426 — Mandate for Leadership: The Conservative Promise l Conduct realistic cost assessments that reflect actual consumer experiences instead of the current unrealistic ones claiming that the program is virtually cost-free. Mobile Source Regulation by the Office of Transportation and Air Quality l Establish GHG car standards under Department of Transportation (DOT) leadership that properly consider cost, choice, safety, and national security. l Review the existing “ramp rate” for car standards to ensure that it is actually achievable. l Include life cycle emissions of electric vehicles and consider all of their environmental impacts. l Restore the position that California’s waiver applies only to California- specific issues like ground-level ozone, not global climate issues. l Ensure that other states can adopt California’s standards only for traditional/criteria pollutants, not greenhouse gases. l Stop the use of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) to increase standards on airplanes. l Reconsider the Cleaner Trucks Initiative to balance the goal of driving down emissions without creating significant costs or complex burdens on the industry. Air Permitting Reforms for New Source Review (Pre-Construction Per- mits) and Title V (Operating Permits) l Develop reforms to ensure that when a facility improves efficiency within its production process, new permitting requirements are not triggered. l Restore the Trump EPA position on Once-In, Always-In (that major sources can convert to area sources when affiliated emissions standards are met). l Revisit permitting and enforcement assumptions that sources will operate 24 hours a day, 365 days a year; this artificially inflates a source’s potential to emit (PTE), which can result in more stringent permit terms. — 427 — Environmental Protection Agency l Defend the position that petitions to object to Title V should not be used to second-guess previous state decisions. l Clarify the relationship between New Source Review and Title V to ensure that Title V is used only as intended by Congress. CAA Section 11123 l Restore the position that EPA cannot regulate a new pollutant from an already regulated source category without making predicate findings for that new pollutant. l Institute automatic withdrawal of any proposed rule that is not finalized within the statutorily prescribed one-year period. l Revise general implementing regulations for existing source regulatory authority under CAA § 111(d)24 to ensure that EPA gives full meaning to Congress’s direction, including source-specific application, and that the state planning program is flexible, federalist, and deferential to the states. CAA Section 112 (Hazardous Air Pollutants)25 l Unregulated point or non-point source (fugitive emissions) of an already regulated hazardous air pollutant do not require a Maximum Available Control Technology (MACT) standard. l Ensure that Section 112 regulations are harmonized with Section 111 regulations that apply to the same sector/sources. l Ensure that cost-benefit analysis is focused on a regulation’s targeted pollutant and separately identify ancillary or co-benefits. Radiation l Assess and update the agency’s radiation standards so that they align with those of other agencies, including the Nuclear Regulatory Commission, Department of Energy, and Department of Transportation, as well as international standards. l Level-set past, misleading statements regarding radiological risk and reassess the Linear Non-Threshold standard.

Showing 3 of 5 policy matches

About These Correlations

Policy matches are calculated using a hybrid approach: initial candidates are found using semantic similarity between bill summaries and Project 2025 policy text, then an AI model (Llama 3.1 70B) provides detailed alignment ratings and analysis. Ratings range from 1 (minimal alignment) to 5 (very strong alignment). This analysis does not imply direct causation or intent.

Full Policy Text

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