During the initial 100 days of their bicameral majority, Republicans have successfully repealed seven regulations established by President Joe Biden, with assistance from President Donald Trump in some instances. These regulations primarily focused on energy-related policies, which Republicans contend impose excessive burdens on producers and increase costs for consumers. However, a report indicated that numerous additional regulatory changes are anticipated in the near future.
The Washington Times reported that, to date, the regulations repealed by Republicans encompass: an Environmental Protection Agency rule that imposed a methane emission fee on oil and natural gas facilities, which Republicans argue has hindered domestic energy production; and a stipulation requiring new oil and gas leaseholders on the outer continental shelf to provide an archaeological report prior to commencing offshore drilling operations.
Two regulations from the Energy Department mandate increased energy efficiency standards for gas-fired hot water heaters as well as for walk-in coolers and freezers. House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) stated, ‘House Republicans are utilizing the Congressional Review Act to assist President Trump in reversing the adverse effects of the Biden Administration’s policies on American energy,’ following the repeal of one of the regulations, as reported by the Times.
The Republican-controlled Congress is poised to revoke additional regulations from the Biden era before the opportunity for expedited action expires. Legislators are working against a deadline set by the Congressional Review Act (CRA), which permits them to annul executive branch regulations through an accelerated procedure.
For most of Biden’s regulations, the deadline expires next month. After that, CRA resolutions can still be considered, but they will lose their special status in the Senate, exposing them to potential filibusters.
In February, Majority Leader Steve Scalise, a Republican from Louisiana, released a list of 10 Biden administration regulations that the GOP wanted to overturn. So far, the House of Representatives and the Senate have passed joint resolutions to repeal five regulations from Scalise’s list, as well as two others that were not originally targeted.
Three additional CRA measures, including two from Scalise’s list, have passed the House and are awaiting a decision from the Senate. President Trump has already signed three CRA resolutions into law, while four others that have passed both chambers are waiting for formal submission to him, as reported by the Times. Two regulations affecting the oil and gas industry were the first to be signed into law in March.
The Republicans in the House of Representatives have also passed CRA measures to eliminate the consumption limits for commercial refrigerators and freezers, as well as the certification, labeling, and enforcement requirements for 20 products, including dishwashers, washing machines, central air conditioners, and heat pumps.
The President has also not yet received any CRA measures that repeal two regulations of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau – one that eliminates new rules for digital payment applications like Venmo and PayPal, which handle over 50 million consumer transactions annually, and another that repeals a regulation limiting banks’ overdraft fees, reported the Times.
