The Republican Recap: Week of September 17, 2026

Protecting American Consumers from Costly Climate Mandates ✅

In 2023, the Biden Administration issued a rule allowing California to enforce a radical climate tax targeting shipping vessels. The regulation forces certain cargo ships to turn off their diesel engines while at California ports or face steep penalties.

This costly mandate is hurting America’s supply chains and driving up prices. Ships could face tens of thousands of dollars in penalties each day if they fail to abide by this rule. Those costs are ultimately passed on to consumers. With two of America’s largest ports in California and the state processing roughly 40% of containers entering the United States, this rule raises prices not just for Californians, but for families across the country.

This week, House Republicans advanced legislation to overturn this burdensome policy, lower costs for American families, and strengthen our supply chains.

Rep. Vince Fong’s joint resolution, H.J.Res. 210, overturns an Environmental Protection Agency rule granting a Clean Air Act waiver which limits pollution from ocean-going vessels docked at port. 

“We are one step closer to stopping an unelected state agency in California from increasing prices for consumers across the country, weakening our nation’s supply chains, and straining our regional fuel supply,” said Rep. Fong. “California’s At Berth Regulation is unworkable and costly, putting some of our nation’s most productive ports – including the businesses and workers who rely on them – at a competitive disadvantage. It threatens West Coast energy security and disrupts the goods and services our economy relies on, forcing everyday families to pay the price at the checkout counter and the gas pump. My resolution is a commonsense solution to protect America's supply chains and prevent California’s actions from driving up costs for American families. I’m proud to lead the effort in the House and will work to get it passed in the Senate.”

What Members Said:

Rep. Mario Díaz-Balart applauded the passage of this important legislation which strengthens our economy and supports a vital American industry. 
 

The Energy and Commerce Committee noted this bill puts an end to costly regulations that drive up energy costs.
 

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Rolling Back Burdensome Climate Regulations ✅

California’s maritime industry is a major part of the state’s economy, helping move goods throughout the state and across the country while supporting nearly three million American jobs.

In 2025, the Biden Administration authorized California to enforce its onerous Commercial Harbor Craft Amendments, which expanded existing emissions regulations on commercial vessels and imposed new engine standards, including zero-emissions requirements for several vessel categories. 

Vessel owners and operators face significant costs to comply with these new standards. Those costs could put additional pressure on maritime businesses and affect the competitiveness of California’s ports. This week, House Republicans passed legislation on the floor to rescind California’s harmful harbor craft mandate.

Rep. James Gallagher’s joint resolution, H.J.Res. 213, disapproves of the Environmental Protection Agency’s rule regarding California’s harbor craft regulations and nonroad engine pollution control standards. 

“California already makes just about everything more expensive, and its mandates on our maritime industry are more of the same. My Congressional Review Act resolution overturns the EPA waiver that gave CARB the green light to move forward with this costly harbor craft mandate,” said Rep. Gallagher. "Rolling it back will help protect our supply chains and keep these costs from being passed along to American families. Enough is enough.”

What Members Said:

The Energy and Commerce Committee highlighted this legislation's impact on small businesses and the importance of protecting commercial harbor crafts from burdensome regulations.

The Republican Study Committee underscored how this legislation lowers costs for hardworking Americans and strengthens our maritime industry. 
 

  

Strengthening Federal Oversight of Taxpayer-Funded Programs ✅

Many major federal programs, including Medicaid, SNAP, disaster assistance and small business programs, are federally funded but administered by state or local governments, leaving them vulnerable to fraud. As we saw in Minnesota, when state officials fail to provide adequate oversight or even worse - turn a blind eye to abuse, fraudsters can steal taxpayer dollars and go undetected.

That’s why Vice President JD Vance called on Congress to pass legislation requiring states to share information with the Department of Justice about how programs are administered and who receives these benefits. This will allow the federal government to better protect taxpayer dollars and hold fraudsters accountable.

This week, House Republicans answered Vice President Vance’s call by passing legislation to improve information sharing between states and the federal government, helping identify fraud faster, protect taxpayer dollars and hold criminals accountable.

Rep. Van Drew’s bill, H.R. 10326, Preventing Rip-offs and Obtaining Oversight of Funds Act strengthens federal oversight by enhancing information-sharing capabilities between state administrators and federal law enforcement, making it easier to investigate fraud in federally-funded programs.

“I am proud to sponsor the PROOF Act because these programs are there to help people who truly need them,” said Rep. Van Drew. “States should not be able to block important fraud investigations when federal taxpayer dollars are involved. We should all be able to agree that this money should be going to the families, seniors, and individuals it was meant to help. This bill makes it easier for investigators to get the information they need and make sure that happens.”

What Members Said:

Rep. Julia Letlow emphasized how this bill makes it easier for the federal government to investigate fraud and prosecute criminals who take away hard-earned taxpayer dollars.
 

   

Rep. Warren Davidson highlighted the importance of rooting out fraud and holding criminals accountable for their actions.

                                   

Cracking Down on Fraud and Protecting Taxpayer Dollars ✅

According to the Government Accountability Office, the federal government loses an estimated $233 billion to $521 billion every year to fraud. It’s clear this is a government-wide problem that requires a government-wide response.

Prior to the Trump Administration, there was no fraud-focused team responsible for combating fraud across the federal government and holding fraudsters accountable. In January, President Trump established the Division for National Fraud Enforcement within the Department of Justice. The new office works with departments and agencies to crack down on fraud schemes across jurisdictions.

In recent months, Americans have seen for themselves how rampant fraud has become and why the federal government needs one office leading the charge to safeguard taxpayer dollars, protect federal programs for those who need them, and pursue criminals stealing from them.

This week, the House passed legislation that codifies the Trump Administration's creation of the National Fraud Enforcement division at the Department of Justice and the role of Assistant Attorney General to lead the division. 

Rep. Brad Finstad’s bill, H.R. 9576, the National Fraud Enforcement Division Act,establishes a National Fraud Enforcement Division within the Department of Justice, led by an Assistant Attorney General appointed by the President and confirmed by the Senate.

“In Minnesota, we’ve seen the systematic failure of Governor Walz and his administration refusing to investigate fraudsters and safeguard Americans’ hard-earned taxpayer dollars,” said Rep. Finstad. “Meanwhile, the Trump Administration and the Department of Justice have taken decisive action, including establishing the National Fraud Enforcement Division to investigate and prosecute those who steal or fraudulently misuse taxpayer dollars. I’m proud to see my National Fraud Enforcement Division Act of 2026 pass in the House today, codifying the National Fraud Enforcement Division within the DOJ and establishing a permanent framework to strengthen our federal fraud prosecution efforts.”  

What Members Said:

Rep. Tim Walberg applauded the bill for codifying the Trump Administration's Office of National Fraud Enforcement Division to protect taxpayer dollars.
 

Rep. Derek Schmidt celebrated how this bill strengthens the federal government's ability to hold fraudsters accountable.