Press Releases

Today, Congressman Mike Ezell (MS-04) announced that his Congressional Review Act (CRA) joint resolution of disapproval, aimed at reversing the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management's (BOEM) rule restricting oil and gas production on the Outer Continental Shelf, has successfully passed the U.S. House of Representatives by a vote total of 221 Yeas, 202 Nays, 1 Present. The resolution now advances to President Trump's desk for signature.

The Senate version was introduced by Senator John Kennedy and Sen. Cindy Hyde-Smith and passed with bipartisan support last week.

“House passage of our resolution of disapproval moves us another step forward in overturning Biden’s regulatory assault on oil and gas production in the Gulf.  I look forward to President Trump signing this resolution while we look for other policies we can repeal,” Hyde-Smith said.

“In waging war on oil and gas producers, the Biden administration drove up prices for families and jeopardized our energy security. I am proud to see that the House passed my resolution to help bring back America’s energy dominance, and I look forward to President Trump signing it into law,” Kennedy said. 

The Biden administration’s BOEM archaeological rule is a solution in search of a problem, adding red tape without any real benefit," Erik Milito, President, NOIA  said. "The industry has led the way in the identification and protection of marine archaeological sites and will continue to do so without this extra bureaucracy. Congress should act swiftly through the CRA to repeal the rule and restore practical, commonsense offshore energy policies."

Under President Biden, the approach to American energy was clear: make production more difficult and raise prices for consumers,"  Thomas Pyle, President, American Energy Alliance said. "The BOEM rule, which mandated oil and gas leaseholders to conduct archaeological reports, only added unnecessary costs and delays to offshore development. We support Congress in its efforts to reverse this burdensome regulation and eagerly anticipate President Trump signing this bill into law. Measures like these are crucial for promoting domestic resource development and reducing prices for American families and businesses nationwide. 

The BOEM rule in question imposed stringent limitations on offshore oil and gas activities, which critics argued hindered domestic energy production and job creation. Ezell's resolution seeks to nullify these restrictions, promoting a balanced approach to energy development that considers both economic and environmental factors.

The Congressional Review Act provides Congress with the authority to review and overturn federal regulations issued by government agencies. Upon the President's signature, the disapproved rule is rendered void, and the issuing agency is prohibited from reissuing a substantially similar rule without explicit authorization from Congress.

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