Congress reauthorized the EPA's diesel emissions reduction program through 2029, which hands out grants, rebates, and loans to replace or retrofit old diesel engines. Both parties lined up to praise it — cleaner air, healthier kids, saved fuel, manufacturing jobs — and passed it with the usual 'suspend the rules' shortcut, meaning the debate took less time than reading this summary. For once, nobody wandered off to talk about their district or a different bill entirely. Rare bipartisan efficiency: everyone agreed before anyone could object to the spending.Written by GLM 5.3 Flash. Updated .
“I want to pass this bill quickly. The bill gives the EPA money to reduce diesel pollution. The bill has grants, rebates and loans. The EPA will give this money for cleaner diesel engines. I want to do this without a lot of debate.”
“I want the House to pass this bill. It keeps funding programs that help replace old diesel engines and cut down on pollution.”
“Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 2140) to amend the Energy Policy Act of 2005 to reauthorize the diesel emissions reduction program. The Clerk read the title of the bill. The text of the bill is as follows:”
Official Congressional Record
Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 2140) to amend the Energy Policy Act of 2005 to reauthorize the diesel emissions reduction program. The Clerk read the title of the bill. The text of the bill is as follows:
“I want this bill to pass. It spends money to help upgrade diesel engines. The program has been around a while. The program has helped with manufacturing jobs. The program helps air quality. The program helps economic growth. The program gets extra money from other people. The program saved fuel. The program upgraded many engines. Both parties support this bill.”
“I want the House to pass this bill. It keeps funding an EPA program that helps replace and upgrade old diesel engines. This program creates manufacturing jobs, cleans up the air, and saves fuel.”
“Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, the Diesel Emissions Reduction Act, DERA, of 2025, led by two members of our committee, Representative Matsui of California and Representative Langworthy of New York, reauthorizes a longstanding and successful bipartisan program. This EPA program provides funding assistance to accelerate replacements and upgrades for older diesel engines. It has supported U.S. manufacturing jobs through the development and deployment of a wide range of technologies, leading to improved air quality and economic growth across the country. It is estimated that for every Federal dollar received, the DERA program has leveraged about $2.30 in outside funding, resulting in over 570 million gallons of fuel saved. The program has also upgraded 76,900 vehicle engines. I urge support of this bipartisan legislation with a track record of proven results. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.”
Official Congressional Record
Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, the Diesel Emissions Reduction Act, DERA, of 2025, led by two members of our committee, Representative Matsui of California and Representative Langworthy of New York, reauthorizes a longstanding and successful bipartisan program. This EPA program provides funding assistance to accelerate replacements and upgrades for older diesel engines. It has supported U.S. manufacturing jobs through the development and deployment of a wide range of technologies, leading to improved air quality and economic growth across the country. It is estimated that for every Federal dollar received, the DERA program has leveraged about $2.30 in outside funding, resulting in over 570 million gallons of fuel saved. The program has also upgraded 76,900 vehicle engines. I urge support of this bipartisan legislation with a track record of proven results. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
“I support this bill. It spends money to help replace or upgrade diesel engines. This program gives more money in health benefits than it spends. It is a good program. It creates jobs. It improves people's health. It saves money for Americans. It helps the environment. Both parties support this bill. I want you to vote for it.”
“I want the House to pass this bill. It keeps funding an EPA program that helps replace or upgrade dirty diesel engines. Every dollar spent on this program creates thirty dollars in health benefits by cleaning up the air.”
“Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, H.R. 2140, the Diesel Emissions Reduction Act, reauthorizes a longstanding bipartisan program to cut pollution from diesel engines. Through the program, the Environmental Protection Agency administers grants and loans to States and projects that help replace and retrofit diesel engines across the country that emit dangerous air pollutants, like nitrogen oxides and particulate matter, to improve air quality and public health. The program is one of the most cost-effective tools to improve air quality and public health in local communities, delivering at least $30 in public health benefits for every Federal dollar spent. EPA estimates that the DERA projects helped generate over $8 billion in health benefits during the first decade of the program. It is a prime example of a program that works, creating jobs, improving the health of our communities, saving Americans money, and protecting the environment. That is why the Energy and Commerce Committee unanimously reported H.R. 2140 earlier this year. I thank Representative Matsui for her leadership on this legislation, and I urge my colleagues to support the bill. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as she may consume to the gentlewoman from California (Ms. Matsui).”
Official Congressional Record
Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, H.R. 2140, the Diesel Emissions Reduction Act, reauthorizes a longstanding bipartisan program to cut pollution from diesel engines. Through the program, the Environmental Protection Agency administers grants and loans to States and projects that help replace and retrofit diesel engines across the country that emit dangerous air pollutants, like nitrogen oxides and particulate matter, to improve air quality and public health. The program is one of the most cost-effective tools to improve air quality and public health in local communities, delivering at least $30 in public health benefits for every Federal dollar spent. EPA estimates that the DERA projects helped generate over $8 billion in health benefits during the first decade of the program. It is a prime example of a program that works, creating jobs, improving the health of our communities, saving Americans money, and protecting the environment. That is why the Energy and Commerce Committee unanimously reported H.R. 2140 earlier this year. I thank Representative Matsui for her leadership on this legislation, and I urge my colleagues to support the bill. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as she may consume to the gentlewoman from California (Ms. Matsui).
“I want you to pass this bill. It has worked well for many years. Both sides agree on it. It replaces old diesel vehicles and equipment. This means less pollution. This helps people stay healthier. It saves fuel. This saves people money. This bill is good for everyone.”
“I want the House to pass this bill. It keeps funding a program that helps replace old diesel engines in trucks and school buses. This cuts down on air pollution that causes disease and saves billions of dollars on fuel.”
“Mr. Speaker, I rise today to speak in support of H.R. 2140, and I am proud to lead the Diesel Emissions Reductions Act. I am thankful to Representatives Calvert, Langworthy, and Pingree for working with my office to advance this bill and to secure consistent annual funding for the Diesel Emission Reductions Act program, known as DERA. For more than two decades, DERA has been a model of effective bipartisan policymaking. First authorized in 2005, the DERA program has helped replace or retrofit thousands of old diesel trucks, buses, and other diesel engines. Diesel pollution is linked to lung damage, cancer, and heart disease. Replacing older diesel vehicles and engines has meaningfully reduced pollution in communities across the country and delivered billions of dollars in public health benefits. I am proud to work with my bipartisan co-leads, especially in this hyperpartisan moment, to continue supporting DERA and to continue driving down diesel pollution. Under the DERA program, California has replaced thousands of polluting trucks, tractors, and school buses. Fifty-eight percent of DERA projects go toward replacing old diesel school buses. Thanks to DERA, children across California and the country are breathing cleaner and healthier air as they ride to school. Now, as diesel prices reach at least $6 per gallon--more in California--DERA is more important than ever. DERA doesn't just save lives. It saves fuel, too, and that saves everyone money. Diesel vehicles move our food, plow our fields, deliver packages, and stock our shelves. When diesel prices go up, families pay more for everyday goods. DERA helps save money by replacing old, inefficient diesel vehicles with newer, more efficient vehicles that use less fuel. DERA also saves money by avoiding diesel altogether and switching vehicles to other cleaner fuels, like propane, natural gas, or electricity. EPA estimates that DERA projects have saved more than 572 million gallons of diesel. At $6 a gallon, that is $3.4 billion saved. That means cleaner air, lower operating costs, and better use of taxpayer dollars. I am proud to lead the reauthorization of this practical, bipartisan program that is delivering real results for communities across the country. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this legislation.”
Official Congressional Record
Mr. Speaker, I rise today to speak in support of H.R. 2140, and I am proud to lead the Diesel Emissions Reductions Act. I am thankful to Representatives Calvert, Langworthy, and Pingree for working with my office to advance this bill and to secure consistent annual funding for the Diesel Emission Reductions Act program, known as DERA. For more than two decades, DERA has been a model of effective bipartisan policymaking. First authorized in 2005, the DERA program has helped replace or retrofit thousands of old diesel trucks, buses, and other diesel engines. Diesel pollution is linked to lung damage, cancer, and heart disease. Replacing older diesel vehicles and engines has meaningfully reduced pollution in communities across the country and delivered billions of dollars in public health benefits. I am proud to work with my bipartisan co-leads, especially in this hyperpartisan moment, to continue supporting DERA and to continue driving down diesel pollution. Under the DERA program, California has replaced thousands of polluting trucks, tractors, and school buses. Fifty-eight percent of DERA projects go toward replacing old diesel school buses. Thanks to DERA, children across California and the country are breathing cleaner and healthier air as they ride to school. Now, as diesel prices reach at least $6 per gallon--more in California--DERA is more important than ever. DERA doesn't just save lives. It saves fuel, too, and that saves everyone money. Diesel vehicles move our food, plow our fields, deliver packages, and stock our shelves. When diesel prices go up, families pay more for everyday goods. DERA helps save money by replacing old, inefficient diesel vehicles with newer, more efficient vehicles that use less fuel. DERA also saves money by avoiding diesel altogether and switching vehicles to other cleaner fuels, like propane, natural gas, or electricity. EPA estimates that DERA projects have saved more than 572 million gallons of diesel. At $6 a gallon, that is $3.4 billion saved. That means cleaner air, lower operating costs, and better use of taxpayer dollars. I am proud to lead the reauthorization of this practical, bipartisan program that is delivering real results for communities across the country. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this legislation.
“I support this bill. It continues a good program. This program cuts diesel pollution. It works well. I want you to vote for it.”
“I want the House to pass this bill. It keeps funding a program that works to cut pollution from diesel engines.”
“Mr. Speaker, the Diesel Emissions Reduction Act reauthorizes a long-standing bipartisan program to cut pollution from diesel engines, and it is a great example of a program that works. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to vote in favor of it, and I yield back the balance of my time.”
Official Congressional Record
Mr. Speaker, the Diesel Emissions Reduction Act reauthorizes a long-standing bipartisan program to cut pollution from diesel engines, and it is a great example of a program that works. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to vote in favor of it, and I yield back the balance of my time.
