A group of Senate Democrats crossed the aisle Tuesday to blow a hole in former President Joe Biden’s environmental legacy.
The Senate voted 54-44 on a resolution that would undo an Interior Department rule affecting offshore drilling. Democratic Sens. John Hickenlooper of Colorado, Catherine Cortez-Masto of Nevada and Jacky Rosen of Nevada joined all Republicans present to overturn the rule.
It was the Senate’s first action this year under the Congressional Review Act, which allows lawmakers to kill newly-issued rulemakings by simple majority. Both chambers have a slew of so-called CRA resolutions in the pipeline, with the House poised to vote as soon as tomorrow on rolling back Department of Energy efficiency standards affecting water heaters and regulations implementing a methane leak fee on the oil and gas industry.
The Biden rule the Senate targeted Tuesday currently compels oil and gas companies to produce an archaeological study before they’re allowed to drill, aiming to protect shipwrecks and other undersea cultural sites from drilling damage. Republicans have called it overly burdensome and a waste of money.
Hickenlooper appeared to agree: “It feels like there’s more paperwork without significant benefit. Democrats don’t like red tape any more than Republicans … It doesn’t improve drilling or wind or solar or anything out there, it really just creates work.”
Rosen said of her vote, “I don’t think it’s necessarily just about offshore drilling. We want to right-size regulations.”
Moderate Democrats voted with Republicans last year on several CRA resolutions against Biden rules. But back then, the Democratic president was able to veto them. Measures approved this year will likely become law with House Republicans also voting in favor and President Donald Trump eager to offer his signature.
