Capitol dome in Washington DC against a cloudy sky.

Mike Johnson hints at linking wildfire aid to debt ceiling talks

House Speaker Mike Johnson said discussions are underway to make California wildfire relief conditional on a debt ceiling agreement, a move that has sparked Democratic opposition but gained traction among some Republicans facing disaster recovery pressure.

Meredith Lee Hill reports for POLITICO.

In short:

Johnson acknowledged that GOP members have discussed tying wildfire relief to a debt ceiling increase, following meetings with Donald Trump.
California Republicans, including Rep. Doug LaMalfa, say urgent wildfire recovery needs may necessitate linking the issues despite potential political risks.
Fiscal conservatives remain wary of any debt ceiling increase without significant budget cuts, while Trump appeared open to negotiation during a recent dinner at Mar-a-Lago.

Key quote:

“We’ll see where it goes,” acknowledging that he, personally, supported putting “conditions” on California wildfire aid.

— Mike Johnson, House Speaker

Why this matters:

With the U.S. nearing its borrowing limit, failure to raise the debt ceiling could lead to economic turmoil. Tying disaster relief to fiscal negotiations could delay recovery funds and deepen political divisions, particularly as natural disasters escalate.

Mike Johnson hints at linking wildfire aid to debt ceiling talks

China ramps up solar and wind power as clean energy output shatters global records

Melting ice and microplastics signal deepening disruption in Antarctica’s climate system

New technologies promise to transform farming, but most haven’t delivered yet

New rules to protect U.S. workers from extreme heat face political delays

California struggles to electrify trucks as Trump administration blocks state rules

The hidden cost of powering your phone might be someone else’s cancer

Toxic mine runoff cleanup revives West Virginia waterways and extracts rare earth elements

Multiple Houston-area oil and gas facilities that have violated pollution laws are seeking permit renewals

One facility has emitted cancer-causing chemicals into waterways at levels up to 520% higher than legal limits.

Pennsylvania health advocates say Trump’s first 100 days in office have caused “100 harms” to local communities

“They're terrorizing these scientists because they want to keep them silent.”

Regulators are underestimating health impacts from air pollution: Study

"The reality is, we are not exposed to one chemical at a time.”

Two years into his term, has Gov. Shapiro kept his promises to regulate Pennsylvania’s fracking industry?

A new report assesses the administration’s progress and makes new recommendations

An open letter from EPA staff to the American public

“We cannot stand by and allow this to happen. We need to hold this administration accountable.”

New evidence links heavy metal pollution with wildfire retardants

“The chemical black box” that blankets wildfire-impacted areas is increasingly under scrutiny.