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Boehner backs effort to kill EPA 'endangerment finding'
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12/17/09 02:38 PM ET
House Minority Leader John Boehner (R-Ohio) on Thursday endorsed efforts to overturn EPA's recent finding that greenhouse gases threaten humans, a finding that paves the way for rules to limit emissions from power plants, cars and other sources.
"Republicans stand united against this EPA ruling, because it is a job-killer," he said.
Rep. Joe Barton (R-Texas) – the top Republican on the Energy and Commerce Committee – and several others plan to offer a formal “resolution of disapproval” to negate EPA’s "endangerment finding."
Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) is leading the effort on the Senate side. A formal resolution of disapproval is a rarely used tool allowed under the Congressional Review Act that provides a way for Congress to overturn regulations.
But such a resolution faces an uphill fight -- even if it passed both chambers, the resolution would require President Obama’s signature.
Sen. John Kerry (D-Mass.), a strong proponent of greenhouse gas cuts, reiterated his call Thursday for Congress to pass a climate bill in order to impose emissions curbs on its terms – not EPA’s.
“The Obama Administration is fiercely committed to climate action, and their endangerment finding sent Congress a clear signal: get moving. If Congress won’t legislate, the EPA will regulate,” said Kerry in a prepared statement. He is crafting a Senate climate bill with Sens. Joe Lieberman (I-Conn.) and Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.).
EPA rules would not include “job protections and investment incentives” that lawmakers can provide, he added.
"Republicans stand united against this EPA ruling, because it is a job-killer," he said.
Rep. Joe Barton (R-Texas) – the top Republican on the Energy and Commerce Committee – and several others plan to offer a formal “resolution of disapproval” to negate EPA’s "endangerment finding."
Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) is leading the effort on the Senate side. A formal resolution of disapproval is a rarely used tool allowed under the Congressional Review Act that provides a way for Congress to overturn regulations.
But such a resolution faces an uphill fight -- even if it passed both chambers, the resolution would require President Obama’s signature.
Sen. John Kerry (D-Mass.), a strong proponent of greenhouse gas cuts, reiterated his call Thursday for Congress to pass a climate bill in order to impose emissions curbs on its terms – not EPA’s.
“The Obama Administration is fiercely committed to climate action, and their endangerment finding sent Congress a clear signal: get moving. If Congress won’t legislate, the EPA will regulate,” said Kerry in a prepared statement. He is crafting a Senate climate bill with Sens. Joe Lieberman (I-Conn.) and Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.).
EPA rules would not include “job protections and investment incentives” that lawmakers can provide, he added.
