Urge Senators to Vote ‘Yes’ on the Marshall – Durbin Amendment!
Senators Roger Marshall (R-KS) and Richard Durbin (D-IL) have filed an amendment aka the Credit Card Competition Act to the Senate’s stablecoin cryptocurrency bill (the “GENIUS Act”). The amendment would require that credit cards issued by the largest U.S. banks have at least two unaffiliated payment networks - ensuring competition in transaction routing. While the amendment opportunity and process are still unclear, we want to ensure that Senators know where we stand, and that’s why we are urging you to contact your Senators now to explain how credit card fees hit your businesses and encourage adoption of the Marshall-Durbin Amendment.
| Click Here to Urge Senators to Support the Credit Card Competition Act! |
Congress returned to Washington on Monday eager to make progress on several legislative priorities including annual appropriations legislation and Republicans’ tax and spending package, the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (H.R. 1).
This week, Senate Republicans held a series of closed-door meetings to discuss pieces of the One Big Beautiful Bill, including a meeting between Republican Senate Finance Committee members and President Trump at the White House on Wednesday. While Republicans are holding to their July 4 deadline for Senate passage, several key tax issues remain, including the proposed phase out of several Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) tax credits and whether to make several business incentives permanent. On Thursday, Sen. Thom Tillis (R-NC) hinted that Senate Republicans are close to a deal on changes to the House-passed bill’s treatment of IRA credits.
The Senate also continues to negotiate amendments to the Genius Act including the Marshall - Durbin Amendment aka the Credit Card Competition Act. The amendment would require that credit cards issued by the largest U.S. banks have at least two unaffiliated payment networks - ensuring competition in transaction routing.
Meanwhile, conservative Senators, including Sens. Ron Johnson (R-WI) and Rand Paul (R-KY), have signaled opposition to the package, with Johnson and several senators pushing for deeper spending cuts to be included in the Senate bill. Calls for additional spending cuts by Senators have coincided with several critiques of the One Big Beautiful Bill by Tesla CEO and former head of DOGE Elon Musk in recent days, adding to pressure in the White House and on Capitol Hill.
On the other side of the Capitol, House Republicans formally kicked off the fiscal year 2026 appropriations process this week. On Thursday, House Appropriations Subcommittees advanced two FY 2026 appropriations bills covering several agencies, including the Food and Drug Administration, along party lines. The subcommittee votes tee up the bills for consideration by the full committee next week. Additional subcommittee markups – including for energy and environmental programs – are scheduled for the coming weeks.
Trump Administration Unveils $1.7 Trillion Budget Proposal for FY 2026
Earlier this week, the Trump Administration released details of its Fiscal Year (FY) 2026 budget proposal, outlining approximately $1.7 trillion in discretionary spending. The proposal, while ambitious, faces significant hurdles in Congress, where passage in its current form is unlikely due to competing priorities and the need for bipartisan support.
Presidential budgets often serve as a starting point for negotiations rather than a final blueprint. In the House, Republican appropriators have already begun drafting individual spending bills with minimal reference to the President’s proposal. In the Senate, securing 60 votes to overcome procedural delays requires bipartisan cooperation, which may prove elusive given anticipated disputes over spending levels and program priorities. As a result, Congress is likely to pass less controversial funding bills through September, with a continuing resolution (CR) expected to maintain federal operations into FY 2026.
The FY 2026 budget includes significant cuts to non-defense discretionary spending, totaling a $163 billion reduction (23 percent) from the 2025 enacted level, while boosting defense spending by 13 percent. Notable provisions include:
Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP): Consistent with previous Trump budgets, the proposal eliminates LIHEAP, a program designed to help low-income households afford energy services and maintain health and safety. The proposed elimination of LIHEAP would severely disrupt the heating fuel supply chain. LIHEAP provides critical financial assistance to low-income households, enabling them to pay for heating fuel deliveries and preventing bad debt for small business energy marketers.
Elimination of the Northeast Home Heating Oil Reserve (NEHHOR): The FY 2026 Budget plans to sell NEHHOR’s one million barrels of ultra-low sulfur distillate to generate $100 million for deficit reduction. While the reserve has not been utilized since Superstorm Sandy, it remains an essential insurance policy for future crises. Fuel supply disruptions often extend 2–3 weeks beyond the duration of a disaster, requiring emergency fuel supplies, hours-of-service waivers, and fuel volatility waivers to restore normalcy. EMA and its state associations work tirelessly with federal, state, and local governments to maintain fuel supply chains during such events. Therefore, preserving the NEHHOR is essential to effectively address natural disasters.
Leaking Underground Storage Tanks Program: The proposed FY 2026 budget reduction from $89 million to $48 million threatens to undermine this critical program. Historically, Congress has appropriated $90–$100 million annually, with 90% allocated directly to states, territories, and tribes for UST cleanup and prevention. Reduced funding could force states to increase tank fees, placing additional financial burdens on small business energy marketers. EMA strongly urges Congress to restore LUST funding to prior levels to prevent costly fee increases on small business energy marketers and support ongoing environmental remediation efforts.
Food and Drug Administration (FDA): The budget proposes $6.8 billion, a $271 million reduction from 2025, with a focus on Make America Healthy Again (MAHA) food-related initiatives, medical device oversight, and tobacco regulations.
Department of Labor (DOL): Funding drops to $8.6 billion, a 35 percent cut from the prior year.
The elimination of programs like LIHEAP and NEHHOR is likely to spark debate in Congress and among advocacy groups. As negotiations unfold, the divide between the White House and Congress over spending priorities will shape the final budget. With bipartisan support critical in the Senate and disagreements looming, a continuing resolution appears to be the most probable outcome to keep the government funded into 2026.
Click here to read EMA’s letter to House and Senate Appropriations Committees highlighting our concerns with the FY 2026 Budget.
On Wednesday, Congressman Nick Langworthy (R-NY) and Senator Jim Justice (R-WV) introduced “The Energy Choice Act,” (H.R. 3699) (S. 1945) to ensure Americans can maintain their preferred energy source, promoting market competition and an all-of-the-above energy approach. Unfortunately, states and localities are moving forward with sweeping bans on heating fuels and other affordable sources of energy which push Americans into a less certain, less affordable energy future.
The Energy Marketers of America fully endorses this legislation which would prohibit states or local governments from discriminating against types or sources of energy through bans on an energy service's connection, reconnection, modification, installation, or expansion and allow Americans to select the heating solution best suited for their household and budget. Importantly, this legislation would maintain the availability of more energy efficient fuels like biomass-based diesel and renewable diesel. Click here for the list of cosponsors.
Special EMA Members Code for NACS Show 2025 Registration
The NACS Show is returning to Chicago this October and this year's Energy Marketers of America's Registration Code is: 2025EMANS.
Using the 2025EMANS code provides EMA with $100 for every retailer or marketer paid registration at any rate. EMA encourages EMA state execs to promote and share with your state association's member companies. Click here for the flyer and the early bird pricing ends June 13, 2025.
**Please note that EMA State Execs are comped for NACS Show registration. Additionally, the NACS Show registration is separate from EMA's Fall Meeting registration.
CLICK HERE for full instructions to register.
Questions registering for NACS Show? Contact NACS Show registration customer service at nacs@maritz.com or 469-513-9489, Monday-Friday, 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. EST, for assistance.
| Click Here to Register for the NACS Show |
CA drops ‘green’ big-rig mandates, ending legal fight with Bill Barr-linked group | Fox News
U.S. renewable diesel production and biodiesel production declined in 1Q25
IATA expects sustainable aviation fuel production to double in 2025 | yahoo!finance
US DOE, Interior seek deep cuts for clean energy under White House FY 2026 budget | S&P Global
May 2025 Contributors to EMA MDF
EMA’s Marketer Defense Fund (MDF) committee wants to thank the following individuals for their MDF contributions during the May 1-31, 2025 timeframe:
Connecticut:
David Foster, Wilcox Energy
Indiana:
Indiana Food & Fuel Association
Michigan:
Robert Hohn, Paxson Oil Company
Mississippi:
General Jim Lipscomb, Lipscomb Oil Company
Parker Lipscomb, Lipscomb Oil Company
Nebraska:
Mark Whitehead, Whithead Oil Company
Ohio:
Jeff Lykins, Lykins Energy Solutions
Oklahoma:
Scott Minton, OnCue Marketing
Texas:
Texas Food & Fuel Association PAC
Wisconsin:
Matt Hauser, Wisconsin Fuel & Retail Association
Corporate donations are acceptable. MDF funds have been used to create a COVID-19 Situational Update & Resources webpage, to hire experts to cover important regulatory agencies and disaster relief dedicated to strengthening our lobbying efforts on Capitol Hill. Click here to donate to the EMA MDF.
Federated Insurance® is excited to formally invite business owners in the petroleum industries to attend our complimentary 2½-Day Risk Management Academy (RMA) offerings from August 26-28, 2025. Led by risk management professionals, this session will be held at Federated®'s Home Office in Owatonna, Minnesota.
Often, business owners may find themselves so busy in the day-to-day workings of their company that they may have less time to focus on the overall safety of their business. The RMA sessions can help owners in the petroleum industry learn how to prevent losses impacting their bottom line by developing risk management best practices, connecting with industry peers facing similar challenges and insurance professionals who are committed to helping owners, and applying what is learned to make a difference at their businesses.
Building a culture of workplace safety starts with business leaders. Learn more and register now to attend this valuable 2½-Day RMA to help take risk management to the next level. To reserve your spot in the upcoming session, or for more information, please contact FederatedRMA@fedins.com or EMA’s National Account Executive Jack West at 262.719.7750 for any additional information or risk management questions. Federated is a Partner in EMA’s Board of Directors Council.
At Federated Insurance, It’s Our Business to Protect Yours®
Founded in 1904, Federated Insurance is a national insurance and risk management organization that serves the property, casualty, and life insurance needs of clients in select industries. The organization has more than 500 recommendations from state, regional, and national associations and buying groups, and is rated A+ (Superior) by industry analyst A.M. Best®.