Sw Louisiana News

Congressman Clay Higgins (R-LA) has introduced a Congressional Review Act (CRA) resolution in response to the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) new rule. The regulation impacts the production of chemicals essential for numerous everyday products and key industries such as agriculture, healthcare, and semiconductors.

The rule imposes regulatory burdens on chemical facilities, affecting at least 195 sites nationwide, including many in Louisiana. Congressman Higgins criticized the rule, stating, “The Biden administration continues to put America last through their Green New Deal, job-killing energy policies. The implications of this rule undermine American jobs and domestic manufacturing. While it is important that we take a balanced approach when considering the environmental impacts of our energy resources, we cannot forcibly shut down companies that do not align with agenda-driven leftist policies. We must prioritize America first.”

Chris Jahn, President and CEO of the American Chemistry Council (ACC), expressed support for Rep. Higgins' initiative. “ACC and our members applaud Rep. Higgins for leading on this important issue and for working to protect American innovation,” said Jahn. He added that despite some changes made by EPA to the final rule, "the Agency still relies on severely flawed science and outdated facility emissions data." Jahn emphasized that this jeopardizes access to critical chemistries needed for national priorities such as healthcare access, electric vehicles, and semiconductors.

The Congressional Review Act allows Congress to express disapproval of an executive branch decision. If both the House and Senate approve the resolution with sufficient support, it can be sent to the President's desk to rescind the rule.

Read the resolution here.