Public Health News Roundup, March 13, 2025

by Jon Scaccia March 13, 2025

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Shutdown Looms as Democrats Say They Won’t Back Spending Bill

Senate Democrats have rejected a Republican-proposed stopgap bill to fund the government through September 30, increasing the likelihood of a federal shutdown at week’s end. This standoff underscores a significant political impasse, with Democrats opposed to what they perceive as a bill that grants excessive control to Trump and Musk to undercut federal agencies, exacerbating tensions over potential blame for a shutdown and reflecting deep partisan divisions on budgetary decisions. Meanwhile, the Environmental Protection Agency’s cancellation of $20 billion in climate grants amidst allegations of a rushed, oversight-lacking scheme reflects another layer of the fraught political environment, involving legal challenges and claims of abuse of power by the agency’s new administration under Trump.

If Trump cuts Medicaid, this California Republican’s House seat would be imperiled

Rep. David Valadao, a Republican from California’s Central Valley, opted to align with party lines by voting for a budget resolution that risks cutting Medicaid funding, a crucial program for over half a million of his constituents. Facing potential political backlash and the ire of Medicaid-dependent residents in his district, Valadao’s decision sets the stage for a challenging re-election battle as he navigates maintaining trust in his commitment to safeguarding essential healthcare services.

Energy potential of elephant grass broth as biomass for biogas production

The study explores the potential of elephant grass (EG) as a sustainable bioenergy source, highlighting its adaptability, high biomass yield, and suitability for various energy applications. By investigating six genotypes, researchers found that extracting the broth not only enhances the calorific value of EG bagasse for combustion but also provides a valuable substrate for industrial biogas production through anaerobic co-digestion, promising a dual benefit for renewable energy development. Future research is encouraged to focus on EG’s environmental and economic effectiveness, particularly its application in biogas production as a part of a sustainable bioenergy matrix.