A Democratic bill with 6 Democratic cosponsors · See all 6 cosponsors
Last activity — Referred to the Committee on Ways and Means, and in addition to the Committees on Energy and Commerce, and Foreign Affairs, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
In committee
Introduced and handed to a committee in the chamber it started in.
The committee holds it, and most bills are never heard from again. A hearing or a committee vote would be news; silence is the usual outcome, and it kills the bill without anyone voting against it.
Its path through Congress
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
The Clean Competition Act creates a carbon intensity charge for certain domestic industrial facilities and imported primary and finished goods. It aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by taxing products that exceed specific carbon intensity benchmarks. The bill establishes a system for calculating carbon intensity, provides rebates for exports, and allows for the creation of "carbon clubs" with foreign partners. Additionally, it creates funding for grants, loans, and contracts to help industries adopt advanced, low-carbon technologies. It also allocates funds to the Department of State for international climate and clean energy assistance.
Yes· 3 of 24
- Scored +9
Does this cut the pollution that drives climate change?
Imposes charges on high carbon intensity production and provides funding for decarbonization technology.
- Scored +8
Does this put more money into wind, solar and other renewable power?
Provides grants and loans for advanced industrial technology designed to achieve net-zero carbon intensity.
- Scored +8
Does this send more money or help to other countries?
Appropriates billions for bilateral and multilateral assistance to support climate and clean energy programs.
The opposite· 3 of 4
- Scored -5
Does this reduce what the federal government spends?
Appropriates significant funds for industrial grants, loans, and international assistance.
- Scored -4
Is this likely to lower the price at the pump?
Carbon charges on petroleum extraction and refining may increase end-user energy costs.
- Scored -3
Would business owners be better off under this?
Increased compliance costs and carbon charges for those in covered industries.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Domestic Job Creation: The Secretary shall give preference for funding to projects that provide the greatest potential for direct and indirect domestic job creation under section (c)(2)(C)(i)(V) and (c)(3)(B)(V).
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Support for Distressed Communities: Funding preference is given to facilities in economically distressed communities that lost manufacturing jobs and those with high cumulative pollution burdens under section (c)(2)(C)(ii).
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Improved Air Quality: Project preference is given to those that maximize improvement in local air quality under section (c)(2)(C)(i)(VI) and prioritize the reduction of hazardous local air quality under section (c)(3)(B)(VII).
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Labor Protections: For entities awarded covered contracts, the bill requires the payment of prevailing wages and the establishment of community benefits agreements under section (c)(3)(D)(ii).
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International Human Rights: Carbon club agreements require foreign countries to guarantee internationally recognized rights, including the elimination of forced and child labor and the right to collective bargaining under section 4694(b)(3).
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Global Poverty Reduction: The Economic Support Fund of the Department of State prioritizes supporting human development and reductions in poverty under section (c)(d)(2)(E).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
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Financial Burden on Producers: Eligible facilities that exceed carbon intensity benchmarks must pay a carbon intensity charge starting after December 31, 2025, under section 4692(a)(2).
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Increased Costs for Importers: Entities importing covered primary goods and finished goods may be required to pay a charge if those goods exceed carbon intensity benchmarks, starting after December 31, 2025, and December 31, 2027, respectively, under section 4692(a)(1).
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Reporting Requirements: Covered entities must report detailed electricity and production information to the government annually starting June 30, 2026, under section 4691(a).
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Financial Risk for Grant Recipients: Funding awarded for advanced industrial technology can be recaptured by the Secretary if the entity fails to complete investments or maintain carbon intensity reductions under section (c)(2)(E).
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Tap or hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Would union members be better off under this? — Requires prevailing wages and protects the right to collective bargaining. Would households on low incomes be better off under this? — Preference for funding in distressed communities and reduction of local pollution burdens. Would Black Americans be better off under this? — Targeted funding for communities with high cumulative pollution burdens. Would children be better off under this? — Long-term benefits of reduced greenhouse gas emissions and local air quality improvements. Would Hispanic Americans be better off under this? — Targeted funding for communities with high cumulative pollution burdens. Would Native Americans be better off under this? — Targeted funding for communities with high cumulative pollution burdens. Would people in cities be better off under this? — Focus on reducing hazardous local air quality in industrial zones. Would people in their twenties and thirties be better off under this? — Focus on future-proofing industrial technology and mitigating climate change. Would business owners be better off under this? — Increased compliance costs and carbon charges for those in covered industries.
- Environment Energy And Infrastructure
- Does this cut the pollution that drives climate change? — Imposes charges on high carbon intensity production and provides funding for decarbonization technology. Does this put more money into wind, solar and other renewable power? — Provides grants and loans for advanced industrial technology designed to achieve net-zero carbon intensity. Does this better protect air, water and wildlife? — Prioritizes funding to improve local air quality and reduce hazardous pollution burdens. Does this reduce how much oil, gas and coal is produced? — Financial penalties for high carbon intensity production incentivize a shift away from carbon-heavy fossil fuel processes. Is this likely to lower the price at the pump? — Carbon charges on petroleum extraction and refining may increase end-user energy costs.
- National Security And Foreign Policy
- Does this send more money or help to other countries? — Appropriates billions for bilateral and multilateral assistance to support climate and clean energy programs. Does this strengthen ties with allied countries? — Establishes 'carbon clubs' to align international climate goals and trade standards. Does this favour talking over confrontation abroad? — Encourages diplomacy through the negotiation of carbon club agreements. Does this make trade with other countries easier? — Creates a structured carbon border adjustment mechanism to level the playing field for domestic producers.
- Economy And Finance
- Is this likely to create jobs? — Provides funding preference for projects with the greatest potential for direct and indirect domestic job creation. Does this raise the taxes companies pay? — Imposes a carbon intensity charge on domestic industrial facilities that exceed carbon benchmarks. Does this strengthen the rights of workers to organise? — Requires prevailing wages and collective bargaining rights as part of carbon club agreements and covered contracts. Is this likely to grow the economy? — Invests in advanced industrial technology to increase the competitiveness of U.S. exports. Does this reduce what the federal government spends? — Appropriates significant funds for industrial grants, loans, and international assistance. Is this likely to slow the rise in prices? — Carbon charges on imports and domestic production may increase the cost of primary industrial goods.
- Social Issues And Justice
- Is this likely to lift people out of poverty? — Prioritizes Department of State assistance for reductions in poverty in low-income economies. Does this narrow racial gaps in how people are treated? — Prioritizes funding for communities with high cumulative pollution burdens.
- Education And Technology
- Does this put more money into scientific research? — Funds the deployment and commercialization of first-of-a-kind advanced industrial technologies.
- Governance And Ideology
- Does this give the federal government more power? — Grants the federal government authority to impose carbon charges and set national industrial benchmarks.
- 1/16/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 12/17/2025
- Referred to the Committee on Ways and Means, and in addition to the Committees on Energy and Commerce, and Foreign Affairs, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
- 5 Cosponsors added.
- Introduced in House
One bill Congress.gov lists as related to this one — companions in the other chamber, earlier versions, and bills this one absorbed or was folded into.
Ami BeraDemocrat · California
Donald BeyerDemocrat · Virginia
Kathy CastorDemocrat · Florida
Judy ChuDemocrat · California
Lloyd DoggettDemocrat · Texas
Jimmy PanettaDemocrat · California