There's A New Sheriff... I Mean Speaker in Town

On October 3rd, Representative Kevin McCarthy, who served as Speaker of the House since January, was ousted from the role. This is the first time in U.S. History a Speaker of the House was voted out of the position. McCarthy served as Speaker for 269 days.

On October 25, 2023, Congressman Mike Johnson (LA-04) was elected as the Speaker of the House. As a Congressman, Speaker Johnson represents the northwest and western regions of Louisiana. Prior to his election to Congress in 2016, Speaker Johnson was an attorney and served in the Louisiana State Legislature from 2015 to 2017. Johnson served as the Vice Chairman of the House Republican Conference and the GOP Deputy Whip.

To learn more about Speaker Johnson click here!

Biden Administration Launches "American Climate Corps"

The Biden Administration has announced the creation of a workforce training and service initiative to increase access to skills-based training for people in clean energy and climate resiliency jobs.  

The goal of the American Climate Corps is to put a new generation of Americans to work conserving lands and waters, bolstering community resilience, advancing environmental justice, deploying clean energy, implementing energy efficient technologies, and tackling climate change. According to the Biden Administration, American Climate Corps members will gain the skills necessary to access good-paying jobs that are aligned with high-quality employment opportunities after they complete their paid training or service program.” 

Additionally, the Biden Administration aims to team up with apprenticeship and pre-apprenticeship programs and push more Americans from diverse backgrounds into these programs.

If you are interested in learning more about the American Climate Corp, click here!

FMCSA Notice of Proposed Rulemaking – Motor Carrier Speed Limiter 

Earlier this year, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) published a supplemental notice of proposed rulemaking that would limit heavy trucks to 68 miles per hour on highways.  

The proposal would require “motor vehicles operating commercial motor vehicles in interstate commerce with a gross vehicle weight of 26,001 or more, that are equipped with an electronic engine control unit capable of governing the maximum speed be required limit the vehicle to a speed determined by rulemaking and to maintain that setting for the service life of the vehicle. 

Following some backlash, The FMCSA suggested that 68mph is only one of the options being considered and will determine what speed limit would be safest through rulemaking.

Rulemaking is planned for publication on December 29th. 

To learn more about the forthcoming rulemaking, click here!

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