House votes to strike down two Obama-era rules
By Devin Henry - 02/01/17 04:52 PM EST 124
Lawmakers took the first step Wednesday toward repealing environmental regulations issued late in the Obama administration.
The House passed two Congressional Review Act challenges against former President Obama-era rules that Republicans have called a burden for fossil fuel companies.
One of the regulations — the Stream Protection Rule that was finalized by the Interior Department in December — has been a longtime target of Republicans. The party tried multiple times to block the Office of Surface Mining from issuing the rule under Obama but never succeeded; with majorities in the House and Senate and President Trump in the White House, they’re now likely to strip the rule from the books.
“This is poor procedure that has produced a poor rule, which will result in poor policy,” House Natural Resources Committee Chairman Rob Bishop (R-Utah) said during floor debate on Wednesday.
“At best, this rule is redundant. It is clearly unnecessary, and it does have the potential of hurting people nefariously, which it does not need to do.”
Regulators reviewed the Stream Protection Rule for nearly the entire Obama presidency before finalizing it in December. Regulators and environmentalists said it would help protect waterways from the effects of mountaintop mining pollution and prevent negative health impacts for people living in those areas.
“Communities in the Appalachian Mountains, vital salmon streams in Alaska and much-needed water supplies across this country will be left dealing with the aftermath, while our Republican colleagues boast about providing so-called regulatory relief,” Rep. Jared Huffman (D-Calif.) charged.
“For all the talk about coal jobs from Republicans and our new president, you would think they care a little about protecting the health of these coal miners and their families and these communities.”
But the coal industry — already suffering due to market conditions in the energy sector — says the rule will hurt companies and their employees, with one industry-funded analysis saying the measure would kill hundreds of thousands of jobs.
“The Stream Protection Rule is not about protecting streams,” Rep. Bill Johnson (R-Ohio) said. “It was designed for one purpose: to regulate the coal industry out of business. It was the centerpiece of the Obama administration’s war on coal.”
The measure passed the House 228-194 Wednesday. Two senators introduced a version of the Stream Protection resolution earlier this week and could move quickly on the House-passed bill.
Republicans say President Trump supports the legislation.
The House also approved a CRA resolution undoing a Securities and Exchange Commission rule issued under the Dodd-Frank Act that requires oil, natural gas and mineral developers to file more detailed financial information. Fossil fuel companies have said the rule would put them at disadvantage against foreign competitors that don’t have to make such filings.
“This is just one regulation out of thousands and thousands that are burdening our companies, our job creators,” Rep. Jeb Hensarling (R-Texas) said. That bill passed 235-187.
The resolutions are the first of several the House will consider under the Congressional Review Act this week.
On Thursday, House Republicans are expected to strike down two more Obama-era regulations: a Labor Department rule requiring federal contractors to report labor violations they've committed, and a Social Security Administration gun regulation focused on disability recipients who suffer from mental disorders.
The Friday schedule includes a resolution undoing an Interior Department methane rule for natural gas developers.
The breadth of Republicans’ regulatory assault this week is unprecedented. Only one CRA measure has been signed into law since the Congressional Review Act took effect in the 1990s — and that was in 2001. Congress passed several CRA resolutions against rules during Obama’s presidency, but he vetoed all of them.
The Congressional Review Act gives lawmakers the power to undo administrative rules shortly after they are issued.
Republicans see the law as a tool for undoing rules issued by the Obama administration late in his term and without congressional buy-in.
“The CRA actually has three purposes in mind: They said if a rule has excessive costs, if the rule goes beyond the particular agency’s statutory authority, or if the rule is duplicative or unnecessary, it should be reviewed by Congress and rescinded,” Bishop said. The Stream Protection Rule, he said, meet “all three of those criteria.”
Democrats have pushed back on the effort, not only because they generally support the rules the GOP is targeting, but also because the CRA process is so politically fraught.
In an interview, Rep. Raúl Grijalva (D-Ariz.) noted that CRA resolutions stop regulators from writing rules that are similar to the rules that are being blocked. By undoing a rule and preventing a similar one in the future, Grijalva said, “it’s a double-kill.”
“You turn back the clock to what was, and usually there was nothing,” he said. “You effectively then prevent, in the future, any means to address that problem. I think it’s cowardly to do it this way and not have a full debate on the merits.”
http://thehill.com/policy/energy-environment/317421-house-votes-to-strike-down-two-obama-era-rules
By Devin Henry - 02/01/17 04:52 PM EST 124
Lawmakers took the first step Wednesday toward repealing environmental regulations issued late in the Obama administration.
The House passed two Congressional Review Act challenges against former President Obama-era rules that Republicans have called a burden for fossil fuel companies.
One of the regulations — the Stream Protection Rule that was finalized by the Interior Department in December — has been a longtime target of Republicans. The party tried multiple times to block the Office of Surface Mining from issuing the rule under Obama but never succeeded; with majorities in the House and Senate and President Trump in the White House, they’re now likely to strip the rule from the books.
“This is poor procedure that has produced a poor rule, which will result in poor policy,” House Natural Resources Committee Chairman Rob Bishop (R-Utah) said during floor debate on Wednesday.
“At best, this rule is redundant. It is clearly unnecessary, and it does have the potential of hurting people nefariously, which it does not need to do.”
Regulators reviewed the Stream Protection Rule for nearly the entire Obama presidency before finalizing it in December. Regulators and environmentalists said it would help protect waterways from the effects of mountaintop mining pollution and prevent negative health impacts for people living in those areas.
“Communities in the Appalachian Mountains, vital salmon streams in Alaska and much-needed water supplies across this country will be left dealing with the aftermath, while our Republican colleagues boast about providing so-called regulatory relief,” Rep. Jared Huffman (D-Calif.) charged.
“For all the talk about coal jobs from Republicans and our new president, you would think they care a little about protecting the health of these coal miners and their families and these communities.”
But the coal industry — already suffering due to market conditions in the energy sector — says the rule will hurt companies and their employees, with one industry-funded analysis saying the measure would kill hundreds of thousands of jobs.
“The Stream Protection Rule is not about protecting streams,” Rep. Bill Johnson (R-Ohio) said. “It was designed for one purpose: to regulate the coal industry out of business. It was the centerpiece of the Obama administration’s war on coal.”
The measure passed the House 228-194 Wednesday. Two senators introduced a version of the Stream Protection resolution earlier this week and could move quickly on the House-passed bill.
Republicans say President Trump supports the legislation.
The House also approved a CRA resolution undoing a Securities and Exchange Commission rule issued under the Dodd-Frank Act that requires oil, natural gas and mineral developers to file more detailed financial information. Fossil fuel companies have said the rule would put them at disadvantage against foreign competitors that don’t have to make such filings.
“This is just one regulation out of thousands and thousands that are burdening our companies, our job creators,” Rep. Jeb Hensarling (R-Texas) said. That bill passed 235-187.
The resolutions are the first of several the House will consider under the Congressional Review Act this week.
On Thursday, House Republicans are expected to strike down two more Obama-era regulations: a Labor Department rule requiring federal contractors to report labor violations they've committed, and a Social Security Administration gun regulation focused on disability recipients who suffer from mental disorders.
The Friday schedule includes a resolution undoing an Interior Department methane rule for natural gas developers.
The breadth of Republicans’ regulatory assault this week is unprecedented. Only one CRA measure has been signed into law since the Congressional Review Act took effect in the 1990s — and that was in 2001. Congress passed several CRA resolutions against rules during Obama’s presidency, but he vetoed all of them.
The Congressional Review Act gives lawmakers the power to undo administrative rules shortly after they are issued.
Republicans see the law as a tool for undoing rules issued by the Obama administration late in his term and without congressional buy-in.
“The CRA actually has three purposes in mind: They said if a rule has excessive costs, if the rule goes beyond the particular agency’s statutory authority, or if the rule is duplicative or unnecessary, it should be reviewed by Congress and rescinded,” Bishop said. The Stream Protection Rule, he said, meet “all three of those criteria.”
Democrats have pushed back on the effort, not only because they generally support the rules the GOP is targeting, but also because the CRA process is so politically fraught.
In an interview, Rep. Raúl Grijalva (D-Ariz.) noted that CRA resolutions stop regulators from writing rules that are similar to the rules that are being blocked. By undoing a rule and preventing a similar one in the future, Grijalva said, “it’s a double-kill.”
“You turn back the clock to what was, and usually there was nothing,” he said. “You effectively then prevent, in the future, any means to address that problem. I think it’s cowardly to do it this way and not have a full debate on the merits.”
http://thehill.com/policy/energy-environment/317421-house-votes-to-strike-down-two-obama-era-rules
Yesterday at 3:15 pm by Rocky
» utube MM&C 10/17/24 MM&C News Reporting - Iraq Dinar Updates 10/16/2024
Yesterday at 8:13 am by Rocky
» Aides CUT OFF Interview as Kamala Harris BOMBS on Fox News
Yesterday at 6:59 am by Rocky
» Trump's women's voters town hall oct 16-24
Yesterday at 6:59 am by Rocky
» MM&C 10/16/24 Iraq Increases Reserves at IMF by 50%
Yesterday at 6:58 am by Rocky
» MM&C 10/15/24 US Senate enters the line of pressure on the Central Bank of Iraq
Yesterday at 6:57 am by Rocky
» utube MM&C 10/15/24 Attention to Valuation-Revaluation of Currency-IMF-WB-Viewpoints
Yesterday at 6:57 am by Rocky
» Trade Bank of Iraq announces the imminent opening of Al-Saydiyah and Al-Samawah branches
Yesterday at 6:53 am by Rocky
» Finance launches third issue of government bonds “Enjaz” for public subscription
Yesterday at 6:52 am by Rocky
» Washington: We support Iraq’s economic reform agenda, updating the budget and enhancing transparency
Yesterday at 6:49 am by Rocky
» Muqtada al-Sadr: German Foreign Minister must retract her statements supporting the killing of civil
Yesterday at 6:44 am by Rocky
» About $270 million in sales from the Central Bank of Iraq at today's auction
Yesterday at 6:42 am by Rocky
» Oil Ministry: Iraq is one of the worst violators of gas flaring rules
Yesterday at 6:41 am by Rocky
» Al-Sudani chairs a meeting to follow up on efforts to develop the work of the government banking sec
Yesterday at 6:39 am by Rocky
» Al-Sudani stresses the importance of banking reform in enhancing citizen confidence and cooperation
Yesterday at 6:36 am by Rocky
» BRICS currency.. Government advisor: A global monetary and financial system is about to be born
Yesterday at 5:56 am by Bama Diva
» Iraq imports 17% of Jordanian food industry products
Yesterday at 5:08 am by Rocky
» MP: 3 Iraqi messages at the International Conference of Speakers of Parliaments in Geneva
Yesterday at 5:05 am by Rocky
» The Minister of Oil dismisses the Director General of the North Oil Company from his position
Yesterday at 5:03 am by Rocky
» Nechirvan Barzani calls on Baghdad not to be afraid of arming the Peshmerga: They are defending Iraq
Yesterday at 5:02 am by Rocky
» Two waste sites identified for use in energy generation in Baghdad
Yesterday at 5:00 am by Rocky
» EU seeks to build economic corridor with Gulf states
Yesterday at 4:57 am by Rocky
» Industry announces obligating brick factories to switch to gas instead of black oil
Yesterday at 4:56 am by Rocky
» Iraq ranks third in real estate purchases in Türkiye during the month
Yesterday at 4:55 am by Rocky
» The President of the Republic discusses the investment situation in the country
Yesterday at 4:53 am by Rocky
» Iraq reconstruction projects before Arab ministers
Yesterday at 4:52 am by Rocky
» Al-Sudani: The government has regained the confidence of citizens
Yesterday at 4:51 am by Rocky
» Major government campaign to combat environmental pollution
Yesterday at 4:50 am by Rocky
» The food basket and care increased the citizen’s share of the GDP.
Yesterday at 4:48 am by Rocky
» Economic Contradictions: Argentina as a Model
Yesterday at 4:47 am by Rocky
» Malians: No significant impact of dollar's rise in markets
Yesterday at 4:46 am by Rocky
» Calls to speed up the establishment of the {Bank of the Poor}
Yesterday at 4:45 am by Rocky
» Today.. The Kurdistan government announces a list of September salaries
Yesterday at 4:40 am by Rocky
» Al-Sudani pledges to adopt a 5-dimensional "integrated strategy" to support Diyala
Yesterday at 4:38 am by Rocky
» Barzani and Erdogan discuss the development road project
Yesterday at 4:37 am by Rocky
» The Presidency of the Republic calls for submitting applications regarding death sentences that do n
Yesterday at 4:36 am by Rocky
» Iraq is heading to import gas from deep in Asia
Yesterday at 4:34 am by Rocky
» They brought in about 4 billion dollars.. Iran receives more than 4 million tourists, led by Iraq, i
Yesterday at 4:30 am by Rocky
» Will "Turkmen gas" change the reality of electricity in Iraq?
Yesterday at 4:29 am by Rocky
» Politician: US Ambassador Failed to Create Western Veto on Parliament Laws
Yesterday at 4:27 am by Rocky
» White House adopts hotline with Baghdad in preparation for indirect negotiations with Tehran
Yesterday at 4:25 am by Rocky
» Deputy Minister of Oil publishes phrases for unknown reasons on his Facebook account
Yesterday at 4:24 am by Rocky
» He inaugurated and announced strategic projects and issued 3 important decisions.. Dimensions of Al-
Yesterday at 4:23 am by Rocky
» The trial period for raising the prices of improved gasoline has ended, and the amount of revenues i
Yesterday at 4:22 am by Rocky
» Iraq is the fourth in the world in violating “Internet freedom” during 2024
Yesterday at 4:21 am by Rocky
» Parliament Speaker Crisis Looms.. Coordination Framework Agrees to Support Al-Mashhadani
Yesterday at 4:19 am by Rocky
» Al-Sudani Party: Parliament fully supports the Prime Minister
Yesterday at 4:19 am by Rocky
» Kurdistan Finance Deposits More Than 77 Billion in Non-Oil Revenues into Baghdad Treasury
Yesterday at 4:17 am by Rocky
» Causing environmental pollution.. Closure of 30 metal smelting sites east of Baghdad
Yesterday at 4:15 am by Rocky
» Traffic announces the imminent start of issuing license plates for taxis, trucks and bicycles
Yesterday at 4:14 am by Rocky
» A huge fire devours a hypermarket in Baghdad
Yesterday at 4:13 am by Rocky
» Planning: The general census will collect accurate information on employees in the public and privat
Yesterday at 4:12 am by Rocky
» The Commission announces its full readiness to hold the Kurdistan Regional Parliament elections
Yesterday at 4:11 am by Rocky
» The Coordination Framework agrees to support Al-Mashhadani for the presidency of Parliament
Yesterday at 4:10 am by Rocky
» Sunni political meeting to discuss general amnesty and the issue of the position of the Speaker of P
Yesterday at 4:09 am by Rocky
» Petroleum Products: The percentage of imports of derivatives decreased to 50 percent
Yesterday at 4:08 am by Rocky
» "Medicines in Iraq" .. Talk about smuggled treatments and the absence of a pharmaceutical policy
Yesterday at 4:05 am by Rocky
» Dollar exchange rate drops on Thursday morning
Yesterday at 4:03 am by Rocky
» "Suspicion" in Karbala Refinery: Failure to train Iraqi cadres.. Korean will renew the operating con
Yesterday at 4:02 am by Rocky
» Parliamentary Committee Talks About Economic Reform Law: It Reached Parliament Months Ago
Yesterday at 4:00 am by Rocky
» New Study Talks About an American Crime: Uranium Fingerprint in the Blood of Iraqis
Yesterday at 3:59 am by Rocky
» Electoral silence in Kurdistan before stormy vote
Yesterday at 3:58 am by Rocky
» Special voting for Kurdistan elections starts tomorrow and the commission announces its readiness
Yesterday at 3:57 am by Rocky
» Iraq's 2025 budget returns to the forefront, so what are the demands?
Yesterday at 3:55 am by Rocky
» great interview President Trump's Interview with Bloomberg at The Economic Club of Chicago
Wed 16 Oct 2024, 7:03 am by Rocky
» Foreign remittance sales increase by 97% at Central Bank auction
Wed 16 Oct 2024, 6:44 am by Rocky
» Al-Maliki invites international companies to invest in agriculture in Iraq
Wed 16 Oct 2024, 5:14 am by Rocky
» MP urges Sunni forces to decide on Parliament Speakership
Wed 16 Oct 2024, 5:12 am by Rocky
» Al-Sudani is upset with the procrastination and threatens to withdraw the Australian hospital projec
Wed 16 Oct 2024, 5:11 am by Rocky
» The Coordination Framework agrees to support Al-Mashhadani for the presidency of Parliament and pass
Wed 16 Oct 2024, 5:10 am by Rocky
» Finance Minister and US Ambassador Discuss Government Efforts to Achieve Economic Reforms
Wed 16 Oct 2024, 5:08 am by Rocky
» Parliamentary Services: Nearly 80% of waste landfill sites do not have environmental approvals
Wed 16 Oct 2024, 5:06 am by Rocky
» "The rise of the dollar is not the reason".. An expert reveals the reasons for the rise in meat pric
Wed 16 Oct 2024, 5:05 am by Rocky
» Al-Sudani lists the implementation of 99 schools in Diyala with funding from this party
Wed 16 Oct 2024, 5:04 am by Rocky
» Al-Furatain Bloc: Al-Sudani's government is working to complete all service projects on time
Wed 16 Oct 2024, 5:03 am by Rocky
» The Central Bank reveals the percentage of gold in Iraq's foreign currency reserves
Wed 16 Oct 2024, 5:02 am by Rocky
» Rusafa is cleaner than Karkh.. Analysis of the air pollution index in Baghdad
Wed 16 Oct 2024, 5:00 am by Rocky
» Medical complex for the treatment of psychological disorders and drug addiction
Wed 16 Oct 2024, 4:59 am by Rocky
» Toxic waste
Wed 16 Oct 2024, 4:58 am by Rocky
» Al-Sudani: We have started to address environmental pollution
Wed 16 Oct 2024, 4:57 am by Rocky
» Opening of Bastora Dam in Erbil
Wed 16 Oct 2024, 4:55 am by Rocky
» A move to build hospitals to treat mental disorders
Wed 16 Oct 2024, 4:54 am by Rocky
» Al-Naili to {Sabah}: Starting to establish the Martyrs Fund
Wed 16 Oct 2024, 4:53 am by Rocky
» National Lending Strategy
Wed 16 Oct 2024, 4:51 am by Rocky
» Exporting aviation fuel... a new step towards diversifying revenues
Wed 16 Oct 2024, 4:50 am by Rocky
» Oil falls, OPEC cuts growth forecast
Wed 16 Oct 2024, 4:49 am by Rocky
» Foreign Minister leaves Baghdad on a European tour that begins with a visit to Ireland and ends in F
Wed 16 Oct 2024, 4:48 am by Rocky
» Launching of the activities of the international scientific conference under the slogan "Development
Wed 16 Oct 2024, 4:46 am by Rocky
» Parliamentary recommendations to update the proposed law on the organization of trade unions for wor
Wed 16 Oct 2024, 4:44 am by Rocky
» Minister of Finance stresses the importance of partnership with the United States to achieve sustain
Wed 16 Oct 2024, 4:43 am by Rocky
» Minister of Transport supervises the submersion of concrete pieces of the submerged tunnel in the Gr
Wed 16 Oct 2024, 4:41 am by Rocky
» The Parliamentary Oil Committee meets with the Minister of Electricity to explain the mechanisms for
Wed 16 Oct 2024, 4:40 am by Rocky
» MP calls for electing a chairman for the Nineveh Investment Commission
Wed 16 Oct 2024, 4:39 am by Rocky
» The Council of Ministers decides to appoint 7 general managers in various ministries
Wed 16 Oct 2024, 4:38 am by Rocky
» Transport issues clarification regarding a photo of its Minister with the Minister of Oil: Private v
Wed 16 Oct 2024, 4:36 am by Rocky
» Barzani heads to Ankara tomorrow carrying 6 files
Wed 16 Oct 2024, 4:35 am by Rocky
» Al-Sudani puts major countries before their responsibilities
Wed 16 Oct 2024, 4:34 am by Rocky
» Iraqi oil suffers heavy losses in third session of the week
Wed 16 Oct 2024, 4:32 am by Rocky
» Al-Hakim calls for greater attention to food security and agricultural production
Wed 16 Oct 2024, 4:31 am by Rocky