congressional review act
Newsletter
Credit: Kristina Volgenau/Unsplash
Racing against time to solidify Biden's environmental regulations
In an effort to safeguard pivotal environmental policies, the Biden administration is hastening to finalize key regulations before a legislative deadline that could see them overturned.
In short:
- Federal agencies are urgently working to finalize environmental and energy policies to prevent potential reversals under the Congressional Review Act.
- The exact deadline is uncertain, complicating efforts to secure these regulations against future political challenges.
- Several significant rules are in the pipeline, including standards for greenhouse gas emissions and updates to oil and gas royalties.
Key quote:
“It’s tough for agencies during the Biden administration because they don’t know if this will be the end. They’re rushing, and they could be rushing for a moot point.”
— Susan Dudley, former administrator of the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs
Why this matters:
The Congressional Review Act allows Congress, with a simple majority in both the House and Senate, to review and potentially repeal federal regulations during a period that begins in the last 60 legislative days of the 2024 session. Currently, the start date of that window remains uncertain. Biden could veto congressional resolutions to repeal, but if Donald Trump wins the election in November and Republicans achieve a congressional majority, it could set the stage for overturning a multitude of new environmental regulations. The CRA also prevents the executive branch from reissuing a similar rule in the future unless Congress authorizes it through new legislation.
In 2021, Peter Dykstra wrote: Biden takes a run at America's glaring environmental problems. Can he succeed?
Keep reading...Show less
EPA's refinery exemptions denial not subject to Congressional Review Act, GAO says
The determination closes the door on potential efforts by lawmakers to use the law to undo the agency's action.
Top Story
EPA is 'falling behind' on power plant rules, report says
If the rules are issued in the waning days of Biden's first term, a future Republican-controlled Congress could overturn them using the Congressional Review Act.
www.nytimes.com
Senate to reinstate Obama-era controls on climate-warming methane
Senate Democrats on Wednesday will use a once-obscure law to resurrect Obama-era regulations on methane that the Trump administration had wiped away.
Democrats want to use the Congressional Review Act to reinstate methane rules
Senate Majority Leader Charles E. Schumer announced Thursday he is backing an effort to restore Environmental Protection Agency requirements meant to fix leaks of the potent greenhouse gas from new wells and pipelines.
www.eenews.net
Senate Democrats eye quick repeal of Trump rules
The impending power shift in the Senate means Congress will once again turn to the Congressional Review Act to scrap a bevy of regulations.
www.eenews.net
EPA: Wheeler unveils final rule to limit agency's use of science
The Trump administration, during its last days in power, fired another shot in its war on regulations and science-based policies, rewriting the rules on the use of scientific research at EPA.
ORIGINAL REPORTING
MOST POPULAR
CLIMATE
