Today, Congressional Western Caucus Chairman Doug LaMalfa (CA-01) and Representative Julie Fedorchak (ND-AL) released these statements following House passage of S.J. Res. 31. This Congressional Review Act (CRA) Resolution overturns the Biden Administration’s “Once-In, Always-In” rule which permanently classified industrial facilities as “major sources” of emissions under the Clean Air Act regardless of steps taken to reduce emissions. The resolution passed by a vote of 216-212.
“This legislation is a win for American energy, innovation, and environmental stewardship. Right now, businesses that invest in cleaner technology and significantly reduce their emissions are still permanently labeled as major polluters. That makes no sense—and it removes any real incentive to improve,” said Rep. Fedorchak. “Our resolution fixes that by allowing facilities to reclassify once they’ve made meaningful progress. It rewards innovation, encourages continued investment in emissions reduction, and strengthens our economy by giving energy producers and manufacturers the certainty they need to grow, compete, and lead. I’m honored to have my first resolution pass the House and look forward to President Trump signing it into law.”
“A major focus of the Western Caucus is overturning excessive regulations that harm rural economies,” said Chairman LaMalfa. “The Biden Administration’s ‘Once-In, Always-In’ rule ignored the investments and actions taken by industries to reduce their emissions and rewarded their good-faith efforts instead with a permanent, stringent regulatory regime. Eliminating this rule will restore incentives to reduce industrial emissions where possible and tear down red tape discouraging American manufacturing and energy production.”
Representative Fedorchak introduced and led the House companion to this legislation, H.J. Res. 79.
