The Senate on Thursday voted 52–46 to overturn a key Environmental Protection Agency rule tied to the Clean Air Act, marking the first time in the law’s 55-year history that Congress has voted to weaken its authority. The rule, finalized under President Biden in 2024, required major polluters such as chemical plants and oil refineries to permanently maintain stringent emissions controls on seven of the most toxic air pollutants.
Sen. John Curtis (R-UT), who sponsored the resolution under the Congressional Review Act, argued the regulation stifled innovation and punished companies even after reducing pollution. The vote now sends the measure to the Republican-controlled House, where it is also expected to pass.
Environmental groups condemned the rollback, warning it would expose communities to chemicals like mercury, PCBs, and dioxins linked to cancer and birth defects. “Senate Republicans voted to allow thousands of major polluters to shut off protections,” said Melody Reis of Moms Clean Air Force.
The rule’s repeal is a major win for fossil fuel and petrochemical industries, long opposed to the “Once in, Always In” policy.
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CBS News – MBFC Rating
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