A Democratic bill with 5 Democratic cosponsors · See all 5 cosponsors
Last activity — Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
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
This bill creates a new carbon intensity charge on certain domestic industrial facilities and imported goods based on their greenhouse gas emissions. Companies that produce goods domestically or import them will have to report their carbon emissions and pay fees if those emissions exceed established baselines. The legislation establishes grant and loan programs funded by these charges to help domestic industries invest in advanced, low-carbon technologies. It also authorizes the President to negotiate international carbon agreements and provides funding for global climate assistance. Lastly, the bill sets up a system of rebates for exported goods to help keep American businesses competitive in the global market.
Yes· 3 of 25
- Scored +8
Does this cut the pollution that drives climate change?
Imposes a carbon intensity charge on high-emission facilities and rewards direct air capture to significantly reduce greenhouse gases.
- Scored +7
Does this send more money or help to other countries?
The bill allocates substantial funding for bilateral and multilateral assistance to support global climate and clean energy programs.
- Scored +7
Does this better protect air, water and wildlife?
Promotes cleaner industrial processes and mandates reporting and reduction of industrial pollutants.
The opposite· 3 of 6
- Scored -4
Does this reduce what the federal government spends?
The legislation appropriates tens of billions of dollars for industrial grants and international climate assistance.
- Scored -3
Does this reduce how much oil, gas and coal is produced?
Applies carbon charges to fossil fuel extraction and refining sectors, increasing operating costs for traditional energy producers.
- Scored -3
Is this likely to lower the price at the pump?
Carbon intensity charges on petroleum and natural gas extraction may lead to higher fuel and energy prices.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Support for Clean Tech and Jobs: Under Section 2(c), the Department of Energy will establish competitive grant and loan programs to help facilities invest in advanced industrial technologies that reduce greenhouse gas emissions, giving preference to projects in economically distressed communities and areas with high pollution burdens. This could lead to cleaner air and new job opportunities in hard-hit manufacturing towns.
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Reward for Carbon Removal: Under Section 4692(d), companies can reduce the carbon charges they owe by directly capturing greenhouse gas emissions from the air and storing or utilizing them safely. This provision encourages businesses to actively remove pollution from the atmosphere.
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International Labor Protections: Under Section 4694(b), foreign countries entering into carbon agreements with the United States must guarantee basic worker rights, such as freedom of association, the elimination of forced and child labor, and acceptable working conditions. This helps protect workers both abroad and at home from unfair labor competition.
Potential Negative Impacts for People
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Increased Costs on Goods: Under Section 4692(a), new charges are imposed on both domestic production and imported goods—including primary goods and finished products—if their carbon intensity exceeds specific baselines. Because businesses often pass compliance costs down to consumers, everyday Americans may see higher prices for common goods and energy products.
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Financial Burdens for Manufacturers: Under Section 4691(a) and Section 4692(a), covered entities face strict domestic reporting requirements and mandatory pollution charges starting at $60 per metric ton of excess emissions, with costs increasing annually based on inflation plus six percentage points. Smaller manufacturers or those struggling to modernize quickly may find these fees and reporting rules difficult to afford.
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.
- National Security And Foreign Policy
- Does this send more money or help to other countries? — The bill allocates substantial funding for bilateral and multilateral assistance to support global climate and clean energy programs. Does this favour talking over confrontation abroad? — Authorizes the President to negotiate comprehensive international agreements regarding carbon emissions and trade. Does this strengthen ties with allied countries? — The creation of carbon club frameworks encourages diplomatic cooperation and coordination on trade and environmental standards. Does this make trade with other countries easier? — Establishes border adjustments and export rebates to maintain market competitiveness while addressing carbon intensity.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Would children be better off under this? — Long-term reductions in greenhouse gas emissions and local air pollutants benefit children's health and future environment. Would union members be better off under this? — Mandates prevailing wages for federally funded industrial projects and enforces international labor rights. Would Black Americans be better off under this? — Prioritizing pollution reduction in overburdened communities helps address environmental inequities. Would Hispanic Americans be better off under this? — Targeted funding for communities with high cumulative pollution burdens benefits minority populations disproportionately affected by industrial pollution. Would households on low incomes be better off under this? — Directs grant preferences and pollution reduction efforts toward economically distressed communities. Would people in cities be better off under this? — Reductions in local industrial air pollution improve urban environmental health. Would people in their twenties and thirties be better off under this? — Clean tech investments create long-term career opportunities in emerging sustainable industries. Would immigrants be better off under this? — International labor standard requirements in trade agreements protect workers globally, including immigrant worker origins. Would business owners be better off under this? — Imposes new compliance burdens and pollution charges on heavy manufacturing businesses. Would middle-income households be better off under this? — Potential cost-pass-throughs on consumer goods and energy could moderately burden household budgets.
- Environment Energy And Infrastructure
- Does this cut the pollution that drives climate change? — Imposes a carbon intensity charge on high-emission facilities and rewards direct air capture to significantly reduce greenhouse gases. Does this better protect air, water and wildlife? — Promotes cleaner industrial processes and mandates reporting and reduction of industrial pollutants. Does this put more money into wind, solar and other renewable power? — Provides extensive grants, loans, and contract-for-difference programs to fund advanced low-carbon technologies and clean energy. Does this reduce how much oil, gas and coal is produced? — Applies carbon charges to fossil fuel extraction and refining sectors, increasing operating costs for traditional energy producers. Is this likely to lower the price at the pump? — Carbon intensity charges on petroleum and natural gas extraction may lead to higher fuel and energy prices.
- Governance And Ideology
- Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see? — Requires comprehensive annual reporting of greenhouse gas emissions and carbon intensities by covered entities. Does this give the federal government more power? — Expands federal oversight by establishing new reporting mandates, charges, and grant programs administered by federal agencies. Does this make it easier to do business across state lines? — Standardizes carbon reporting and border adjustment mechanisms across domestic manufacturing sectors.
- Economy And Finance
- Does this raise the taxes companies pay? — The bill imposes carbon intensity charges on covered domestic industrial facilities, increasing tax burdens on major manufacturing corporations. Is this likely to create jobs? — Grants and loan programs for advanced industrial technologies create new job opportunities in manufacturing and clean tech sectors. Does this strengthen the rights of workers to organise? — Carbon club agreements require participating foreign nations to uphold fundamental international labor rights and protections. Is this likely to grow the economy? — Investments in advanced industrial technology and export rebates aim to enhance the global competitiveness of U.S. industries. Does this reduce what the federal government spends? — The legislation appropriates tens of billions of dollars for industrial grants and international climate assistance. Is this likely to slow the rise in prices? — Compliance costs and carbon charges on primary and finished goods could increase prices for consumers.
- Education And Technology
- Does this put more money into scientific research? — Provides financial support for research, development, and deployment of innovative low-carbon industrial technologies.
- Social Issues And Justice
- Does this narrow racial gaps in how people are treated? — Funding preferences for economically distressed communities and areas with high pollution burdens benefit historically disadvantaged populations. Is this likely to lift people out of poverty? — International assistance programs incorporate support for human development and poverty reduction.
- 12/17/2025
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
- 5 Cosponsors added.
- Introduced in Senate
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.
Richard BlumenthalDemocrat · Connecticut
Martin HeinrichDemocrat · New Mexico
Brian SchatzDemocrat · Hawaii
Chris Van HollenDemocrat · Maryland
Peter WelchDemocrat · Vermont