H.J. Res. 42 – Providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Department of Energy relating to "Energy Conservation Program for Appliance Standards: Certification Requirements, Labeling Requirements, and Enforcement Provisions for Certain Consumer Products and Commercial Equipment".; H.J. Res. 61 – Providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Environmental Protection Agency relating to "National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants: Rubber Tire Manufacturing".; S.J. Res. 11 – Providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management relating to ‘‘Protection of Marine Archaeological Resources’’.
2025-03-03
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Source: Congress.gov
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Good afternoon. The committee will come to order. Without objection, the chair is authorized to declare recess at any time. Today, the Rules Committee is convening to consider three separate measures, HJ Res 42, HJ Res 61, SJ Res 11. Before I discuss these three measures, let me make one thing abundantly clear. Gone are the days of the government knows best mentality that Americans suffered under the Biden administration. For four straight years, the Biden administration worked hard to deny freedom of consumer choice in all aspects of our lives. Like the American people, the private sector also found itself under the thumb of an administration hellbent on mandating subservience and control. Companies found themselves twisted in regulatory knots because the Biden administration issued misguided mandate after misguided mandate. The onslaught was never ending, but it's a new day. We have a Republican controlled Congress and President Trump is back at the White House. We're determined to give American consumers choice again and allow the business community to flourish and create unbridled value. without the threat of government encroachment. Now onto our first measure, H.J. Res. 42, a Congressional Review Act resolution that would nullify a Department of Energy rule that pushes arbitrary product mandates that drive up costs for consumers and hamstrings consumer choice. I said this during our last meeting, and I'll say it again. Consumer choice is not something to be trifled with. This rule is devoid of any reasonable solution to increase the efficiency of consumer products. Ordinary consumers stand to gain absolutely nothing from it.
Our next measure is H.J. Res. 61, a Congressional Review Act resolution that will nullify a midnight rule issued by the Environmental Protection Agency that slaps dubious emissions standards on the manufacturing of rubber tires. What's particularly risible about the EPA's rule is that the agency's own risk review found that the rule was not necessary to protect public health and, in fact, may even increase carbon emissions. That same risk review could not quantify any public health benefits from the rule. The sheer level of incompetence that went into formulating this rule in the first place is mind boggling. Our last measure is SJ Res 11, a Congressional Review Act resolution that would nullify another midnight rule issued by the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management. that specifically targets American energy producers with a barrage of unnecessary regulations. The justification for the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management's rule is to, quote, better protect shipwrecks and other cultural resources on the seabed from potential harm due to offshore oil and gas activities, end quote. The mandate is completely misguided, and it will force American energy producers to spend untold resources on scouring ocean seafloors for potential shipwrecks without having a single indication of whether they exist in the area. We're returning to American energy dominance again in our country, and this rule acts as another regulatory cog that will do more harm than good. It's time that we put these three Biden administration rules through the shredder and move forward.
And before I begin, I want to I want to take a moment to acknowledge the passing of our former former Congressman Lincoln Diaz a lot. Lincoln served on the Rules Committee, and while we didn't always agree, I respected him because he believed in the power of good governance and fair debate. He understood that our role as lawmakers is about working for the American people, and it was an honor to serve with him, and my prayers go out to his family at this difficult time. Thank you, Mr. McGovern. I appreciate you doing that. And now on to the business of the day. Madam Chair, last week Republicans passed a budget resolution that paves the way for their betrayal of the middle class, stealing from hardworking people so they can give tax breaks to billionaires. This week, they're doubling down, dismantling protections that keep people healthy and safe. Even worse, while Republicans complain about home appliances and car tires, issues that don't even crack the top 100 concerns that I hear from my constituents, the GOP is quietly pushing Trump's broader agenda of destruction. Now, just look at what is happening. Doge sacked hundreds of workers who keep our nuclear weapons safe, then scrambled to rehire those workers when they realized they screwed up. They fired critical staff from VA hospitals, including disabled veterans.
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