Two releases on a quiet Saturday: Sanders claims a court win on EPA solar funding; McConnell issues a tribute to a Shelby County constituent.
A federal judge ruled Friday that the Trump EPA illegally cancelled $7 billion in funding for the Solar for All program, and Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., moved quickly to claim the victory in a Saturday afternoon statement.
Sanders authored the program, which provides loans or grants to help working-class families install rooftop solar or join community solar projects. The ruling preserves funding he says would cut electric bills by up to 80 percent for participating households.
Saturday's release volume — two statements against a weekly average of 4.9 — ran 59 percent below the Saturday baseline. No votes are scheduled, and the next recess window, a pre-election state work period, is 16 days out.
Court ruling restores Solar for All EPA funding
A federal judge rejected the EPA's cancellation of $7 billion in Solar for All grants and loans, handing Sanders a legal win on a program he introduced. The ruling came Friday; Sanders released his statement Saturday afternoon.
"I introduced the Solar for All program to provide loans or grants to working class families to help cover the cost of installing solar rooftops or participating in community-based solar projects," Sanders said. "This program would slash electric bills for working families up to 80% — putting money back in the pockets of ordinary Americans, not fossil fuel billionaires."
Sanders framed the EPA's original cancellation in pointed terms. "Unfortunately, at a time when working families are getting crushed by skyrocketing energy costs and the planet is facing extreme weather and record-breaking temperatures, Donald Trump tried to illegally kill this program to protect the obscene profits of his friends in the oil and gas industry. He lost."
"Solar for All means lower utility bills, many thousands of good-paying jobs and real action to address the existential threat of climate change," Sanders added. "That's a win-win-win."
McConnell tribute to John Kalmey of Shelby County
Sen. Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., issued a tribute Saturday to John Kalmey, a Shelby County, Kentucky, constituent and personal friend.
"I am deeply saddened by the passing of my dear friend, John Kalmey," McConnell said. "John was someone who lived his life with a genuine love for his family, his farm, and his community. He believed in working hard, serving others, and always doing what was right."
"His kindness, integrity, and willingness to help others made a difference in so many lives, and his legacy will continue to be felt throughout Shelby County," McConnell added. "I'm thinking of his family and all of us who were blessed to know John and call him a friend."
Signals
- volumeSaturday release count of 2 ran 59 percent below the Saturday average of 4.9.
- silent breaksSen. Lindsey Graham, R-SC, has not issued a release in 67 days — the longest current silence in the tracked set.
- silent breaksSen. Alan Armstrong, R-OK, has been quiet 65 days; Sen. Roger F. Wicker, R-MS, 59 days — both well above the 14-day threshold.
- recessThe pre-election state work period is 16 days out; no votes are scheduled and the Senate is not currently in recess.
Quiet desks
Senators with no release in two weeks or more.
- Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-SC67d
- Sen. Alan Armstrong, R-OK65d
- Sen. Roger F. Wicker, R-MS59d
- Sen. Rand Paul, R-KY43d
- Sen. Thom Tillis, R-NC33d
- Sen. Mike Rounds, R-SD32d
- Sen. Peter Welch, D-VT25d
- Sen. Tom Cotton, R-AR18d