Inside the Beltway Update
Senate Pushes Forward, House Heads to Recess

While the Senate keeps the lights on, working through legislative priorities and nominations, the House of Representatives left Washington early for its August recess, deferring several FY 2026 appropriations bills to September. This week, Senate Appropriators advanced two key funding bills—Interior-Environment and Transportation-Housing and Urban Development—during Thursday’s committee markups. The Senate’s fiscal 2026 funding bill for transportation programs pushes the Department of Transportation to issue guidance no later than 30 days after the bill is enacted for a $5 billion electric vehicle charger program that the Trump administration suspended earlier this year. The DOT must then publish final guidance no more than four months after the bill becomes law.

The Senate also cleared a procedural hurdle for the Military Construction-VA appropriations bill with a strong 90-8 vote, planning to use it as a “minibus” to bundle additional spending measures before final passage. Meanwhile, House Appropriators approved the National Security-State Department spending bill on Wednesday but postponed other critical markups until September. With a September 30 deadline looming, Congress must act swiftly to pass annual spending bills or a short-term continuing resolution to avoid a government shutdown.

Trump Administration & EPA: Bold Moves Ahead

As Congress recesses, the Trump Administration is charging forward with its policy agenda. On Wednesday, the Senate confirmed Aaron Szabo as Assistant Administrator of the EPA’s Office of Air and Radiation in a party-line vote. Szabo will now lead critical policies on transportation emissions, air quality, and permitting. In a major policy shift, the EPA is set to argue that federal law does not mandate regulating greenhouse gas emissions, potentially limiting federal climate authority. This move, likely to spark legal challenges under the 2007 Massachusetts v. EPA Supreme Court ruling, could reshape environmental policy.

Speed Limiter Mandate Withdrawn!

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) has officially withdrawn its proposed rule mandating speed limiters on commercial motor vehicles, effective July 24, 2025, as published in the Federal Register. This game-changing decision delivers on Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy’s promise to eliminate burdensome regulations, aligning with the Administration’s efforts to reverse the Biden Administration’s push for speed limiter mandates on semi-trucks. Reinforcing this move, the House Transportation Appropriations bill recently included language prohibiting the use of funds to enforce speed-limiting devices on vehicles over 26,000 pounds in interstate commerce.

In April 2025, President Trump signed an executive order directing the Department of Transportation to improve working conditions for America’s truck drivers. Following this, Secretary Duffy took swift action to dismantle the rule, originally proposed under President Obama and revived in 2022 under President Biden.

The Energy Marketers of America (EMA) has tirelessly fought against this mandate and proudly celebrates this withdrawal as a major win for the industry and its drivers.

EMA’s Fall Meeting at the NACS Show 2025: October 13-14: Website and Registration Open!

Get ready for an exciting and productive EMA Fall Meeting, held alongside the NACS Show! Connect with industry leaders, gain valuable insights, and celebrate excellence in Chicago.

Event Highlights:

• Oct 13, Afternoon: Kick off with a New Attendee Orientation & Federal Legislative Update to get up to speed on key issues.

• Oct 13, Evening: Join the NACS/EMA Reception Salute to State Association Executives at the exclusive Hunter Club Lounge, McCormick Place Convention Center. All EMA members are welcome!

• Oct 14, Morning: Start your day with a delicious Buffet Breakfast, followed by Region and Committee Meetings to collaborate and strategize.

• Oct 14, Afternoon: Celebrate at the Distinguished Service Award Luncheon, honoring Louisiana Marketer and EMA Past Chair Grady Gaubert, proudly sponsored by Federated Insurance. The EMA Board of Directors Meeting will follow.

Don’t miss this opportunity to network, learn, and honor industry excellence!

Register now in the link below and be part of the EMA Fall Meeting at the NACS Show. We look forward to seeing you in Chicago! For more details, contact EMA or visit the NACS Show website.

An invitation was sent to your inbox on July 8. Responding to the links on the invitation email is the recommended way to register. Housing registration deadline is September 19, 2025 (subject to change) for Sunday, October 12, 96 percent sold out, for Monday, October 13, 64 percent is sold out, for Tuesday, October 14, 59 percent is sold out and for Wednesday, October 15, 53 percent is sold out so please do not delay in making plans! Members have access to all other hotels with availability in the block. If the general block has rooms, you will continue to see those options.

Remember, the NACS Show registration is separate from EMA’s Fall Meeting registration.

Special EMA Members Code for NACS Show 2025 Registration

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.

**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.

Weekend Reads

Exclusive-In rare move, California steps in to find buyer for Valero refinery to avoid closure, sources say | yahoo!finance

Exclusive: ‘A more vulnerable nation’: FEMA memos lay out risks of plan to cut $1B in disaster and security grants

USA EIA Reveals Latest USA Crude Oil Production Forecast | Rigzone

US EPA cutting workforce by 23%, closing research division | Reuters

Federated Insurance® Launches 2½-Day Risk Management Academy Offering for Petroleum Business Owners in August

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®

About Federated Insurance

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®.

EMA Journal Summer Issue Online Now – NACS Show Preview

EMA Summer Journal is the current issue online. You can take the digital edition with you wherever you go. Scroll to select the articles that catch your eye, then share the content with the icons at the top of your screen. Archived covers are handy on the left side of your browser or use our convenient search feature to find a specific topic. If you prefer to read with pages that flip, select "page view" from the menu bar for a classic page-turner.

In 2023, the Journal adjusted to three issues per year, making it even easier and more affordable for our members and industry supporters to find and connect with each other. For information on marketing to our members, please call 844.423.7272 or email them at advertise@innovativepublishing.com.

Ads for EMA Fall Journal / Annual Directory are due by August 15, 2025 to be delivered in late October 2025. This issue features EMA’s Annual Directory and is retained as a reference guide year-round by our members so please bookmark it.