Senator McConnell Introduces Measure to Overturn EPA’s Regulation on New Coal-Fired Plants
‘Senators in both parties are saying enough is enough...It’s the beginning of a new front to defend hardworking Middle Class Americans from massive regulations that target them’
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell and Senator Joe Manchin (D-WV) introduced a resolution of disapproval under the Congressional Review Act (CRA) designed to stop the Obama Administration from imposing its anti-coal regulation on new coal-fired plants. Senator McConnell also joined Senators Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV) and Heidi Heitkamp (D-ND) in filing a separate CRA that relates to the regulation affecting existing coal-fired plants.
The Obama Administration’s costly power plan regulations were published in the Federal Register on Friday. A CRA provides Congress the ability to eliminate onerous regulations imposed by the executive branch through an expedited procedure for consideration in the Senate.
Senator McConnell plans to schedule votes on the CRAs later this year. If both CRAs are enacted into law, they would nullify both pillars of the costly power rule even if portions of the plan have already gone into effect.
Earlier today, Senator McConnell spoke about the measures on the Senate floor:
“The Obama Administration recently published massive energy regulations that won’t do a thing to meaningfully affect global carbon levels.
“It won’t make any noticeable difference to the global environment.
“But it will ship more Middle-Class jobs overseas. It will punish the poor. It will make it even harder for coal families in states like Kentucky to put food on the table.
“In other words, it’s facts-optional extremism wrapped in callous indifference.
“Senators in both parties are saying enough is enough.
“We’ve filed bipartisan measures that would allow Congress to overturn these two-pronged regressive regulations.
“I joined Senator Heitkamp, a Democrat, and Senator Capito, a Republican, on a measure that would address the prong that pertains to existing energy sources.
“Democratic Senator Manchin joined me as I introduced a measure that would address the prong that pertains to new energy sources.
“Together, these measures represent a comprehensive solution. Colleagues will join me to speak about these resolutions later today. I’m sure they’ll say more about the measures we’ve filed and the process associated with them.
“What everyone should know is this.
“The publication of these regulations does not represent an end, but a beginning. It’s the beginning of a new front to defend hardworking Middle Class Americans from massive regulations that target them.
“That front is opening here in Congress, and it’s opening across the country as states file lawsuits and Governors stand up for their own Middle Class constituents.
“The battle may not be short or easy. But Kentuckians and hardworking Americans should know that I’m going to keep standing up for them throughout.”
Related Issues: Regulations, Jobs, Energy, Coal, Economy, EPA, Middle Class
Next Previous
