A contentious bill targeting regulations issued in President Biden's final months sparks heated debate on Capitol Hill.
According to Daily Caller, the House of Representatives passed the Midnight Rules Relief Act with a 212-208 vote, aiming to simplify the process of overturning multiple regulations implemented during the Biden administration's last 60 days.
The legislation, introduced by Republican Representative Andy Biggs of Arizona, received support from only one Democrat, Representative Henry Cuellar of Texas. The bill modifies the Congressional Review Act to allow Congress to eliminate multiple regulations simultaneously, rather than addressing them one at a time.
Speaker Mike Johnson emphasized the urgency of the legislation, pointing to approximately 1,400 regulations imposed during Biden's final months. The American Action Forum's analysis reveals that Biden's regulatory costs throughout his term reached nearly $2 trillion, with the Environmental Protection Agency responsible for more than half of these expenses.
The bill's passage marks Biggs' second attempt to push this legislation through Congress. His previous effort in December secured House approval with a 210-201 vote but failed to advance in the Senate under then-Majority Leader Chuck Schumer's leadership.
Republican lawmakers have already begun utilizing Congressional Review Act resolutions to challenge specific Biden administration policies. Notable among these is a joint resolution by Senator John Hoeven and Representative August Pfluger targeting the EPA's methane emissions tax on oil and natural gas producers.
Representative Biggs, speaking about the legislation's importance, stated:
The Midnight Rules Relief Act will allow Congress to clear the deck of America Last rules and regulations imposed by the Biden-Harris regime and will prevent our economy from taking a $1.34 trillion hit.
The House Rules Committee strongly defended the necessity of the legislation, citing the unprecedented scale of executive rulemaking during Biden's final months. They emphasized that the sheer volume of last-minute regulations justifies the streamlined approach proposed in the bill.
Biggs, currently serving his fifth House term, has positioned himself as a leading voice against regulatory overreach. His political career continues to advance as he pursues Arizona's 2026 gubernatorial race, building on his experience as former chair of the House Freedom Caucus.
The House passage represents a significant step in Republican efforts to reshape the regulatory landscape crafted during Biden's presidency. The EPA's substantial contribution to regulatory costs has become a focal point for lawmakers seeking to reduce government oversight.
The close vote margin highlights the partisan divide on regulatory policy, with most Democrats opposing the streamlined approach to regulation removal. The bill's future remains uncertain as it moves to the Senate, where its fate will largely depend on the chamber's current leadership.
These developments occur against the backdrop of broader Republican initiatives to scale back federal regulations, particularly those implemented during presidential transitions.
The Midnight Rules Relief Act, spearheaded by Representative Andy Biggs, cleared the House with narrow support, aiming to expedite the removal of Biden administration regulations implemented during his final days in office. The legislation seeks to modify existing procedures by allowing simultaneous repeal of multiple regulations, targeting approximately 1,400 rules estimated to cost nearly $2 trillion. As the bill moves forward, its success depends on Senate action, where previous attempts at similar regulatory reform faced significant obstacles under Democratic leadership.
