FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Tuesday, July 3, 2025
CONTACT: Liane Jollon, Executive Director, 970-769-0354, liane@westernleaders.org
Jessica Pace, Program Director, 615-294-2049, jess@westernleaders.org
Western Leaders Network, Appalachian Leaders Network respond to Passage of Reconciliation Bill
Reconciliation bill will stymy local, tribal and state government efforts to address climate change and defend democracy
After extensive negotiation between both Congressional chambers, the U.S. House of Representatives today passed a final reconciliation bill, which contains far-reaching consequences for the climate, democracy, the clean energy economy, public health, and more for communities across the Interior West and Ohio River Valley regions.
Western Leaders Network Executive Director Liane Jollon released the following statement:
“Today’s passage of the final bill marks a grave moment for our democracy and climate future. Using budget reconciliation to push through broad, deeply consequential policy changes violates the spirit of our democracy and is a misuse of a process meant for targeted fiscal decisions.
“While some of the most extreme provisions were removed, the ‘One Big Beautiful Bill’ still includes harmful cuts to programs and tax credits that communities across the Interior West and Ohio River Valley region rely on to reduce methane pollution, invest in clean energy, run free and fair elections, create quality jobs and grow their economies, and protect public health. The legislation also limits judicial oversight and accountability for our leaders in ways that undermine democratic norms and will erode public trust.
“We thank those who voted in the interests of the public, our democracy, and a healthy climate. This bill will bring unprecedented challenges, but make no mistake – local, tribal, and state elected officials remain committed to working every day to do what’s best for their constituents and build more just, equitable and resilient communities. WLN remains committed to supporting them.”
Background
In a 218-214 vote Thursday afternoon, the U.S. House of Representatives approved the final version of President Trump’s "One Big, Beautiful Bill,” after it passed out of the Senate on July 1. The bill now goes to the president’s desk for his signature.
Some of the impacts of the bill would include:
Costing an estimated 300,000 clean energy jobs nationwide
Delaying the Waste Emissions Charge for methane polluters, which would increase the national deficit by $1.5 billion over 10 years, according to the U.S. Congressional Budget Office
Blocking the federal government from enforcing its own fuel economy standards, which have saved drivers trillions of dollars
Western Leaders Network and Appalachian Leaders Network harness the influence of more than 1,000 local, tribal, and state elected and appointed officials across the Interior West and Ohio River Valley region to advance energy transition, clean air and water initiatives, and democracy protections.