Bill · S. 2444· Senate(119-S-2444)
End Polluter Welfare Act of 2025
- Introduced
- 7/24/2025
- Last activity
- 7/24/2025 — Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
- Sponsored by
- Bernie Sanders
- Cosponsors
- - 0 - 6
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
The "End Polluter Welfare Act of 2025" is a bill designed to eliminate various subsidies used for fossil-fuel production. It implements significant changes to royalty rates, tax treatments, and the use of federal funds across multiple government agencies. The legislation aims to terminate specific tax expenditures, deductions, and credits related to coal, petroleum, and natural gas. Additionally, it repeals recent legislation such as the Inflation Reduction Act and the Builder Act. Finally, it mandates a study to identify and eliminate any remaining fossil fuel subsidies.
Yes· 3 of 12
Does this reduce how much oil, gas and coal is produced?+7
The bill implements higher royalties, taxes, and eliminates support to discourage fossil fuel production.
Does this cut the pollution that drives climate change?+6
The bill aims to reduce carbon emissions by eliminating subsidies for fossil fuel production.
Does this raise the taxes companies pay?+6
The bill terminates various tax expenditures, deductions, and credits for fossil fuel companies.
The opposite· 3 of 9
Would business owners be better off under this?-7
Fossil fuel business owners face significantly higher taxes, royalties, and lost deductions.
Does this put more money into scientific research?-5
The bill terminates the authority and funding for the Office of Fossil Energy and Carbon Management.
Does this send more money or help to other countries?-5
The bill restricts the use of funds by international financial institutions for fossil fuel projects.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Increased Royalty Revenue: The bill increases royalty rates for coal leases and lands where oil or natural gas is discovered, moving the rate to 18\3/4 percent (Section 103).
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Enhanced Liability for Polluters: The act removes limits on liability for offshore facilities and pipeline operators, which can include those transporting bitumen or oil manufactured from bitumen (Section 106).
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Increased Funding for Black Lung Benefits: There is an increase in the excise tax rate intended to fund the Black Lung Disability Trust Fund (Section 218).
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Prevention of Fossil Fuel Support via International Institutions: The bill rescinds unobligated funds from international financial institutions if they provide support for fossil fuel projects (Section 107).
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Restriction of Fossil Fuel Support in Federal Programs: Funding for the Loan Programs Office, the Advanced Research Projects Agency--Energy, and the Rural Utility Service is restricted from being used for projects that support fossil fuel (Sections 109, 111, and 113).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
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Increased Tax Burdens on Fossil Fuel Companies: The bill terminates various tax expenditures, deductions, and credits, such as the special allowance for certain property and the credit for increasing research activities (Section 201 and 202).
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Changes to Asset Amortization: The bill requires a uniform seven-year amortization for geological and geophysical expenditures, and changes the amortization period for intangible drilling and development costs (Section s 203 and 217).
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New Taxes on Production: A new tax is imposed on the severance of crude oil and natural gas produced from the outer Continental Shelf in the Gulf of Mexico (Section 212).
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Termination of Existing Credits: The bill terminates the credit for carbon oxide sequestration (Section 222) and eliminates renewable electricity production credit eligibility for refined coal (Section 219).
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Repeal of Recent Legislation: The act repeals several provisions from the Inflation Reduction Act and the Builder Act (Sections 301 and 302).
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Environment Energy And Infrastructure
- Reduces Fossil Fuel Production+7Reduces Carbon Emissions+6Improves Environmental Protections+5Increases Renewable Energy Investment+3Improves Rural Development-3
- Education And Technology
- Increases Scientific Research Funding-5
- National Security And Foreign Policy
- Increases Foreign Aid-5
- Economy And Finance
- Increases Corporate Taxes+6Increases Wealthy Taxes+5Increases Job Creation-4Improves Economic Growth-2Improves Small Business Support-2
- Governance And Ideology
- Improves Government Transparency+3
- Social Issues And Justice
- Improves Poverty Reduction+2
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Good For Union Workers+3Good For Seniors+2Good For African Americans+1Good For Low Income Households+1Good For Business Owners-7Good For Veterans-1
- Healthcare
- Improves Opioid Crisis Response-1
- 7/24/2025
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
- 6 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.
Cory BookerDemocrat · New Jersey
Edward MarkeyDemocrat · Massachusetts
Jeff MerkleyDemocrat · Oregon
Chris Van HollenDemocrat · Maryland
Peter WelchDemocrat · Vermont
Elizabeth WarrenDemocrat · Massachusetts