Inside the Beltway Update

Over the past ten days, Congress has faced mounting pressure to end the government shutdown, with little tangible progress toward reopening.

Democrats insist that any funding bill include an extension of expiring Affordable Care Act (ACA) premium tax credits, calling it a non-negotiable step to avert a “healthcare crisis.” Republicans counter that negotiations should resume only after the government reopens, with the House remaining in recess to increase pressure on Senate Democrats. The effects of the shutdown continue to spread - roughly 750,000 federal employees are furloughed, while others such as air traffic controllers and TSA officers are working without pay, prompting reports of staffing shortages and operational strain. Controversy arose over an Office of Management and Budget memo suggesting furloughed workers might not receive back pay. Congressional leaders from both parties swiftly rejected that interpretation, reaffirming legal guarantees of compensation. However, Congress has yet to present a unified front on whether the military will receive pay if the government is still shutdown on October 15.

While Speaker Johnson is steadfast on keeping House Republicans out of DC until the government reopens, the Senate has moved on a few matters unrelated to government funding. This week, Senate Democrats recently failed for a second time this year to end President Donald Trump’s national energy emergency. Sponsored by Senators Tim Kaine (D-Va.) and Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), the measure sought to end what Democrats characterize as an abuse of emergency powers benefiting the fossil-fuel sector. Democrats cited rising energy costs and the cancellation or delay of clean energy projects as proof that Trump’s stance hurts American consumers. The emergency allows federal agencies to fast-track approvals for domestic energy and infrastructure projects aligned with the Administration’s priorities. While such emergencies expire after one year unless renewed, Congress is required to review them every six months.

With an ongoing standoff on Capitol Hill continuing, the Trump Administration is grappling with funding shortfalls for numerous agriculture and food programs. This week, President Trump postponed announcing billions in farm trade relief, citing the shutdown as the cause of delay. The package, intended to offset economic harm from the Trade War and China’s suspension of U.S. soybean purchases, was expected to total roughly $14 billion. However, only about $4 billion remains in the regular payment account, prompting USDA to seek an additional $12–13 billion from internal funds. The delay underscores the Administration’s continued focus on agricultural support, particularly for biofuel producers. Upcoming regulatory decisions, such as the 2026–27 Renewable Volume Obligations (RVOs) and reallocation rules, are expected to reflect that priority. President Trump is anticipated to raise the issue of soybean exports directly with President Xi Jinping during their planned meeting at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum later this month.

EMA Regulatory Reminder: Federal Push to Enforce English Proficiency for CDL Drivers Gains Traction

A renewed federal focus on English language proficiency for commercial drivers is reshaping the regulatory landscape for the U.S. trucking industry. Following the issuance of President Trump’s Executive Order 14237 on April 28, 2025, the Department of Transportation (DOT) and the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) have begun actively enforcing rules requiring English proficiency for holders of Commercial Driver’s Licenses (CDLs). While the rules themselves are longstanding, enforcement had previously been inconsistent. The renewed attention has implications across multiple sectors, including fuel distribution, where operations depend on a shrinking pool of qualified commercial drivers.

The Executive Order directs FMCSA to rescind previous guidance that had allowed a more lenient approach to English-language requirements. Inspectors are now instructed to conduct all roadside interactions in English. Drivers who cannot follow basic instructions, respond appropriately to communications, or read standard highway signs may face immediate out-of-service (OOS) violations. According to FMCSA data, over 1,200 drivers have already been placed out of service due to insufficient English proficiency, with the majority employed by U.S.-based carriers. The Western and Southern regions have reported the highest number of such violations to date.

These developments are accompanied by enhanced scrutiny of non-domiciled CDL holders, as well as a broader review of licensing regulations and enforcement procedures. In response, industry groups, including the American Trucking Associations, have encouraged congressional consideration of codifying the Executive Order into law, standardizing English-language testing for CDL applicants, and ensuring uniform enforcement mechanisms.

For energy marketers and other businesses that rely heavily on commercial drivers, these changes highlight the importance of monitoring regulatory developments closely. While the FMCSA has yet to issue comprehensive revisions to inspection procedures and OOS criteria, it is clear that roadside inspections may increasingly assess English-language proficiency. Companies should consider reviewing internal policies and training programs to ensure drivers can meet current federal standards.

Practical steps for energy marketers and fleet operators may include:

• Enhanced Training: Provide drivers with opportunities to improve communication skills and familiarity with regulatory terminology or highway signage.
• Documentation Review: Ensure that all driver records, certifications, and compliance materials are up to date, reflecting adherence to English-language requirements.
• Internal Audits: Conduct routine checks to assess readiness for roadside inspections and identify potential gaps before enforcement actions occur.
• Monitoring Updates: Stay abreast of FMCSA guidance and industry best practices to navigate the evolving landscape.

At this stage, the regulatory focus is primarily on enforcement consistency rather than new legal requirements. Planning is key to compliance and driver retention. Organizations that proactively monitor developments, maintain clear internal standards, and provide targeted training will be better positioned to manage potential impacts on operations. EMA marketers should view this as an opportunity to strengthen overall compliance frameworks while staying responsive to further guidance or rulemaking from FMCSA.

Join EMA MDF Excursion Auction!

The Energy Marketers of America Marketers Defense Fund (MDF) Excursion Auction will take place in conjunction with EMA’s Fall Conference October 13-14. Bidding is open and will close October 14 at 12 noon central time. The Excursion Auction offers unique experiences from the Best of Texas Wine Country to Run for the Roses or Watch the Best Football Players Live to the Northern Lights in Canada.

All EMA members are eligible to participate from anywhere in the United States if they download the C2Auction App on their mobile phone.

To access the bidding platform:

1. Text the word EMA to 71760
2. Click the text message reply link
3. Follow instructions to complete your registration

Once you have accessed your account, browse all items or search by item name to begin bidding. On each item, you will see various options:

1. Bid: Bid at the pre-assigned increment
2. Watch: Clicking "Watch" will put this item in your "My Items" box in the menu for easy access
3. Set Auto-Bid: Allows you to set a maximum bid. As others bid on this item, the system will automatically increase your bid, up to your maximum bid limit.

As you enter a winning bid or are outbid, you will receive a message alerting you of your status. You will be notified at the end of the Excursion Auction if you are a winning bidder!

If you have Excursion Packages that you would like to contribute to the EMA MDF Excursion Auction, please email completed form to Sabrina Pitcher.

Cash, Cash, Cash & More Cash: MDF Raffle Being Held During EMA’s Fall Meeting at the NACS Show

Get your EMA Marketers Defense Fund (MDF) raffle tickets now for a chance to win $1,000 in cash. The EMA MDF will hold a raffle during the Chicago, Illinois October 13-14 conference. The winner will be identified on October 14 and does not have to be present to win. If you are not attending the conference, you will be notified the week following the October drawing if you are the $1,000 “richer” raffle winner.

The proceeds of the raffle will benefit the EMA MDF. EMA Marketers established the MDF to assure that the industry’s best interests are represented on the legislative and regulatory front. This fund has already effectively defeated regulatory initiatives such as proposed requirements to place the point of compliance for fuel quality at the retailer, to force a 10-micron diesel filter mandate as well as a costly wetlines retrofit and automatic temperature compensation (ATC) at retail.

A marketer can make corporate contributions by check or credit card to this program and there is no limit on the amount of contribution. All the money is used to support EMA lobbying goals. You can donate online by clicking here or scanning the QR code on the flyer.

Tickets are $25 each, or you can purchase five for $100! Advanced tickets are available until October 10. Ticket sales will continue at the Energy Marketers of America’s conference in Chicago until the drawing on October 14. Tickets can be purchased with personal or corporate funds by MasterCard, VISA, American Express, cash or check (checks should be made out to the Energy Marketers of America Marketer Defense Fund). To purchase advanced tickets before October 12, please email completed MDF Raffle flyer to Sabrina Pitcher.

September 2025 Contributors to EMA MDF

EMA’s Marketer Defense Fund (MDF) committee wants to thank the following individuals for their MDF contributions during the September 1-30, 2025 timeframe:

Iowa:
John Maynes, FUELIowa

Kentucky:
Robbie Mulcahy, Kroger
Leah Taylor, Cumberland Lake Shell

Louisiana:
Luther W. Lott Jr., Lott Oil Company, Inc.
John Milazzo, Lard Oil company

Minnesota:
Lisa Hoffman, Staples Oil Company, Inc.
Lisa Hoffman, Best Oil Company

South Carolina:
Matthew Greene, Lindsay Oil Company, Inc.

Wyoming:
Shelly Ellenbecker, Ellenbecker Oil, Inc.

Corporate donations are acceptable. MDF funds have been used to create a COVID-19 Situational Update & Resources webpage, to hire experts to cover important regulatory agencies and disaster relief dedicated to strengthening our lobbying efforts on Capitol Hill. Click here to donate to the EMA MDF.

Weekend Reads

EIA hikes US oil output forecast, says oversupply will slash prices | yahoo!finance

Federated Insurance Risk Management Academy Complimentary Webinar
Fire Prevention: Thursday, October 16, 2025, 1:00 PM Central Time

This presentation will explore common fire hazards in businesses across the nation. It will go over how different industries and operations can be at risk and highlight how to identify various fire hazards to help prevent them before they start.

What You Will Learn:

• Current Statistics and Trends
• Common and Special Hazards
• Spontaneous Combustion
• Thermal Runaway
• Safe Practices

Who Should Attend:

• Business Owners / Operators
• Risk Managers
• Operations Managers
• HR Professionals

Please click link to REGISTER: RMA Complimentary Webinar Invitation

For additional information or to discuss this in further detail, please contact your Federated regional representative or EMA’s National Account Executive Jack West at 262.719.7750 for any additional information or risk management questions. Federated is a Partner in EMA’s Board of Directors Council.

Member Services Benefit with RINAlliance
Are You Taking Advantage of the Renewable Fuel Standard?

In 2024, the Energy Marketers of America announced an exclusive member service agreement with RINAlliance, so that every fuel marketer has an opportunity to leverage the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS).

Whether a fuel marketer is determining whether to blend and take renewable fuel with RINs, or whether they are a current RFS participant looking to improve RIN management, RINAlliance can help with strategies, tools and expert support.

Schedule your consultation today to learn more by visiting www.rinalliance.com/contact. Be sure to tell them you heard about RINAlliance through EMA or one of its Federation members.

Check Out EMA Journal Anytime Online

You can find our current issue here. You can take the digital edition with you wherever you go. Scroll to select the articles that catch your eye, then share the content with the icons at the top of your screen. Archived covers are handy on the left side of your browser or use our convenient search feature to find a specific topic. If you prefer to read with pages that flip, select "page view" from the menu bar for a classic page-turner.

For information on marketing to our members, please call 844.423.7272 or email them at advertise@innovativepublishing.com. EMA Fall Journal - featuring EMA’s Annual Directory - is expected to be online/mailed later this month. This issue features EMA’s Annual Directory and is retained as a reference guide year-round by our members so please bookmark it.

Ads for Winter 2026 (Chair Profile) are due by January 5, 2026 to be delivered in March 2026.