Us Congress 2023-2024 Regular Session

Us Congress Senate Bill SB27

Introduced
1/24/23  

Caption

Focus on the Mission Act of 2023 This bill prohibits the Department of Defense from requiring the recipient of a federal contract to provide a greenhouse gas inventory or to provide any other report on greenhouse gas emissions.

Impact

The enactment of SB27 would significantly alter how the Department of Defense interacts with its contractors regarding environmental reporting. By eliminating the requirement for contractors to disclose emissions data, the bill would limit transparency concerning the ecological impacts of defense activities. This change may appeal to some industries that are concerned about the financial and operational constraints imposed by stringent environmental regulations. However, it also raises potential issues regarding accountability and the federal commitment to reducing greenhouse gas emissions, especially considering the unprecedented focus on climate and environmental impacts in recent legislative discussions.

Summary

SB27, known as the 'Focus on the Mission Act of 2023', aims to prohibit the Department of Defense (DoD) from requiring federal contractors to submit reports on greenhouse gas emissions. This bill is a response to the increasing scrutiny and regulatory burdens faced by defense contractors regarding their environmental impact. By preventing the DoD from demanding a greenhouse gas inventory, the bill seeks to alleviate some of the compliance requirements that contractors have had to manage. The legislation reflects a sentiment among certain lawmakers that excessive environmental regulation can hinder defense operations and the military's primary mission.

Contention

The bill has sparked debates around the balance between national defense priorities and environmental responsibility. Proponents argue that reducing bureaucracy for defense contractors is crucial for maintaining operational efficiency and readiness. They contend that it is unnecessary for these contractors to divert resources towards environmental compliance when their primary focus should be on fulfilling military contracts. Conversely, opponents criticize the bill as a regression in environmental stewardship, arguing that such legislation undermines efforts to combat climate change and holds back necessary transparency that could inform better regulatory practices. This contention highlights the ongoing conflict between economic interests, environmental sustainability, and national security.

Companion Bills

US HB2670

Related bill Military Construction Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2024 Black Sea Security Act of 2023 Preventing Child Sex Abuse Act of 2023 Department of Veterans Affairs Minor Construction Threshold Adjustment Act of 2023 Ensuring Interagency Cooperation to Support Veterans Act of 2023 Nuclear Fuel Security Act of 2023 Beryllium Testing Fairness Act International Port Security Enforcement Act Ending China's Developing Nation Status Act Radiation Exposure Compensation Expansion Act U.S. Hostage and Wrongful Detainee Day Act of 2023 Department of Veterans Affairs Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Processing Claims Improvement Act of 2023 Department of Defense Overdose Data Act of 2023 Radiation Exposure Compensation Act Amendments of 2023 Sensible Classification Act of 2023 Classification Reform Act of 2023 Intergovernmental Critical Minerals Task Force Act GRATEFUL Act Granting Recognition to Accomplished Talented Employees for Unwavering Loyalty Act Western Hemisphere Partnership Act of 2023 International Children with Disabilities Protection Act of 2023 Combating Global Corruption Act Securing Maritime Data from China Act of 2023 Combating Cartels on Social Media Act of 2023 American Security Drone Act of 2023 Military Service Promotion Act of 2023 FEND Off Fentanyl Act Fentanyl Eradication and Narcotics Deterrence Off Fentanyl Act Space Force Personnel Management Act CONVENE Act of 2023 Connecting Oceania’s Nations with Vanguard Exercises and National Empowerment Intelligence Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2024 Fort Belknap Indian Community Water Rights Settlement Act of 2023 Native American Housing Assistance and Self-Determination Reauthorization Act of 2023 Fair Debt Collection Practices for Servicemembers Act Architect of the Capitol Appointment Act of 2023 UAP Disclosure Act of 2023 Unidentified Anomalous Phenomena Disclosure Act of 2023 Department of State Authorization Act of 2023 ADVANCE Act of 2023 Accelerating Deployment of Versatile, Advanced Nuclear for Clean Energy Act of 2023

Previously Filed As

US HB3358

Mission not Emissions Act

US HB484

Natural Gas Tax Repeal Act This bill eliminates a program administered by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) that provides incentives for petroleum and natural gas systems to reduce their emissions of methane and other greenhouse gases. It also repeals a charge on methane emissions from specific types of facilities that are required to report their greenhouse gas emissions to the EPA's Greenhouse Gas Emissions Reporting Program.

US SB5495

A bill to cap the emissions of greenhouse gases through a requirement to purchase carbon permits, to distribute the proceeds of such purchases to eligible individuals, and for other purposes.

US HB6152

Adopt GREET Act Adopt the Greenhouse gases, Regulated Emissions, and Energy use in Transportation model Act

US HB10418

To cap the emissions of greenhouse gases through a requirement to purchase carbon permits, to distribute the proceeds of such purchases to eligible individuals, and for other purposes.

US SB3055

Adopt GREET Act Adopt the Greenhouse gases, Regulated Emissions, and Energy use in Transportation model Act

US SB511

Greenhouse gas emissions inventories.

US HB1

Lower Energy Costs Act This bill provides for the exploration, development, importation, and exportation of energy resources (e.g., oil, gas, and minerals). For example, it sets forth provisions to (1) expedite energy projects, (2) eliminate or reduce certain fees related to the development of federal energy resources, and (3) eliminate certain funds that provide incentives to decrease emissions of greenhouse gases. The bill expedites the development, importation, and exportation of energy resources, including by waiving environmental review requirements and other specified requirements under certain environmental laws, eliminating certain restrictions on the import and export of oil and natural gas, prohibiting the President from declaring a moratorium on the use of hydraulic fracturing (a type of process used to extract underground energy resources), directing the Department of the Interior to conduct sales for the leasing of oil and gas resources on federal lands and waters as specified by the bill, and limiting the authority of the President and executive agencies to restrict or delay the development of energy on federal land. In addition, the bill reduces royalties for oil and gas development on federal land and eliminates charges on methane emissions. It also eliminates a variety of funds, such as funds for energy efficiency improvements in buildings as well as the greenhouse gas reduction fund.

US HCR35

Requesting The Department Of Health To Consider Including An Analysis Of Scope 1, 2, And 3 Greenhouse Gas Emissions Into Its Work To Track Greenhouse Gas Emissions And Its Next Greenhouse Gas Inventory Report.

US HR24

Requesting The Department Of Health To Consider Including An Analysis Of Scope 1, 2, And 3 Greenhouse Gas Emissions Into Its Work To Track Greenhouse Gas Emissions And Its Next Greenhouse Gas Inventory Report.

Similar Bills

CA SB736

Creative Economy Incentive Act.

CA AB2726

California Global Warming Solutions Act of 2006: consumption-based accounting.

CA AB2331

Greenhouse gases: aviation sector: reporting.

CA AB1523

Greenhouse gases.

CA SB1230

Zero-emission and near-zero-emission vehicle incentive programs: requirements.

TX SB136

Relating to the Texas Global Warming Solutions Act; imposing a fee and providing a penalty.

HI SB1340

Relating To The Zero Emissions Clean Economy Target.

HI HB1021

Relating To The Zero Emissions Clean Economy Target.