WASHINGTON — U.S. Senator Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-LA), cosponsored Senator John Hoeven’s (R-ND) the Focus on the Mission Act, legislation to prevent the Department of Defense (DoD) from imposing on federal contractors a new environmental rule that would increase national defense costs.
“The Department of Defense’s new environmental rule is a handout to radical special interests at the expense of our national security,” said Dr. Cassidy. “Their priority should be defending our nation, not appeasing woke climate activists.”
Joining Cassidy and Hoeven are Senators James Risch (R-ID), Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-MS), Joni Ernst (R-IA), Roger Marshall (R-KS), Ted Cruz (R-TX), Kevin Cramer (R-ND), Thom Tillis (R-NC), Cynthia Lummis (R-WY), Deb Fischer (R-NE), Mike Crapo (R-ID), James Lankford (R-OK), Mike Lee (R-UT), Rick Scott (R-FL), Marco Rubio (R-FL), and Marsha Blackburn (R-TN).
Background
DoD’s proposal would require those who receive more than $7.5 million in federal contracts to provide a detailed accounting of GHG emissions within one year. Additionally, the rule would require those receiving more than $50 million in contracts to develop reduction targets within two years.
This includes all fuel and diesel providers which power planes, tanks, and military equipment on domestic and foreign bases.
It was published in November 2022 and the comment period is slated to end on February 13, 2023, after which a final rule will be formulated.
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